As the global economic downturn continues to affect countries across the world and particularly members of the eurozone, financial products and services are still being affected.

In 2012, fees for investment-banking services dropped by 3% to $74.8 billion.

This marks the slowest period since 2009 for investment-banking fees, covering everything from capital markets underwriting to M&A advice. There was a rise in the fourth quarter of the year, a 13% increase on the same quarter in 2011.

In Europe, where the single currency is still in trouble, fees took a 17% tumble from 2011 to $17.1 billion and Asia Pacific saw an 18% decline. There was some good news, however, as the Americas saw their fees rise 6% from 2011 and Japan by 18% over the same period.

1% decline in investment fees 

Financial sponsors and their portfolio companies were also hit during the year, recording a 1% decline in investment fees over the year to $10 billion. Leveraged-buyout fees comprised 37% of financial-sponsor-related fees throughout 2012 (a similar story to that seen back in 2008 when the financial crisis began). The Carlyle Group LP (and related entities) proved to be a big success story for the year, seeing an impressive 43% increase in investment-banking fees to $396 million. Goldman Sachs also had an excellent year, boasting 7.5% of financial-sponsor-related fees during the year, making it the industry leader for 2012.

Debt capital markets made up 30% of overall investment-banking fees

Debt capital markets made up 30% of overall investment-banking fees during the year, boosting its totals by 26% to $22.5 billion. However, M&A advisory fees were another casualty, dropping by 12% to $20.5 billion. Equity capital markets saw their slowest annual period since 2003, recording a 17% decrease to $15.6 billion. Meanwhile, the industrials, financials, materials and energy and power sectors made up 63% of the overall global fees in 2012.

JP Morgan was the year's big winner. The company took $5.6 billion in fees, which translated as 7.5% of the overall share. RBC Capital Markets also ranked well, gaining 0.8 points (the biggest increase). Barclays, Wells Fargo and Citi also followed closely behind in improving their share. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, however, saw a 6.5% decline in its fees to $4.9 billion.

Morgan Stanley took 10.7% of investment-banking fees in the technology sector

JP Morgan's success saw it lead the fee rankings for eight sectors for the year. Deutsche Bank did well in agency and government underwriting, with 6.3%, while Morgan Stanley took 10.7% of investment-banking fees in the technology sector for 2012.

Global Investment Banking Review Full Year 2012 - Written by Ross Stokes

To search our current jobs: Accountancy & Finance Jobs   Private Equity Jobs  Capital Markets Jobs   Venture Capital Jobs   Real Estate Jobs   Interim & Temporary Jobs   Corporate Finance Jobs

To contact one of our specialist consultants call 0207 492 0700 or email: enquiries@circlesquare.co.uk

To download the Finance & Accountancy Salary Guidelines 2015            

If you would rather view the salary guide online: Salary Survey 2015

Officially, a recession is characterised by a contraction of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for two consecutive quarters, so even if figures due out on Friday show that the UK economy shrank in the fourth quarter of last year, the country will not, officially, be in recession. Nevertheless, with analysts predicting a contraction of GDP between 0.1% and 0.4% in the final three months of 2012, the news for the economy is hardly ideal.

Teetering on the Brink of a Triple-Dip Recession

Recent poor results from the manufacturing and retail sectors in the UK, combined with heavy snowfall across the country, which is expected to badly affect high-street spending, have left the country teetering on the brink of a triple-dip recession. In fact, if Friday's figures are as expected, they may indicate that the UK has been in recession all along, with the growth and contraction quarters simply part of the recession phase of the cycle.

The UK is one of the Countries in the most Troubled Group in a Triple-Speed Global Economy

Whatever the outcome on Friday, the fact remains that the UK, along with several other leading economies, is one of the countries in the most troubled group in a triple-speed global economy. Japan and most of the countries in southern Europe are in recession, parts of northern Europe, Brazil, Canada and the United States have returned to economic growth, albeit slow, while several emerging economies continue to forge ahead.

