This tallies with my experience in London. In fact, at Google, where after questioning their salary scaling vs competition, we were told that financial companie

This tallies with my experience in London. In fact, at Google, where after questioning their salary scaling vs competition, we were told that financial companies where NOT included in calculations. "WTF" or words to that effect were our general response. Apparently this was eventually fixed, but not before about 80% of my ex-colleagues (I left for the Bay Area) ended up in... financial companies. Go figure. If you want the talent - put up the cash.