According to a survey conducted by Thomson Reuters and Freeman Consulting Services, expect deals to rise by 36% worldwide to $3.04 trillion in 2011.

Leon Saunders Calvert, Thomson Reuters head of global deals and private equity, said: Its good to see such a healthy outlook for investment banking in 2011 across the board.

This wont come without its challenges, however, as the regions driving growth require the globalised investment banks to continue to shift resources to emerging markets.

The survey expects syndicated loans to hit $2.80 trillion, up 16% on the annualised figure for this year ($2.42 trillion) and just under the 2008 total.

At the same time, equity capital markets activity is expected to rise by 21% above the $760bn that is expected for this year.Corporate bonds issuance is expected to climb 14% above the $1.13 trillion forecast for this year.