The number of people employed in financial services companies in the State dropped by more than 3 per cent in the 12 months to September 2002, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
More than 50,900 were employed in banks, building societies and insurance companies - down 1,700 on the total for September 2001.
Wage growth in the sector edged ahead just 0.5 per cent per week to €663.92.
Those in building societies and banks saw their pay rise by 0.6 per cent; pay for their colleagues in the insurance sector increased by just 0.2 per cent.