To cut costs, banks are hiring people to perform specific tasks, such as computer programming.

The bank has hired new executives, increased lending, reduced problem loans, and raised money from Wall Street, she said.

A bank, for example, will often hire a private investigator when a large individual borrower has fallen behind on loan payments.

The bank eventually hired an outside referee to test both systems.

Many large banks, corporations and government agencies hire the company, which is based in Atlanta, to handle their Internet security needs.

Executives said foreign banks and investment concerns had also been hiring small numbers of laid-off workers.

The bank has also hired an executive search firm.

The bank has also been hiring aggressively to bolster its securities trading team worldwide, analysts said.

The world's biggest bank is hiring the former head of the World Bank.