Carol Cheung, manager - financial services, Robert Walters Hong Kong

The banking and financial services' operational space remained active in the first two quarters of the year. We saw a rise in the volume of opportunities in compliance, internal audit, risk management, finance, operations and project management.

The areas of compliance, risk management and internal audit saw the highest demand due to the tightened regulatory environment. Employers sought candidates who were able to keep abreast of the latest developments in local and international regulations and have the ability to interpret those developments and assess their business impact.

In addition, experienced operational risk managers, local candidates with backgrounds in financial crime investigation and anti-money-laundering (AML), and equities compliance professionals were highly sought-after due to a limited talent pool. As a result, candidates with at least three years of solid experience in AML, and practical knowledge in relevant ordinances, will have an advantage in applying for new positions. Strong candidates with a proven track record can command salary increases of up to 30 per cent when moving jobs.