There's a battle going on among City firms over the great work-from-who-knows-where's-best debate. On the one hand, the post-pandemic embrace of hybrid working has resulted in under-used office space. Global lender HSBC saw the writing on the wall and already signalled in 2021 a shift to trim office space, and giving staff the flex they wanted.

Meanwhile, Citigroup is committed to three days in the office — but plans to monitor staff that don't seem to fall in line. JPMorgan, however, is demanding five days at the office.