Oh to be young again. The big investment banks may be laying off thousands of employees, but their recruitment offices have their eyes firmly focused on the future, writes Brooke Masters.

London's top 20 investment banks have put forward about 3,000 people for entry examinations this year, only 6 per cent less than last year, the Securities & Investment Institute said this week. "This is encouraging news as it demonstrates that banks are looking to the longer term," it said.