RJ and Makay

A positive development regarding employer matching contributions to employee retirement plans: According to a new survey, 30% of plan sponsors will reinstate previously eliminated or reduced matches in 2011.

That's great news for employees who lost some or all of their match during the recession. Americans need all the help they can get in saving for a secure retirement.

Most U.S. financial institutions expect their consumer lending businesses to grow or at least remain steady in 2011, a survey of more than 1,000 banking professionals shows. However, a soft economy and new regulations could hinder the lending business, say these professionals, who were polled in January by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services.

Of the survey respondents, 79% said their institution’s consumer loan volume would rise or stay the same this year. Only 5% predicted a decline and 16% weren’t sure. Institutions with more than $250 million in assets were most likely to anticipate increased loan volume. Respondents cited the following factors as potential hindrances to consumer lending in 2011: a soft economy (30%), stricter compliance regulations (24%), reduced loan demand (18%), and increased competition (17%).

Which departments in the financial industry are most likely to grow in 2011? Three of them: technology, sales, and wealth management. That's what banking/finance career specialist eFinancialCareers learned when it asked hiring managers and recruiters which professionals Wall Street will need most in the year ahead.

Those with technology skills will be especially sought after due to the rise of algorithmic trading, added regulation, and complex infrastructures. Indeed, technology job postings are up 75% year over year on eFinancialCareers, the company says. "Larger firms," it adds, "are turning to their technology departments as a cost-effective way to support compliance with new regulations, all while managing the small task of optimizing complex global technology infrastructures."