The number of finance graduate jobs available could fall this year as the financial services industry may see business decline.

That is according to a new report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and PricewaterhouseCoopers, which predicts that levels of business will fall while the cost of regulation will rise for banking firms.

It found that bosses predictions for the sector are becoming more cautious after a strong showing in the second half of 2009.

Chief economic adviser to the CBI Ian McCafferty told the BBC: "The bounce in UK financial services activity over the past six months is not expected to last as we enter 2010."

Although he said that job losses were likely to be "minimal" in the coming months, the predictions cast doubt over how many posts will be available on finance graduate schemes.

Those looking for jobs in the financial services sector should keep abreast of the latest careers advice and may want to consider the option of taking professional qualifications.

This week, a member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee hinted that interest rates could be on the rise soon, which could hit the profits of banks and firms in the financial services sector.

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