The world is still in recession, businesses are folding and workers are losing their jobs, but this could turn out be a fruitful time for investment bankers. Nearly halfway through the year, 2009 is shaping up well for leading firms when it comes to profits and bonuses.

The last few weeks have provided plenty of evidence that the investment-banking market is heating up. Banks that see themselves as winners from the crisis, including Barclays, Credit Suisse, HSBC and Deutsche Bank, have embarked on hiring sprees, offering huge salaries.

We often wonder if subprime was a tactic to reposition the market for later profits. Losses grew until billions of dollars were lost. A firing spree in the United States saw HSBC closing the doors on HSBC Auto Finance, HFC, Beneficial, and Decision One Mortgage. I’m sure employees are angered by news of big salaries and a hiring spree.

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1. Countrywide lost 97 billion while HSBC lost 50 billion
2. HSBC loses $37 billion in market value since last Monday
3. Growing profits in China more difficult for HSBC
4. HSBC must have a better plan for 2009
5. John Thornton works 2 days a week for $1.5 million from HSBC