Brokerages hunt for talent as clients surge and profits soar

Brokerages in China are on a broad-based hiring spree to capitalize on booming local stock markets and a surge in new clients and trading activity.

The central bank's surprise interest rates cut on Nov 21 and the Stock Connect scheme, which opened earlier that week, allowing direct trading of Hong Kong and Shanghai stocks on each other's bourse, has fueled an influx of retail investors and a jump in trading volumes, while a resumption of new mainland share listings this year has brought underwriting fees back to life for larger brokers.

In recent months, demand for staff from brokerages has increased by around 20 percent, said Chen Xia, a headhunter at Unique.