Citigroup, DBS and other big banks are hiring again as demand for coders soars
- Major financial institutions in Hong Kong and Singapore are competing for tech talent, especially mobile app designers and data scientists
- The recruitment plans underscore how banks see technology investment as a priority even as the coronavirus pandemic hammers economies
A hiring slowdown at banks in Asia is beginning to thaw, driven by demand for coders. Lenders including DBS Group Holding, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp and Citigroup are adding workers to their technology departments in the region despite the economic downturn.
Financial institutions are especially hungry for mobile app designers and data scientists who can build systems to crunch figures and move business online, according to recruiters.
“Over the past few months, we have certainly seen the banking sector slow down its hiring due to Covid-19,” said Bethan Howell, a Hong Kong-based consultant at financial recruiter Selby Jennings. “However, we are now seeing the hiring freezes thawing and with this, a large amount of roles” emerging in technology, Howell said.
The recruitment plans are a promising sign for workers in an industry that remains under pressure to reduce headcount, and underscore how banks see technology investment as a priority even as the coronavirus pandemic hammers economies.
These show how Asia has emerged faster from the months-long lockdown, giving room for lenders in the region to step up recruiting.