Hiring expectations in the financial services industry have reached a four-year high, with nearly half of employers expecting to add more staff in the June quarter.

The latest survey by recruiter Manpower shows strong hiring expectations in the financial, insurance and real estate sectors – an overall 42% net employment outlook. The figure is derived by subtracting the percentage of employers expecting a decrease in staffing from those forecasting an increase.

The employment outlook is up 15% on the March quarter and 21% on the previous corresponding period.

Employment expectations in the financial, insurance and real estate sectors run second, behind the mining and construction industry at 44%.