The number of confirmed job offers within financial services sector rose by 16% last month, according to research from City pre-employment firm Powerchex.

The research shows 82% more job offers made last month compared to February in investment banking.

Meanwhile, stockbroker firms and investment management firms also considerably increased recruitment levels, up 73% and 56% respectively, while there were 23% more IT contractors placements in financial services than the previous month.

However, recruitment at hedge funds and insurance firms was down 7%.

Alexandra Kelly, managing director and founder of Powerchex, and also MD of HireRight’s pre-employment screening operations in EMEA, says: “This is the second consecutive month that we have seen an increase in recruitment levels within financial services.

“This is especially good news for jobseekers, not least because they have not had a huge amount to smile about over the past few months. I am also cautiously hopeful that the market for IT contractors within FS is improving.”