Good news for banking jobs at Goldman Sachs

Financial services firm Goldman Sachs increased its number of staff by 800 during the fourth quarter of 2009, new figures have indicated.

The investment bank was found to be the only net hirer of institutions surveyed by eFinancialCareers over the period in question.

Growth in recruitment at the company comes after fourth quarter earnings at the firm reached $4.79 billion (£3.05 billion) last year, in excess of analysts'' predictions and boosted by an increase in fees and trading.

According to the same website, recruitment professionals have suggested that "the salary increases at Goldman have blown other banks'' fixed pay hikes out of the water".

The bank refused to confirm a report by the portal that managing directors are being paid £475,000 in 2010, while vice-presidents earn a salary of £200,000 and associates get £110,000.

Goldman Sachs is the world''s most profitable investment bank and paid its 32,000 employees worldwide $16.2 billion in 2009.