Mega-hiring laid bare at Macquarie

Macquarie Bank released its results today. They reveal a 15% increase in headcount over the past six months, amounting to an additional 1,900 people.

Admittedly, this is partly attributable to acquisitions: this month, Macquarie finalised the purchase of Sal Oppenheim's cash equities sales and research, equity derivatives, and equity structured products businesses, bringing on 140 staff in the process. In January, it completed the acquisition of Delaware Investments, with 583 people. In December it purchased Blackmont Capital, with another 130 people, and Fox-Pitt Kelton Cochran Caronia Waller, with another 267 people.

However, that still leaves 780 new Macquarie employees who were added organically - albeit many of them in the US. Nor does the Australian bank appear to have finished hiring yet. It plans additional acquisition and says that it wants to ramp up its debt team in Asia.