The number of employees was 18,174 on 31 December 2005,
up 220 or 1% from the end of third quarter 2005 and 1,204
or 7% higher than the same period a year earlier. Quarter-onquarter,
increases were seen in fixed income, rates and currencies
business as well as in human resources, operations,
and general counsel functions, mainly due to the need for ever
more stringent controls related to the tighter regulatory environment.
The financial control and risk control functions also
saw higher staff levels.