‘We’ve signed Ronaldo’: could other banks follow Goldman Sachs to Birmingham?

As the bank hires nearly 100 staff in the city, the region's mayor hopes to attract more big firms

Investment bankers are rarely compared to football stars. But when the West Midlands mayor, Andy Street, formally welcomed Goldman Sachs to Birmingham this month, he likened its arrival to one of the summer's big transfer moves.

I hope this isn't inappropriate," he said, addressing a crowd of Goldman staff gathered at the city's newly refurbished Grand Hotel. I think you probably are the Cristiano Ronaldo moment. You're the big one to secure."