 China, now the second-largest economy in the world

The Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, recently called for the People's Bank of China to promote "healthy" economic growth after the Chinese economy expanded by just 7.8% in 2012, compared with 9.2% in 2011 and 10.3% in 2010. The figures from China, now the second-largest economy in the world, still compare very favourably indeed with those from the UK, the seventh largest. The UK economy expanded by just 1.8% in 2010, just 0.76% in 2011 and contracted by 0.38% in 2012.

The Bank of England has injected a total of 375 billion into the UK economy via its quantitative easing programme.

The Bank recently reported that there had been a significant increase in the amount of credit made available to consumers and businesses, but quantitative easing must come to an end at some point, leaving a fragile economy to fend for itself. That's unlikely to be the only risk facing the UK economy in the months and years to come. Global investors' perception of the eurozone must, at some point, fall in line with the economic data from the region, which is poor and inflated speculation in Western governments' bonds must, likewise, come to an end.

Triple dip three speed global economy

The newspapers are full of stories about the Eurozone.

One minute, EU mandarins are saying that the mounting threats to the stability of the single currency have been solved. The next minute, levels of unemployment within the Eurozone are reaching record highs.

Certainly this has been the case towards the end of 2012 and retail sales also plummeted within the same period.

The Eurozone became an economy that was rapidly plunging to ever lower depths.

Official figures recently released have finally clarified the extent of the problem, despite the eurocrats in Brussels weakly proclaiming that there is no crisis.

The net result is a clear indicator of the Eurozone's continuing recession, with even Germany still expecting to have shrunk towards the end of 2012 as it's export figures crashed. 

This latest release of dire data comes after the European Commission's President Jose Manuel Barroso, released a statement to say that the threat against the euro had been essentially overcome.

He said that the question of 2013 would no longer be whether the euro was likely to fail or not. He stated that Mario Draghi, the head of the EuropeanCentral Bank, had greatly helped to put Europe back on the track towards recovery by pledging to buy the bonds of struggling governments (or at least those who vowed to deliver sweeping economic reforms and come cap in hand for a bailout). 

However, Barroso might well be in the minority as far as his optimism is concerned. The crisis in Europe certainly does seem to be escalating and economists are still in doubt over whether the Eurozone could realistically remain intact in the face of mounting social and economic pressures.

The Eurozone unemployment figures hit 11.8pc in November

Economic indicators also look grim, with retail sales dropping 2.6pc year on year.

Market analysts are predicting that demand will remain depressed as the private sector works hard to pay off its debts rather than borrowing and investing its way out of the mess. Even the largest economy in the single-currency area, Germany, has finally experienced economic contraction at the end of 2012, with exports dropping by 3.4pc during November, further compounding the wider problem.

The prospect of a weaker Germany in 2013 is a risky one, particularly with regard to Eurozone projections for deficits and growth, according to analysts at BNY Mellon.

The same analysts believe that 2013 will be an even tougher year for Germany and the entire single-currency zone. A further funding crisis is to be expected, although the scale cannot yet be anticipated. And although the European Central Bank's plans to use monetary policy to support the economy were greeted positively by the market, many economists believe that this type of aid is insufficient to drive the Eurozone back to recovery on its own.

In fact, many believe that Europe is going more deeply into recession, without the central bank or individual states yet taking meaningful action.

The subsequent reforms are expected to happen in a prolonged and painful way, with falling wages, growing unemployment and ineffective monetary policy all combining to devastating effect.

This belief is certainly held by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, who doubt that the single-currency area can last for as long as its supporters suggest. At best, it seems that a long slog is ahead, but realistically the likelihood of that recovery occurring is unclear.

Is the Eurozone Still Working?

Written by David Archer 

To search our current jobs

To contact one of our specialist consultants call 0207 492 0700 or email:

enquiries@circlesquare.co.uk

To download the Finance & Accountancy Salary Guidelines 2013              

If you would rather view the salary guide online

 Accountancy & Finance Salary Guide 2013

Heard the One about the Chicken Crossing the Playground?

Yes, as a Junior Manager I told bad jokes. 

Lame jokes never leave us and such classics are still just as popular in crackers or on ice-cream sticks as they are in the playground.

