The number of vacancies in London's City financial services industry rose on annual basis for the first time in two years in November, showing improving confidence in the recession-battered city is reflected in the jobs market.

Morgan McKinley, a professional recruitment consultancy, said on Wednesday the number of financial vacancies jumped by 15 per cent in November compared with the same month last year, although hiring levels eased by one per cent month-on-month.

"New vacancies were at their second highest level recorded this year, showing confidence in the financial services sector is filtering through to the jobs market," said Andrew Evans, managing director of Morgan McKinley's financial services arm.

"Those financial services professionals in employment may now be more prepared to make the move to develop their careers after sitting tight to ride out the storm," he added.

The consultancy noted that the middle of the first quarter of 2010 - when city bonuses are confirmed - would be the next key indicator of how market confidence will impact hiring.

There were 4,347 financial job vacancies in November compared with 4,410 in October and 3,780 in November 2008.

However, McKinley said the number of people seeking new jobs rose by 7 percent to 7,690 month-on-month - the fourth consecutive monthly rise after the seasonal summer dip - adding that it took on average 59 days to find a new job in November.

And hiring levels remain well short of levels seen two years ago before the collapse of Wall Street giant Lehman Brothers and the British government bailout of Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group.

Despite a political backlash against fat City bonuses and salaries, blamed for helping encourage a culture of excessive risk-taking, the consultant said average remuneration in the City edged up 0.3 percent to 51,512 pounds ($84,080).-Reuters