Shanghai is to go overseas to seek senior financial talent for the second time.

Shanghai Financial Services Office will lead representatives of banks, insurers and brokers in trips to Canada, the United States and Singapore to hire senior financial professionals and experienced bankers in a campaign that starts this week.

In December 2008, a similar hiring campaign was held on Wall Street and in the City of London when many experienced staff were being let go by their crisis-hit employers.

Organizers received 10 applicants for every job on offer. Chinese working overseas showed most interest in the campaign last year.

The city, which is aiming to be the world's leading financial center, has already set up initiatives to attract and retain financial professionals by addressing quality-of-life concerns such as health care and education.

Shanghai is not lacking head count in the financial industry but is short of experienced talent. The industry accounts for more than 10 percent of the local economy, providing 200,000 jobs.