What's interesting, however, is the fact that your team might actually laugh if you were to tell such a joke. But would it be because you're funny or because their success relies on you liking them?

New Managers

Many new managers fall into the trap of over-using humour. It's an easy thing to do as a junior manager as you're getting to grips with the notion of managing a group of people, some of whom may be more experienced or older than you. It's very human to attempt to cover a sense of discomfort with a liberal application of attempted humour.

I was asked to write down both my personal and work goals at work today. With a piece of card and a pen, I sat at my desk wondering why I was doing this. After delving into the depths of my thoughts and imagination I managed to write everything I wanted both in my personal life and at work in the future. 

Why do we Create Future Goals

This then led me to wonder, why do we create future goals, do they work and how do we achieve them? Do they work, the answer undoubtedly is yes. Would you set out a long journey without knowing at least the direction of which you are going or your destination? Probably not!   Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn your vision of this future into reality.   

Setting Goals

The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You'll also quickly spot the distractions that can, so easily, lead you astray.   

 So goal setting is an important task, but how easy is it to achieve these goals? 

Here are 10 ways to create and achieve your goals. 

Good luck!    

• Make all your goals real by first identifying and then focusing on specific, tangible targets for what you want.   

• Maintain at least one clearly defined goal for every major interest and role in your life.     

• Set your goals so they are directly aligned with your life’s mission, purpose and passion.      

• Create goals high enough to ignite your spirit and inspire you to take action. 

• Write down all your goals in specific, measurable detail.    

Absolutely, unconditionally commit to hitting each of your targets.     

• Share your goals with others for mutual accomplishment.     

• Set a whole series of related daily, weekly and long-term goals, complete with starting times and completion dates.       

• Take 10 minutes every day to imagine how terrific it will feel when your goals are actually realised.      

• Take an action step toward the attainment of at least one goal every day.

When there seems to be large amounts of Bulge Bracket Bankers being thrown overboard, or due to uncertain conditions talented bankers are jumping ship before being asked to walk the plank! Hence making competition tough when looking for that next opportunity!

So how does a Bulge Bracket Banker shine brighter then the rest of their talented competition?   

Below are some very basic, maybe even obvious, but none the less top tips on how to be the most wanted banker paving the streets of Mayfair or Bank, the Boutique Banking havens.

Think of finding your next professional home like dating. 

 - You need to appear to be wanted by everyone, however not arrogant and aloof. It is also vital to be enthusiastic yet not desperate.

Keep your CV short and simple – advertise your achievements!  

 - Your CV is your promotional tool and your personal brochure. What would you want to read if you were looking at 40 CV’s a day – keep it relevant! 

Ensure to build a good relationship with your recruiter make sure they have all the tools to sell you correctly

 - a face to face meeting is essential for you. This will ensure your consultant will be able to talk about you with knowledge and animation. Remember that your consultant might have a very influential relationship with the client and therefore could be very beneficial when closing the deal and getting that contract with your name on it.

Register with 3 agencies MAX!   

 - This will help you keep tabs on where your CV is going and be certain to know exactly which company your CV is being sent too. If your CV goes out to too many companies; you can appear desperate and will eventuate in not receiving interviews.

 - Demand to be prepared from your Recruitment Consultant before your interview. 

 - Even though you may be an interview genius, your Consultant might have that one interview tip that could put you that little bit in front of the rest! “It only takes a horse’s nose to win the race”.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!  

You can never over research!

 - Be Suited and Booted and have a good hair cut and clean nails!  

 - This may be seem obvious (so you have thought?!) – However a good suit is essential – this will also make you feel more confident and relaxed.   

 - Relax and be your self, show them you’re human!!  

 - People want to work with people they can get on with…. Simple!

Hope this helps you secure your next Bulge Bracket Banking Job!  Happy interviewing…. 

