Employment in the FIRE industry rose 4.2% adding 5528 employees. Growth has been influenced by the health of the economy and low interest and mortgage rates. All sectors expanded except for Insurance Agents (64). Insurance Carriers (63) reported the largest sector increase up 1518 employees. Increased demand for title insurance services, expansion by a pension fund administrator and SIC changes adding 180 accounted for most of the gain in this sector. Security & Commodity (62) grew by 1261 over the year. Expansions adding more than 600 employees occurred in services allied to the exchange of securities. Another 600 were added to security brokers and dealers due to the opening of a new business and expansions. Steady yearlong

increases in commercial banks generated a 956 employee gain in Banking (60). Credit Agencies (61) grew by 943. Growth was dominated by expansions in services dealing with mortgage loans. Holding & Investments (67) rose by 801 employees. SIC changes of 120 and movement of staff into holding companies for reporting purposes generated most of the change. The loss of 424 employees in Insurance Agents resulted from SIC changes instituted in January.