Equity Derivatives Sees Growth

European banks are hiring for their equities derivatives teams as demand for derivatives products increases from hedge funds and institutional investors.

UBS, Citigroup and Nomura are planning to hire, Financial News reports, as they reduce exposure to businesses like cash equities.

Jason Barron, global head of equity derivatives at UBS, told Financial News that it's "easy to be optimistic" about the derivatives business and the bank sees it as a "growth area."

Citigroup has increased its "focus of resources to derivatives, both from a personnel and technology perspective," the head of equities trading for Europe, the Middle East and Africa said.

The situation in Europe may not be completely sorted out, but opportunity still clearly exists in certain pockets of the sector.

Getting Closer (WSJ)

Donald Layton, former chief exec of E*Trade, is considered the top seed to fill Charles Haldeman Jr.'s shoes at Freddie Mac.

Stepping Aside (FINS via WSJ)

Yoel Zaoui, co-head of global mergers and acquisitions at Goldman Sachs, is leaving his role. He's not certain what he'll do next, though he's said to be interested in staying in the field.

Give Yourself a Break (CBS Money Watch)

If you've only been a good employee this year, not an excellent one, don't feel the need to lie on a self-assessment form. Your boss will see right through it.

From Small to Big (GoingConcern)

Here's how to transition from a smaller accounting firm to a much larger CPA joint. Don't worry, it can be done.

Dining Delight (Deal Journal)

If you want the Oracle of Omaha's investment savvy to rub off on you, you may want to bid on a dinner to be held in his childhood home. The only catch: Buffett himself won't be in attendance.

War of German Succession (Der Spiegel)

Anshu Jain wasn't always a shoo-in for the top post at Deutsche Bank. Just three years ago his star was falling at the height of the financial crisis.

Buzz Around the Office

Replicating Google's Project Glass (YouTube)

He probably found the necessary info on Google.

List of the Day: Handling a Bad Idea

You won't alienate your colleagues when you use these tricks to respond to a less-than-stellar proposal.

1. Ask for clarification, which may force the person to discover flaws in their own argument.

2. Take it seriously and try to make it work at the beginning, even if you know it won't.

3. Turn the idea down gently.

(Source: The Daily Muse)