To search our current jobs

To contact one of our specialist consultants call 0207 492 0700 or email: enquiries@circlesquare.co.uk

OUTPLACEMENT SUPPORT

If you have been made redundant and are looking for outplacement support, Circle Square now provides an outplacement

We are hired by companies who wish to provide an outplacement service to soften the blow of redundancy and also by executives

• Many job seekers believe they are either too young or too old to be considered for certain jobs. The main reason they end up at the bottom of the pile is the way they present their CV. 
• Those who present themselves as ‘up to date’ or 'tech savvy' WILL have an advantage, regardless of age. 
•  If you are worried that your many years of industry experience - or your complete lack of it - will submarine your chances of getting a job, there are a few things you can do to present
• yourself as a strong candidate. The correct contact information is essential. 

When writing out your work experience in your CV, choose your words wisely. 

A dead giveaway that you're less experienced is when your CV's content is written in sound-bites. While it's not necessarily a bad thing to be short and to the point in a CV, writing that's too short and punchy is likely to point to your age, especially if what you're saying doesn't detail a specific achievement. On the other hand, older job seekers are notorious for using verbose phrases in their CV’s, detailing the different tasks they've been responsible for throughout each position they've held

So……. 

How to Write Your CV

It should be clearly and simply written and should point to true accomplishments. Keep it current and avoid being too formal with your language! Steer clear of old-fashioned terminology like something you’d read on an invitation to an evening at the bowls club. And don’t use Comic Sans or Times New Roman. This is my opinion, I'm no expert in the art of Typography but the use of these i generally consider to be a faux pas……they look dated. 

With the rise in age of retirement and people looking to the older work force, your CV needs to be spot on more than ever! This is a blank canvas that could go on for pages and pages but these few simple steps could go a long way! 

Wise men blog because they have something to say; fools because they have to blog something. 

We hope this helps to present yourself & your CV.

To search our current jobs

Accountancy & Finance Jobs   Private Equity Jobs  Capital Markets Jobs

To contact one of our specialist consultants call 0207 492 0700 or email:

enquiries@circlesquare.co.uk

Our Finance & Accountancy Salary Survey 2015 is now available.

Circle Square Talent is delighted to launch The 2013 Financial & Accountancy Salary Guide for London and the Home Counties...

Previously, we have launched this document in mid January but due to popular demand by a number of decision makers we have agreed to prepare this out five weeks early. Please click the link to download the Circle Square 2013 Salary Guideline

We are also pleased to offer an online version as a requirement was expressed

Finance & Accountancy Salary Survey 2013

Key points about the Financial & Accountancy Salary Guide:    

This is our 7th annual Financial & Accountancy Salary Guide

Each year we have reached a wider audience. Last year we reached 3,278 recipients

This year we expect to reach over 5,000 decision makers        

This definitive Salary report is both more comprehensive and analytical than any of our previous salary guides and relies on more sources than in any one previous version         

Our 6th salary guide in 2012 was confirmed as being used by 129 hiring managers for salary benchmarking purposes – if you do please let us know ·        

This document is also downloadable from our Corporate LinkedIn profile   

Please feel welcome to contact a member of the team on 02074920711 for further information?   

We hope you enjoy the Financial & Accountancy salary Guide.

To search our current jobs

To contact one of our specialist consultants call 0207 492 0700 or email:

enquiries@circlesquare.co.uk

If like me you were in a classroom for the most part of the 90’s, a classroom in a fairly regular British secondary.  In front of you is the remnant of the last teacher to take a Latin class in 15 years, a fairly stern individual . He's taken the time out of his diary to school all of the Year 11’s who are about to do their GCSEs in the art of job seeking.

You have done the tests and multiple choice questionnaires that spew out a list of comical answers of what you should be aiming for in life, cruelly as someone with size 13 feet the suggestion of career in chiropody only added fuel to the fire of teasing.  However now it gets serious…

The Importance of the Covering Letter & CV

His role in this is to impart the importance of the covering letter and how critical it is to have a good CV. More directly related to our discussion here is the process he outlined – which mainly centred around building a database of companies you would like to work for, writing a cover letter and hassling each of the companies in turn until one of them gave you a job. 

The Importance of Networking when Looking for Work

The realisation of late has been the game is still the same but the rules have changed.  In modern uber competitive recruitment there now exists forums and events which encourage this interaction and ‘hassling’ under the banner of networking.  Take away applying to agency ads, or to in house talent banks if you want to beat the queue, use the back door and get networking. 

