It's true - banks ARE hiring in the Middle East this year

While a number of international banks have hinted at hiring plans in the Middle East this year, few have specified exactly what these are likely to be.

Emirates Business 24/7 has quizzed a number of international banks in the region and confirms what many have suspected - hiring will happen, but massive recruitment drives are unlikely.

The full article is available here, but the edited highlights include:

Standard Chartered: Intending to double its relationship manager team in the region over the next two years (a function it's already been bolstering), which will equate to around 180 hires.

"We are actively hiring, looking to grow our relationship managers in the UAE by 40 per cent this year," said Chris de Briun, head of consumer banking for the UAE at Standard Chartered.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch: Has doubled its equities and research team over the last two years and plans to make further hires in this sector. Also looking to expand its Saudi operation.

Royal Bank of Scotland: Simon Penney, the bank's newly appointed head of global banking and markets for the MENA, says RBS has "very ambitious" revenue targets for 2010. This means it's likely to add to its investment banking operation this year, and also has plans to recruit for its Qatar office.

Lloyds TSB: Focusing on bolstering the number of locals it employs and intends to grow its emiratisation figure from 39% in 2009 to 43% by the end of this year.