City professionals with the bonus blues still likely to walk

The latest figures from eFinancialCareers.com, the UK-based global financial careers website, reveal that the majority of UK City bankers would still consider changing jobs if they are dissatisfied with their year-end bonuses.

According to a poll of 1,874 City professionals, 52% said that if they donít get the year-end bonus they feel they deserve, they would look for a better paying job at another bank.

However, after a year that saw the US sub-prime crisis take its toll on major banks including UBS, Citigroup & Merrill Lynch, how realistic is it for professionals to assume there are roles out there to move into?

Sarah Butcher, editor of eFinancialCareers.com, said:

ìFinancial professionals seem to be optimistic about the prospects of finding work elsewhere, should they look for it. After a week of disastrous bank results, letís hope that the packages being proposed by the US to kick-start the US economy bear out this optimism.î

The air of increasing realism is, however, reflected in the responses of nearly a quarter (24.7%) of UK bankers polled who say they will rage inwardly and carry on regardless in their current positions despite disappointing bonuses.

This more cautious note amongst UK bankers is in stark contrast to that being shown in the Far East where 72% of bankers in Singapore and 67% in Hong Kong would look to walk if they were dissatisfied with their bonus ñ with only 13% in Singapore and 14% in Hong Kong being prepared to ìcarry on regardlessî.

Sarah Butcher adds:

îAttitudes amongst Far East bankers appear to be more in line with the attitudes of UK bankers twelve months ago than today ñ and reflect the high levels of confidence being experienced in the region that is currently a primary driver of the global economy.î