Investment banks intensify recruitment across technology, energy, and private credit as stabilisation across global markets in 2025 fuels deal activity, reshapes competition for talent, and accelerates institutional positioning for 2026 growth

SINGAPORE, SG / ACCESS Newswire / August 28, 2025 / Burghley Capital reports that Wall Street hiring momentum has re-emerged strongly through 2025, with recruitment activity intensifying across investment banking divisions. The renewed expansion follows a period of restraint earlier in the year when tariff uncertainty disrupted hiring cycles. As transaction pipelines expand and deal fees stabilise, financial institutions are directing resources towards technology, energy, and private credit coverage.

Second-quarter figures demonstrate the strength of this shift. Global deal values rose 22% quarter-on-quarter to USD 123 billion, while M&A advisory fees at leading firms advanced sharply, with some banks recording growth exceeding 70% in targeted business lines. Junior hiring also reflects the recovery, with volumes up 200% in August year-to-date compared with a 30% decline during the first half of 2025 against the same period in 2024.

James Barker, Director of Private Equity at Burghley Capital, observes that "institutions are competing intensely for senior professionals who can deliver certainty of execution in volatile conditions. The emphasis this year is on hiring bankers with strong sector depth, particularly in technology and energy, as well as private credit specialists who can address selective capital market conditions."

The concentration of recruitment in technology and energy reflects ongoing deal trends pointing to AI infrastructure, renewable energy, and energy transition finance. Market data highlights that global M&A volumes in these areas have grown consistently over the preceding 12-month period, with expectations for further acceleration into 2026. Burghley Capital notes that the pursuit of sector specialists signals a focus on structural, long-term themes.

Recruitment activity extends beyond senior roles, with search firms documenting a sharp rise in associate and vice-president-level hiring since July. This activity indicates that banks are preparing for a broader increase in transaction flow. Barker explains that "firms are not simply filling vacancies; they are proactively building benches of talent to meet client demand in the second half of 2025 and beyond."

Both boutique advisory houses and global institutions are engaged in competitive hiring. Evercore is expanding towards the upper end of its typical senior managing director recruitment range, while Citigroup continues to poach senior M&A talent from peers including UBS and JPMorgan. Lazard and UBS face retention challenges, underscoring the wider competition for seasoned dealmakers.

Wealth management and private credit have also become recruitment priorities. Institutional investors require advisers with expertise in complex financing, particularly as private credit markets expand while syndicated lending remains constrained. Burghley Capital analysis suggests these shifts represent a structural recalibration of capital allocation, positioning non-bank lenders and advisory platforms more centrally in global financing.

Recruiters report a surge in unsolicited applications from candidates seeking investment banking positions, a trend linked to fee recovery across leading banks. Investment banking fees have grown by more than 30% year-on-year in some institutions, driving candidates towards platforms perceived as well-positioned for growth.

Burghley Capital assesses the ongoing surge in recruitment as a signal of renewed institutional confidence. Barker notes that "the industry's focus is shifting towards preparing for substantial deal flow in 2026. Firms are hiring now to ensure they have the execution capacity required when strategic opportunities present themselves." The assessment suggests that institutions with specialist teams and disciplined execution frameworks will be best placed to capture value.

The implications extend beyond hiring trends. Institutions investing in talent during 2025 are positioning themselves to influence both transaction structures and market tempo through 2026. Burghley Capital concludes that technology, energy, and private credit remain the defining sectors for capital allocation strategies over the next 12 to 18 months.

About Burghley Capital

Burghley Capital Pte. Ltd., established in Singapore in 2017 (UEN: 201731389D), is an investment and advisory firm focused on fund management and private markets strategies. The firm provides institutional-grade insights across technology, energy, and private credit, supporting sophisticated investors with research-driven analysis of evolving market trends.
Media enquiries can be directed to Martin Wei at m.wei@burghleycapital.com or visit https://burghleycapital.com.

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Contact Person: Martin Wei
Company: Burghley Capital Pte. Ltd.
Email: m.wei@burghleycapital.com
Website: https://burghleycapital.com
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SOURCE: Burghley Capital