Regulation and the digital transformation driving recruitment
The number of corporate insolvencies is rising, and economic prospects remain bleak, yet the financial sector appears to be thriving. According to a newly released study by recruitment firm Robert Half, 93% of the surveyed financial service providers and banks plan to hire staff in the first half of 2025. The biannual survey, conducted in July 2024, included 100 decision-makers and HR managers from the financial services industry across Germany.
New back office positions
The majority of respondents (59%) reported plans to expand their teams by creating new positions, while only 34% aim to fill vacancies to maintain staffing levels. Financial service providers appear to have the greatest demand outside of client advisory roles. According to Robert Half, 34% of the positions sought are in finance and accounting.
Another 32% of openings are in data and analytics, highlighting the growing importance of data-driven decision-making. Around 25% of planned hires are in assistance, back office, and operations, reflecting the ongoing focus on operational efficiency. Additionally, 18% of respondents indicated a need for new staff in compliance, regulation, and governance, which Robert Half sees as a clear response to increasing regulatory demands in the financial sector.
The emphasis on data analysis and compliance clearly shows how the industry is prioritising both innovation and regulatory stability.
Emine Yilmaz, Robert Half
„Financial sector companies have long been caught between rising regulatory demands and the pressure of digital transformation,“ comments Emine Yilmaz, Vice President at Robert Half for Germany, France, and Switzerland. She further notes that the demographic shift makes it easy to understand why financial firms are experiencing an increased need for staff. „The emphasis on data analysis and compliance clearly shows how the industry is prioritising both innovation and regulatory stability,“ Yilmaz says.
This demand is reflected in the qualifications financial firms seek in potential candidates. Among the most sought-after skills are multilingual abilities, advanced PowerPoint expertise, and knowledge of Basel/Solvency II regulations, as well as ESG topics. However, financial firms and banks face a dilemma: while regulatory demands are rising, expertise in these areas remains scarce even in 2025.
