You can now add another place to your list of where to find a retail finance job: South Africa.
The country added 53,000 jobs in finance, real estate, insurance and related businesses in the third quarter. Total employment in the finance industry increased in November, for the fourth month in a row, by 0.7% to 1.63 million.
Banks like Standard Bank Group, FirstRand, Nedbank Group and Barclays' Absa Group are trying to entice the 9 million South Africans who don't have bank accounts to use their services.
Smaller lenders, like Capitec and First National Bank, are also hiring. Capitec hires around 200 new employees every month, and First National Bank has brought on more than 800 for its branches.
"Banking employment will continue to grow next year," a Johannesburg economist told Bloomberg. "There is strong growth in the unrecorded economy and it's their banking needs that are being tapped into."
It's not just retail businesses that need folks. JPMorgan's corporate bank has been hiring in the country, and bankers with mining and natural resources experience, as well as currency traders, are in hot demand.
Continuing to Question (FINS)
The House Financial Services Committee interviewed former MF Global Chief Risk Officers Michael Roseman and Michael Stockman ahead of today's hearing on the company's collapse. Neither is expected to testify.
Cutting Jobs (DealBook)
Crédit Agricole will ax up to 2,350 jobs across the bank, with 1,700 targeted in the corporate and investment bank. Like many of its competitors, Credit Agricole is laying off talent in light of the eurozone crisis.
Fearsome Clawbacks (Fox Business)
If you planned to head out the door at Jefferies collectng your bonus, think again. A new plan says you'll have to give back your bonus if you go to a competitor in 2012.
Triumphant Return (WSJ)
After taking a break for exhaustion and stress, Lloyds Banking Group Chief Executive Antonio Horta-Osario will return to the team on Jan. 9. Here's hoping he doesn't have too many relatives staying with him over the holiday break.
Shedding Partners (Bloomberg)
Goldman Sachs has lost 37 partners so far in 2011, some from voluntary resignations. Milton Berlinski, global head of the financial sponsors business, will leave the firm by the end of the year. As Wall Street reporter Heidi Moore noted on Twitter, 'To lose one partner, Goldman Sachs, may be considered a misfortune. To lose 37 looks like carelessness."
Raking It In (Poets & Quants)
A new record's been set for highest MBA starting salary: One lucky London Business School grad just scored a $552,681 job in Australia. Half a million dollars and great surfing? Some guys get all the luck.
Best Places (FINS)
Goldman Sachs, Bain and McKinsey all ranked high on Glassdoor's list of the best places to work in 2012.
Season's Greetings (Daily Mail)
One hedge fund manager is doing right – extremely right – by his employees. He ran up a bar tab of over 70,000 pounds for just him and nine staff members at their Christmas fete. And they say life in the City is drying up.
Buzz Around the Office
Person of the Year (Time)
Time's Person of the Year goes to…the protester. At least it wasn't Kate Middleton, who was somehow runner-up.
List of the Day: Job-Related Smart Phone Apps
If 2012 truly becomes the year of mobile, here is a head start on the best job applications.
1. Business Card Reader
2. Documents to Go
3. Good Jobs
(Source: AOL Jobs)