連續2年樂觀指數呈負數
Brexit has had a stronger impact on the financial services sector than the global financial crisis that sent some of the world’s largest banks into collapse and plunged economies into recession.
英國脫歐對金融業造成的衝擊，比起讓世界大型銀行倒閉，使經濟陷入衰退的全球金融危機來得更大。
have an impact on~對…造成衝擊send…into…使…陷入(狀態)=plunge…into…recession(n.)(經濟)衰退期
Optimism in the financial services sector dropped to levels not seen since the 2007-2009 crisis, and the declines have been more sustained, according to the quarterly poll of 81 finance firms by the Consortium of British Industry (CBI) and PwC.
英國工業總會（CBI）和資誠會計師事務所（PwC）訪問81家金融機構公布的季度調查發現，金融業樂觀指數已降到自2007到2009年金融危機以來前所未見的水準，且衰退的趨勢持續更久。
decline(n.)衰退sustained(adj.)持續的、持久的
The survey’s measure of optimism among the firms was -17 percent in Q1, up from -22 percent in the last quarter, which was the lowest since the -34 percent seen in March 2009. The index fell to -59 at its worst during the financial crisis.
調查結果發現，金融業今年第一季的樂觀指數為負17％，較上季的負22％來得高，當時創下自2009年3月負34％以來的最低水準。全球金融危機時，這項指數一度來到負59％的最低點。
optimism(n.)樂觀
It was the eighth quarter of falling optimism in the last nine quarters and marked two straight years of negative sentiment.
這是過去9季以來，第8季樂觀指數下滑，且已連續2年樂觀指數呈現負數。
straight(adj.)連續的=continuoussentiment(n.)觀點;意見;看法;情緒
The declines have surpassed the gloom that enveloped the sector during the financial crisis.
信心衰退持續的時間比金融危機時籠罩金融業的悲觀還要更久。
surpass(v.)超過、優於、勝過=exceedgloom(n.)憂鬱;沮喪;愁悶envelop(v.)覆蓋;包住;籠罩=cover
The low levels of optimism were in spite of expanding business volumes and growing employment in Q1, and firms reporting that they plan to recruit more staff in the next quarter.
儘管今年第一季營業額成長且聘僱需求增加，且許多公司表示下一季還有增加人力的計畫，樂觀指數仍低。
in spite of~(prep.)儘管;不管;不顧=despitebusiness volumes營業額employment(n.)就業;聘僱需求
“Financial services firms have performed well over the last three months, with business volumes and employment on the up and beating expectation. But there is no escaping the elephant in the room,” said Rain Newton-Smith, chief economist at CBI.
英國工業總會首席經濟學家紐敦-史密斯說：「過去3個月金融服務機構表現相當好，營業額和聘僱需求節節攀升，優於預期，但脫歐這個棘手的問題想逃避也逃避不了。」
beat expectation超越預期=surpass or exceed expectationsthere is no Ving= it is impossible to RV 不可能escape(v.)脫離;逃脫the elephant in the room顯而易見、但不被承認或被忽視的棘手問題
While a transition period that has been agreed between London and the European Union had bought firms more time, the government must push energetically for the protection and maintenance of the sector’s world-leading status when Britain exits the bloc, Newton-Smith said.
紐敦-史密斯説，雖然倫敦和歐盟以就過渡期達成協議，為企業換取更多時間，但英國政府必須積極保護，才能夠維持金融業在全球的領導地位。
while(conj.)雖然=thoughtransition(n.)轉換、過渡transition period過渡期energetically; (adv.); 精力充沛地、積極地maintenance(n.)維持maintain(v.)維持;維護