ZRG Partners Global Equipment and Asset Finance Hiring Index posted a modest 4.5% increase in global hiring demand this quarter.

The big growth story this quarter was France, which posted a significant increase in hiring demand in the period, followed by the UK and China as regions with growing demand.

On the downside, Russia is cooling for lending talent perhaps driven by regional instabilities causing lenders to pause with continued growth. India also showed a slower quarter driving the BRIC demand downward.

U.S. hiring demand remained strong but flat, quarter over quarter, after a strong run of growth with five straight periods of hiring increases.

Overall, the GELAF Hiring Index continued to climb with a more balanced demand posted around the world.

To view the full Q2 Global Leasing and Asset Finance hiring index, click here.