Yes, i agree with u that banks r retrenching (asking their staff 2 resign).
Banks are trying to considerably reduce their overheads and operational costs. But where u've got it all wrong is the cadre that is affected. Like u said in ur post, senior staff ..... And thats whom it affects. Staff who hv put in no less than 7, 8yrs are given d option of resigning or taking a considerable pay-cut. Their(banks) thinking is why pay u such a huge amount to do ur job when they can pay ur junior a lesser amount which would be a marginal increase or might still be maintaining his/her previous pay and still do ur job effectively without compromising efficiency. Juniors taking over more tasking roles of higher cadre creates room for fresh intakes to fill the void in the lower cadre.Truth be told. Banks continously need inflow of fresh young blood into the system. Hence, their continuous recruitment excercise even in the midst of this GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS.