盐财经·2025-05-16 10:55Core Viewpoint - The financial industry is experiencing significant salary reductions and job cuts, leading to a crisis for many professionals who once enjoyed high salaries and job security [4][27][34]. Group 1: Salary Trends - The average salary in major securities firms has decreased significantly, with Citic Securities' average salary dropping from 947,000 yuan in 2021 to 779,800 yuan in 2024, and CICC's from 1,167,200 yuan to 642,600 yuan [4][5]. - The average salary for analysts has fallen sharply, with many analysts reporting monthly incomes in the four-digit range, making it difficult to sustain living costs in cities like Shanghai [3][23]. - The total commission revenue for the top 50 securities firms has plummeted to about one-third of what it was in 2021, impacting analysts' bonuses and overall compensation [3][4]. Group 2: Employment Dynamics - The financial industry has seen a continuous decline in personnel, with approximately 18,000 professionals leaving the sector in 2024, marking a 5.1% decrease in workforce size [27][28]. - Job cuts have become more frequent, with some firms reporting optimization rates as high as 15%, compared to the previous norm of around 5% [22][27]. - Many professionals are facing mid-career crises, with some transitioning to other industries or roles due to the challenging job market and reduced opportunities [29][30]. Group 3: Market Conditions - The IPO market has contracted significantly, with the number of IPOs dropping from 428 in 2022 to just 100 in 2024, and total fundraising down by 81.11% [18][20]. - The tightening of IPO regulations and the overall decline in market activity have led to reduced investment enthusiasm and a shrinking pool of available capital [21][22]. - Despite the current challenges, there are signs of potential recovery, with some positive developments in the stock market and supportive government policies aimed at stabilizing the financial sector [34][35].