GUEST COMMENT: I am an M&A banker who's determined to work at Barclays Capital

I'm an experienced banker who's spent seven years in M&A at a large global firm and a couple of boutiques. Before that, I spent a few years working for a Big 4 accountancy firm. I'm looking to move on in my career, and Barclays Capital is where I want to move on to. Here's why:

1) They're hiring. Although they don't appear to have many (any) front office jobs advertised on their website, Barclays is supposedly hiring in M&A (according to press reports). This is a definite positive.

2) They're in a solid financial position. Barclays has a 2 trillion balance sheet and a market cap of around 40bn - recovered substantially from the lows of January 2009. It's also avoided taking money from the British government.

3) They have a strong outlook. The current financial position, the outstanding experienced management and the acquisition of the investment-banking and trading divisions of Lehman Brothers, have put Barclays in a strong market position. They are therefore well placed to further enhance their current performance during the slow but certain recovery of the markets.

4) They're British. Events of the past few years have made me hesitant about working for US houses, or houses of any other origin for that matter. In the current circumstances, I'd rather work for a British firm. Also, over the past years, I have found myself appreciating the British values and culture more than ever before. Although investment banks tend to be extremely multicultural, I believe that banks like Barclays and HSBC still represent these values at their core.

5) They're based in London. There are several advantages to working here and in the head office. London is one of the most important financial centres in the world, and is strategically well-positioned to allow a firm to grow its American business while taking advantage of events in EMEA and beyond. Furthermore, my family home is in Kent. Having my base in Canary Wharf could allow me to spend an extra 30 minutes or more with my two beautiful young daughters. Priceless !