In an interesting new report, the World Economic Forum ranks Australia as the world’s second most significant economy for financial development, ahead of the US and behind London. Last time the WEF produced a similar study (in 2008), Australia ranked 11th.

The country’s ascension is attributable to the efficiency and stability of its banking sector, and to its perceived low risk of a sovereign debt crisis. Less promisingly, the WEF highlighted the Australia’s underdeveloped bond market, and weakness in commercial access to capital.

Australia’s success follows an article in The Times last month, suggesting that hundreds of Britons are trying to move to Australia every week. Macquarie, Australia’s leading bank, is building its investment banking operations and has hired a string of bankers internationally.

The 33 top staff at London-based hedge fund NewSmith Capital Partners shared a payout of nearly £30m last year. (Telegraph)

Swip wants five new managers for its fixed income team. (Financial News)

Regliare Capital markets hires new investment banking chief exec from Dresdner. (CityAm)

Walmart banker joins Lazard. (Financial News)

Jim Rogers says the commodities boom will go on for 20 years. (Telegraph)

Harder to find that fixed income fix. (Wall Street Journal)

The problems in the banking sector are only halfway over. (Pragmatic Capitalist)

A senior back-office employee at Seymour Pierce stole about £150,000 from the broker and its clients. (Financial Times)

Zoe Cruz said to start her own hedge fund. (Bloomberg)

Mustachioed Americans make more money (HT FTAlphaville) (Curious Capitalist)