Financial services 'enjoying steady growth'
The financial services sector has continued to enjoy a steady level of growth as the economic situation develops in its favour, according to a new report from PwC and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Over the three months to March, investment intentions and optimism increased from the previous quarter, with business volumes up for the second consecutive quarter.
Life insurance was the only sub-sector not to enjoy higher volumes. However, overall growth was not as strong as expected, partly because business levels in the banking sector did not boom as much as had been expected.
However, a quicker pace of growth is expected over the next quarter of 2014 across most areas of the financial services sector.
Profitability also increased, although more slowly than it had done in the last three months of 2013, with a similar pace of expansion anticipated over the near future.
CBI director for competitive markets Matthew Fell said the development of further competition across the sector is a good sign of its overall health.
"It's also particularly encouraging to see that investment intentions continue to be positive across the board for the second consecutive quarter, strengthening further in some cases. Businesses plan to spend heavily on IT and are scrambling to find new professional staff to meet growth demands," he added.
Some 41 per cent of financial services firms said they felt more optimistic about their overall business situation than they had done three months ago, with just seven per cent describing themselves as less positive, giving a balance of +34 per cent.
Firms expect employment to rise by 46 per cent over the next quarter, suggesting 2014 could be a positive time for jobseekers and financial service professionals currently working but looking for a new role.
PwC financial services leader Kevin Burrowes expressed his optimism for the year ahead.
"Banks need to adopt bold new strategies as they face challenges around regaining trust, legacy issues, regulation and technology. Digital must be at the heart of their business," he added.
Signup to receive the latest discipline specific articles
Related articles
Teaser
TechnologyContent Type
General
19/03/24
Summary
The year 2024 emphasises the crucial role of RegTech — a beacon guiding firms through the evolving global regulatory landscape, enabling them to connect the dots between short-term challenges and
by
Paul Roche
Teaser
TechnologyContent Type
General
19/03/24
Summary
The UK tech sector retains the number 1 spot in Europe and number 3 in the world as sector resilience brings continued growth. With this demand comes stiff competition. London offers a wide range
by
Ghazal Mayahi
Teaser
GeneralContent Type
Career Advice
19/03/24
Summary
Are you considering a change of scenery? Just look at London - an incredibly diverse city, with over 1,600 languages spoken and 300 nationalities represented. At the centre of the UK's 4.2 milli
by
Kelvin Murphy
Related jobs
Salary:
£55,000 - £65,000 per annum
Location:
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Industry
Manufacturing
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£60,000 - £70,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
This acquisitive, PE backed business has more than doubled in size over the past 5 years whilst growing their team to 250 in the UK.
Reference
BBBH179803
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Hannah BulmerAuthor
Hannah BulmerSalary:
£150,000 - £175,000 per annum + equity, bonus and benefits
Location:
London
Industry
Technology
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin executive is working with a PE Backed, International Software business, going through a period of rapid organic growth
Reference
TA 3225
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£180,000 - £200,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
England
Industry
Professional Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin executive search is working with a PE Backed Financial Services business is seeking a Best-In-Class CFO
Reference
TA 3224
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£180,000 - £200,000 per annum + exit bonus, benefits
Location:
London
Industry
Technology
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search has an exciting opportunity for a CFO to join a PE Backed Tech Enabled B2B business.
Reference
TA 3223
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£180,000 - £200,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
West Midlands
Industry
Consumer & Retail
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with an Established multisite wholesale Distribution business
Reference
TA 3222
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£150,000 - £175,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
London
Industry
Consumer & Retail
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with a rapidly growing Fashion Retail business.
Reference
TA 3220
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£150,000 - £175,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
Yorkshire and the Humber
Industry
Business Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin Executive Search has an exciting opportunity for a CFO to join a PE Backed infrastructure business
Reference
TA 3221
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£180,000 - £200,000 per annum + Equity, Bonus and Benefits
Location:
England
Industry
Professional Services
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Executive Search
Salary
£175,000 - £250,000
Job Discipline
Private Equity Executive Search
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Marks Sattin executive Search is working with an international PE-Backed Buy and Build Corporate Services Business.
Reference
TA 3219
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
Executive SearchAuthor
Executive SearchSalary:
£45,000 - £47,000 per annum
Location:
Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Industry
Manufacturing
Qualification
Finalist / Newly qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£40,000 - £50,000
Job Discipline
Newly Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Finance Business Partner // Manufacturing // £45,000
Reference
BBBH179631
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
James MetcalfeAuthor
James MetcalfeSalary:
£45,000 - £50,000 per annum
Location:
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Industry
Manufacturing
Qualification
Fully qualified
Market
Commerce & Industry
Salary
£50,000 - £60,000
Job Discipline
Qualified Finance
Contract Type:
Permanent
Description
Management Accountant // Manufacturing // £50,000
Reference
BBBH179802
Expiry Date
01/01/01
Author
James MetcalfeAuthor
James Metcalfe