You could be forgiven for noticing it given the other events of the moment, but last week stockbroker WH Ireland announced its first interim profit for four years, along with a 30% increase in its revenues.

WH Ireland is not a big bank. Even after the increase, its revenues were still only 11m. But it is hiring. And in 2012, things could get even better.

Paul Compton, WH Ireland’s chief executive, told us the company is in the process of recruiting 15 new private client brokers.

As of next year, demand for private client brokers could increase even further – and not just at WH Ireland. This is because the government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme, whereby investors can claim significant tax relief for putting their money into smaller listed companies, is being extended significantly.

From April 2012, the scheme will apply to investments in companies with up to 250 employees (it currently covers only those with 50 employees). From April 2011, it has allowed investors to claim income tax relief of 30%, up from 20% previously.

“The EIS is going to be particularly helpful if you’re a stockbroker working with small companies,” says Compton. “It’s going to be very tax advantageous to invest in them.”

Yesterday, WH Ireland chairman Rupert Lowe described the EIS as, “The most significant development in small-company broking for at least a decade”

As investors pour money into AIM listed companies, job opportunities for small-company brokers could increase.

Whether this means people who’ve lost their jobs in the City of London will be able to reinvent themselves as stockbrokers in the provinces is less clear, however.

Compton says WH Ireland is looking for people who can bring clients with them and who have previous experience doing something similar.

“We’re having a big push and are looking for people who can make money quite quickly,” he says. They’re not keen on training people without direct experience: “We’re not a university,” he informs us.