62% of London-based financial services respondents of Smith & Williamson’s 12th annual financial services survey say that the UK economy is either stable or improved.

Also, 39% of respondents are optimistic about their business’ future prospects, up 13% on the previous survey. Furthermore, 94% of respondents report either a stable or increase in turnover expectations for the next 12 months, comparing favourably to last year’s survey of 65%.

39% of respondents this year revealing a decline in headcount but 88% of respondents are hopeful of either maintaining or increasing headcount in the next 12 months.

Natasha Lee, director and head of the Financial Services & Markets Group at Smith & Williamson: “While the survey shows signs of increasing optimism in the city