Home to twelve million people, London is Europe's largest city and one of the most important financial centres in the whole world - in fact it is widely considered to share first place with New York.
London's Finance Industry
It should come as no surprise then, that Banking is one of the most important employment markets that London has to offer, and that it is in fact the destination for many ambitious Financial Industry professionals. Most of the city's banking roles are concentrated in and around the City of London district, or the 'Square Mile', as it is known. Since the scope of London's Financial sector is so broad, there are a wealth of different opportunities available to professionals, even those without Finance-related degrees. For example there are roles in research, IT or sales and marketing.
Salaries in the Banking Industry
Rates of pay tend be above average in this sector, with senior Financial Specialists frequently earning six-figure salaries. Starting salaries for graduate staff are also reasonable, with most beginning at around £25K per year plus benefits. Although candidates should be aware that the cost of living in London is much higher than other parts of the country.
Recruitment in London Banking and Finance
The City of London is home to a number of specialist recruitment agencies - from sub-sectors of big chains, to independent specialists. If you are a candidate, these consultants can provide sound advice on the sector, and on how to market your skills. Employers often make use of recruitment services for searching out and screening some of the best talent the industry has to offer.
London's Financial sector has suffered some difficulties in recent years, and there have been some subsequent redundancies; however there are still plenty of new opportunities for ambitious professionals eager to prove their worth in this industry.