Citigroup, which a year ago could barely hire quickly enough to keep pace with an exodus of investment banking staff, has successfully reversed that trend to become the biggest net recruiter of senior executives in 2011.

The Sheffield Haworth Movers report, which covers senior hires across investment banking, M&A and European capital markets, found that Citi accounts for nearly 11% of all external hires made in the industry - and lost barely any of its senior staff to rivals.