7 Key Banking Talent Trends to Watch—and What They Mean for Your Hiring Strategy
The banking industry is undergoing rapid transformation—from compensation concerns to strategic overhauls and shifting business priorities. As recruiters in the Banking & Financial Services space, we’re seeing these trends play out in real time, impacting both employers and candidates. Whether you’re navigating M&A changes, strengthening deposit programs, or rethinking your leadership team, staying ahead of the curve is critical. Here’s what’s shaping the market—and how we can help you respond.
Low Bonuses, High Stakes
Bonuses are in—and many banking professionals are disappointed. Despite solid profitability across the industry, bonus pools have underwhelmed, especially at mid-tier and regional institutions. This disconnect is fueling job searches, with many top performers reevaluating whether their current role is truly rewarding their impact. For employers, this means a potential retention crisis. Now is the time to revisit your comp strategy before your top talent walks out the door.
Read more from Bloomberg on how bonuses are trending downward.
Invested in You? Talent Questions Loyalty Amid Uncertainty
As economic uncertainty lingers, candidates are getting introspective. Bankers are questioning not just their compensation, but whether their employer is genuinely invested in their growth. With reduced strategic spending and a pullback from market investments, many professionals feel like career development has taken a back seat. The result? Rising attrition—and growing interest in institutions that offer stability, opportunity, and real leadership.
Deposits Take Center Stage
With rising rates and increased competition for liquidity, banks are turning their focus back to deposits. We’re seeing a surge in demand for professionals who can lead and scale deposit programs—from policy to operations to client-facing roles. This is a critical hiring moment for institutions looking to position themselves for long-term success. Investing in the right talent now will pay dividends as competition heats up.
Regional Banks Are Pulling Back—Community Banks Are Stepping Up
Regional banks are scaling back in small business lending, creating a vacuum that community banks are ready to fill. This shift is opening up career opportunities for small business bankers who thrive in relationship-driven environments. For employers, it’s a prime moment to attract talent disillusioned with red tape and shrinking pipelines at larger institutions.
Hiring in Small Business Banking? Now’s the Time
We’re seeing more small business bankers in motion than we have in years. Whether it’s due to compensation shifts, cultural changes, or strategic restructuring, this candidate pool is highly active—and full of proven performers. If your institution is looking to grow its small business division, there’s no better time to act.
Navigating M&A Hires in a Consolidating Market
As M&A activity continues across the banking sector, institutions are confronting new organizational challenges. Merging business lines, expanding customer bases, and integrating tech platforms require leaders who can thrive at scale. Hiring talent with experience in post-merger environments is essential—not just for continuity, but for setting the tone in your next chapter.
More on recent M&A trends in banking from S&P Global.
Whether you’re a professional ready for your next move or an institution preparing for growth, the Banking & Financial Services Division at The Richmond Group USA is here to help. From identifying top talent to helping you confidentially assess leadership gaps, we bring decades of industry expertise to your hiring strategy.
