Hiring in Banking and Financial Services: Guide and Trends in 2026

Companies expected to focus on skills-based hiring, contract position

Employers in Singapore’s Banking & Financial Services industry exercised prudence and efficiency when it came to hiring and workforce management in 2025.

“Over the past year, firms kept a closer eye on costs and hired more selectively. They focused on skills that directly support business priorities,” divulges Glen Chua, Senior Manager at Robert Walters Singapore.

Trade tensions and tariffs pushed companies to be more deliberate about their location strategies. Meanwhile, the year saw the “real” adoption of AI as the technology moved from pilot to practice in the industry, particularly in risk and operations. This has influenced the mix of skills that employers look for.

Read on to find out more about the labour market and hiring trends for Singapore’s Banking & Financial Services professionals in 2026.

Business stretch to find talent

In 2026, businesses will emphasise skills and prioritise agility in hiring.

Rather than solely considering pedigree, companies now take a skills-based approach in hiring, prioritising a candidate’s abilities over traditional credentials. Contract and project-based roles are on the rise, as firms aim to be nimble and responsive to fluctuating workloads and budgets. Glen also sees a rise in cross-border hiring, particularly for niche talent in areas such as quant, fintech, private equity and private wealth.

The spread of AI across the industry is impacting high volume, rules- and process-based roles. Professionals in areas such as operations, reconciliations and basic reporting will need to build data fluency, sharpen their judgment and communication skills, or step into roles where human insight complements technology to stay relevant.

Top roles and skills in demand

Demand remains consistent for fintech professionals, quantitative specialists, wealth and portfolio managers, and risk and regulatory experts with strong technical depth. “These roles sit at the intersection of strategy, regulation and technology, which is where the industry is heading,” comments Glen.

Technical skills may open doors, but soft skills help talent advance in their careers. Adaptability, clear communication and the ability to influence are traits that help professionals stand out in a competitive space.

Win talent with clarity and decisiveness

Given the current economic climate, Glen finds that professionals are more measured about job moves.

Many are looking for stability, meaningful work, visible growth paths and credible leadership, not just perks or a pay revision.

Schedule flexibility has become a baseline expectation, and companies who don’t offer it will have a strong disadvantage.

When it comes to hiring, Glen recommends moving fast and being flexible to prevent losing out on prized talent in a competitive market.

No big jumps in salaries

Base salaries are expected to hold steady in 2026, with selective premiums for scarce skills and domain expertise in AI, risk and ESG. Bonuses will be linked to individual performance, rather than across-the-board increases

Find out more

Request access to our 2026 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about key hiring trends in the Banking & Financial Services industry in Singapore.