New York may be experiencing a hiring crunch but just a few states away hiring in retail banking is strong.
Both regional and international banks are hiring workers by the dozens or hundreds in Ohio. KeyCorp Bank, which added 850 employees in Northeast Ohio in 2011, is trying to fill 390 positions. Jobs are spread throughout the bank's branch network as well as its corporate banking business. Key added 117 branches across the country over the past two years.
Similarly, Huntington Bank opened 18 branches in the greater Cleveland area and will open another 12 over the next several months. The bank will add 65 positions in 2011, including tellers, managers, analysts and portfolio managers.
What's happening in Ohio seems contrary to a general national trend: Many banks right now, such as Bank of America, are retooling their branch strategy and shuttering locations.
Still, J.P. Morgan continues to expand in the region – it recently built a mortgage operations center in Cleveland. (The Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Rise to the Top (FINS)
Pamela J. Craig, the chief financial officer at Accenture, got ahead by taking different assignments within the company, proof that hopping between firms isn't essential to reaching the top.
Blankfein Down (WSJ)
Don't cry for Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein. His bonus got cut last year, but he still received $7 million in restricted shares for his work in 2011. That's down from $12.6 million in 2010.
Shutting Down (Bloomberg)
It's a rough time for small U.S. brokerages right now, many of which are shutting their doors as weak markets squeezed profits.
Hong Kong Protocol (Deal Journal)
Laid-off bankers in Hong Kong are probably the most fortune of the pink-slipped. They get pro-rated payments of promised bonuses even if they're fired.
Hiring Flat (Pensions&Investments)
Institutional manager hiring in 2011 was roughly flat from the year before. Institutional funds hired 2,342 in 2011, down slightly from 2,354 in 2010.
Stepping Down (DealBook)
In an unsurprising move, Barbara Desoer, head of Bank of America's home loan units, is retiring and will not be replaced. The mortgage debacle is still coming under fire from regulators.
Making Bank (Here is the City)
Here's a breakdown of Wall Street executives by firm and their 2011 pay. Don't be surprised if it angers you.
Ogling the Oracle (WSJ)
Warren Buffett isn't just good at investing. He's also good at offering prime photo opportunities that include "Home Alone" references.
Buzz Around the Office
Five young accordion players from the Kum Song School in Pyongyang, North Korea, performing A-ha's "Take on Me."
List of the Day: How to Talk Your Way Into a Job
When you're looking for a job, what you say is only as important as how you say it.
1. Present yourself as optimistic and positive.
2. Show you are willing to learn and improve.
3. Smile – everyone likes to work with happy people.
(Source: Glassdoor.com)