Hiring in Banking & Financial Services: Recruitment heats up in 2026 with a candidate-driven market

AI was at the forefront of hiring discussions within the Banking & Financial Services industry in 2025. Companies sought talent that could support adoption of the technology.

“The Bank of Thailand’s approval of three new virtual bank licenses was also a gamechanger,” recounts Mellissa Mayne, Manager at Robert Walters Thailand.

This pushed the industry ahead, helping it develop in line with other countries across the region.

However, hiring appetite was tempered by geopolitical instability. Many companies also underwent merger and acquisitions, and the restructuring and uncertainty that followed also contributed to weaker hiring sentiment.

Read on to find out more about the labour market and hiring trends for Thailand’s Banking & Financial Services professionals in 2026.

Widening tech adoption and increased flexibility

AI remains the hottest trend in the industry, and it will continue to have a major impact on hiring in 2026. Already, companies are integrating AI into all workflows to raise efficiency. A natural consequence of this trend is an increased demand for professionals with AI and machine learning skills, though candidates who are generally tech-savvy also have a stronger standing in the market.

Given the current economic uncertainty, companies may increasingly adopt contract hiring to maintain flexibility and scale their teams as needed. Mellissa notes that this trend could extend to certain roles within the financial services sector, although regulatory requirements will continue to limit such arrangements for key positions. The job market will also remain candidate-driven. High potential candidates will be at liberty to explore multiple offers.

Top roles and skills for 2026 

Roles that generate revenue and mitigate risk are expected to remain in highest demand. Key positions include fund managers and heads of risk. Relationship managers are also highly sought after in high-net-worth, private banking, and corporate banking functions, with growing demand for trilingual professionals fluent in Mandarin Chinese, English, and Thai.

Employers across all roles are prioritising candidates who demonstrate initiative and a proactive mindset. In addition, soft skills such as critical thinking, curiosity, problem-solving, and adaptability are increasingly valued as organisations navigate a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Top candidates more selective

Candidates now tend to “window shop” on the job market, with Mellissa finding that they are happy to look around and learn more about available roles, but not always eager to move jobs. They tend to be more cautious, weighing the company’s long-term strategy and benefits more heavily when analysing roles.

Now that the market is candidate-driven, companies need to act quickly during the hiring process to avoid losing out on top candidates. Offers need to be competitive, as it is likely that candidates have other options.

To retain talent, Mellissa says that it is vital for companies to invest in employees’ future. Besides rewarding high performers, companies should work with employees to set clear goals for their career development. More candidates are expressing an openness to move abroad to gain experience before returning to Thailand – such opportunities meaningfully engage employees and bolster retention rates.

Salaries match rising costs

In 2026, Mellissa expects that salaries will increase to align with inflation. Job seekers for certain in-demand positions, such as trilingual relationship managers, will command increments above market rates. 

Find out more

Request access to our 2026 Salary Survey to benchmark salaries and to find out more about key hiring trends in the Banking & Financial Services industry in Thailand.