Financial news Ireland – job market news, recruitment & career trends in Ireland for the finance sector

If the prospect of a pay rise in the Irish financial sector last year seemed like an implausible ambition, it's not entirely beyond the realms of possibility in 2010. Nearly 30% of financial services employers in Ireland surveyed by recruiters Premier Group expect to raise salaries by as much as 10% this year. Don't get too excited, though – the majority (62.8%) intend to keep pay static, while a... Read more

As last week's news demonstrated, there have been few positives to take from the onset of NAMA. However, one up side is that credit analysts have found themselves in increased demand and (amazingly in this market) managed to secure pay rises. According to a study from Irish financial headhunters Lincoln Search & Selection, demand from domestic banks, as well as international players, has led to the humble credit analyst securing... Read more

Ireland's financial sector is still in the midst of a jobs crisis, which could eventually see the loss of 10,000 positions, according to the country's finance union. The headline figure from the Irish Bank Officials Association (IBOA) could, of course, create panic among Ireland's financial services employees, but the majority of these roles may have already been lost. However, Bank of Scotland (Ireland)'s decision to axe 750 jobs last week, and the... Read more

After a torrid 2009 for Ireland's financial services industry, it's still slightly difficult to see a light at the end of the tunnel. However, here’s our considered opinion on which sectors will fare better than others next year. 2010 could be a good year for: Fund administration: Arguably one of the largest employers within Ireland's financial services industry, fund administration has shifted from recruitment frenzy to hiring freeze over the last... Read more

Two words can be used to largely sum up the financial services jobs market in Ireland this year – hiring freeze. While it’s true that the vast majority of sectors suffered, some managed to fare well in the face of adversity. 2009 has been a good year for… Insurance: The number of new jobs created might not be astronomical, but the fact that Ireland has continued to attract new insurance entrants to... Read more

We've all seen variations on the list of common questions interviewers ask, but how much have you thought about what questions you should ask a potential employer? The best interviews are really conversations, as well they should be. You want to know if the position is the right fit - just as much as the company does. After all, the work you do makes up a good portion of your waking... Read more

If, as many in the recruitment sector will tell you, the situation is looking up for Ireland's financial services jobs market then it's a very slow process. However, adding to the gradually growing tide of optimism is the fact that there were more vacancies last month than at any other point during 2009. The number of new job vacancies in September rose by 31% on August, according to recruiters Premier Group's... Read more

The former head of credit investments at Anglo Irish Bank has resurfaced at the local subsidiary of Nigerian firm, Afribank, making him one of the few senior members of the beleaguered institution to find gainful employment elsewhere. Andrew Curtin moved to the post of managing director at ANP International (ANPI) – an IFSC-based subsidiary of Afribank – in September, having formerly held the post of associate director and head of credit... Read more

The astronomical growth of Dublin's financial sector over the last few years was largely down to its ability to attract huge numbers of back office jobs within international organisations. Now, however, its appeal appears to have diminished. The turmoil surrounding Ireland's financial sector, particularly within its domestic banks, is no secret and now it appears to have damaged its reputation on the global stage. Dublin has slipped by 13 places –... Read more

Taoiseach Brian Cowen's impassioned attack on bankers' bonuses is certainly in keeping with the attitude of other politicians gathering for the G20 summit in Pittsburgh this week, but it is really reflective if the current situation in Ireland? Cowen used the words "crazy" and "obscene" to describe the figures handed out to senior banking executives in Ireland in an interview with the Sunday Independent, saying the argument that these payments were... Read more

The Irish financial services jobs market has exhibited few signs of recovery throughout the year. Although it looks better now than at the end of Q1 2009, new opportunities are still few and far between and jobseekers are warned they could face a pay cut should they secure a new position. Summer, such as it was, has failed to thaw the recruitment freeze in most areas, but the coming months could... Read more

The number of new jobs created by international financial services firms in Ireland has been on a downward trajectory for a couple of years, but hit a five-year low in 2008. Obviously, the economic situation has got a lot worse this year, but it could be 2010 before the real impact is felt. Last year, 5,609 jobs were created in Ireland by international financial services firms, according to figures from the... Read more

Figures from Ireland's Central Statistic Office suggest (once again) that it's not completely bleak in the financial services sector. Average earnings have slipped by over 11% on last year, but there are still more people working in the industry than at the end of 2008. As the chart below shows, average earnings (including bonuses) were €30.37 in Q1 2009, compared to €34.17 at the same point last year – a drop... Read more