Asia was once seen by many as the growth engine of the world’s biggest banks, leading to hiring sprees across the region. But if last year’s staffing trends are anything to go by, some of those banks might have overdone it.

One of the biggest trends among global banks operating in Asia last year was cuts. Banks including Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and Standard Chartered reduced their headcount in certain business lines, in a region where it once seemed that banks couldn't get enough staff. Regulatory and capital constraints, a slowdown in economies across Asia and continuing pressure on fees have all conspired against global lenders.