RJ and Makay

Confirmed job offers in the financial services sector were up double digits last month — 16% to be exact, shows new research from pre‐employment firm Powerchex. There were 82% more job offers in investment banking last month than in February, Powerchex also reports.

Stockbroker firms and investment management firms saw considerably increased recruitment levels, too, up 73% and 56% respectively. There were 23% more IT contractor placements in financial services than the previous month. However, recruitment at hedge funds and insurance firms was down 7% in March, according to Powerchex.

Seven mutual funds run by Columbia Management have received 2011 Lipper Fund Awards, says Ameriprise Financial, which owns Columbia. Here are the seven funds that won the award for consistently achieving the strongest risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers over the three, five, or 10-year period ending December 31, 2010.

• Columbia 120/20 Contrarian Equity Fund (I shares), Extended Large-Cap Core category (35 funds) - 3 years
• Columbia US Treasury Index Fund (Z shares), General U.S. Treasury category (35 funds) - 3 years
• Columbia European Equity Fund (I shares), European Region category (88 funds) - 5 years
• Columbia Acorn International (Z shares), International Small/Mid-Cap Growth category (26 funds) - 10 years
• Columbia Oregon Intermediate Municipal Bond (Z shares), Other States Intermediate Municipal Debt category (92 funds) - 10 years
• Columbia Strategic Investor Fund (Z shares), Multi-Cap Core category (277 funds) - 10 years
• Columbia Technology Fund (Z shares), Science & Technology category (101 funds) - 10 years

"Having seven funds in seven separate categories recognized by Lipper demonstrates the depth and breadth of the Columbia Management product line-up," says Ted Truscott, CEO of U.S. Asset Management for Ameriprise Financial. "These awards are a testament to the disciplined investment processes and in-depth research capabilities of our investment management teams."

It's a great idea, but what are the chances? The idea: bring back traditional pensions.

That's what an overwhelming number of Americans recommended in a recent poll by the National Institute on Retirement Security. According to these respondents, the recession revealed major flaws in the current retirement system and the government should make it easier for employers to offer pensions.