Optimism in the financial services sector increases

The CBI's Financial Services Survey, which polls bankers, fund managers and traders each quarter, reports that 53% of companies in March expected employment to rise over the coming quarter while only 5% predicted a fall. The balance of 48% was the most positive since 1989.

The most optimistic group were fund managers, with a balance of 61% expecting growth, followed by securities traders and bankers. General insurers recorded a drop in sentiment.