Even after 5 years of recruiting everyday is a school day at Circle Square Talent and we are not above having  a bit of an open session on what works and doesn't from previous experience of networking with the view to encourage you to do the same.

Networking Tips When Looking For Work

• Be selective about who you need to talk and the manner in which the event is being held.  Some events are set up as business card swapping exchanges others are more discrete.
• Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic and getting across who you really are rather than being just a cv.
• How many times as a recruiter we have invested that little bit more effort in a candidate that we want to help, the same applies as a jobseeker.
• It can be daunting the first time on your own, double up with a friend or support and to offer a different angle of your initial approach but don’t hunt in packs – that’s just plain scary!
• Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals you are given.   These are the lifeblood of your search and the ultimate goal.  When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them. Respect and honour that and your referrals will grow.

If you are a candidate looking for work at the moment, open up your options and take the plunge and start engaging with people it makes the difference for us and trust me it will for you. 

To search our current jobs

Accountancy & Finance Jobs   Private Equity Jobs  Capital Markets Jobs

Venture Capital Jobs   Real Estate Jobs   Interim & Temporary Jobs   Corporate Finance Jobs

To contact one of our specialist consultants call 0207 492 0700 or email: enquiries@circlesquare.co.uk

Our Finance & Accountancy Salary Survey 2015 is now available.

Over the last 4 years we have seen the credibility of the ‘Boutique Investment Bank’ rise from the depths. Depths far far below the most snobbiest of ‘reading spectacle glares’, to a level competing and niching into a space previously owned by the all conquering ‘Bulge brackets’.    

The classic boutiques such as Evercore, Lazard and Rothschild have grown increasingly strong both in numbers and ambition, taking mandates from the major players as they are specialised, competitive and provide a more honest approach to partnership. Bottom line…they care about their bottom line!  Service is naturally better and the desire for longer term business is 100% genuine.   

Another major factor to consider is throughout 08/09/10 top bankers from the traditional big banks have had to reconsider their future, having either being ruthlessly tossed from the comfort of bulging teams and pension pots or realising that the dream may be ending have sought out opportunities in more stable and growing organisations. Obviously plenty of bankers move across to Boutiques for genuine reasons (which are the ones we want), so the amount of talent on offer to these organisations has increased on a pretty big scale. 

This has naturally led to the growth of younger brother and sister boutiques such as Gleacher Shacklock, Arma Partners and Greenhill who have become tier one organisations in their own right due to the calibre of not only the deals they are closing, but also the individuals they are retaining and continuing to hire.   

Naturally too much competition is not healthy as Lexicon found out (present long before 2008, graduated at a similar time to close friend Hawkpoint) having recently been gobbled up by Evercore.  However this is an example of the strength that boutiques are starting to hold in themselves, other examples fall in line with the previously unattainable Bulge Bracket Bankers seeing value in a move to one of these organisations.  In the last three years your average top tier banker has been knocked down a branch or two in the sacred Bulge trust tree and realised, God forbid, they may just get better experience and exposure in a busy, highly credible boutique.  

Circle Square - Financial Recruitment

To search our current jobs

Accountancy & Finance Jobs   Private Equity Jobs  Capital Markets Jobs

Venture Capital Jobs   Real Estate Jobs   Interim & Temporary Jobs   Corporate Finance Jobs

If you're not sure which career move would best suit your skills and experience take a look at our Job Profiles. The profiles provide advice on the qualifications, skills and experience

required for each career option. The job profiles also outline salary expectation, job responsibilities and career progression: M&A Analyst    M&A Associate    M&A Director    M&A Vice President

If you are looking for advice we have a dedicated career advice section. Our advice is not just generic recruitment advice we have tailored advice for each of the recruitment divisions we work in including: 

executive search, accountancy & finance, temporary & interim, Real Estate, private equity, capital markets & M&A Recruitment. 

To contact one of our specialist consultants call 0207 492 0700 or email: enquiries@circlesquare.co.uk