Two companies are bringing dozens of financial services jobs to Charlotte.

The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. is hiring 50 to 60 full-time workers in the area, part of a national campaign to add 2,000 people, company officials announced Tuesday.

And Ameritrust Mortgage of Charlotte will hold a job fair May 15 with the goal of hiring 40 loan originators, it said.

MassMutual, a Springfield, Mass.-based insurance giant, is stepping up efforts to recruit financial services workers as the economy has sagged, driving consumer demand for financial planning and products with guaranteed financial returns, officials said.

Hiring is going on now for jobs with an average first-year pay of $50,000 to $60,000, plus full benefits, spokesman Staasi Heropoulos said. MassMutual is offering free education for agents who earn industry designation and college degrees including a master's; bonuses and awards; and a full match of annual Social Security and Medicare contributions.

Agents can also receive free office space, administrative staff, utilities and other startup costs. For details, go to www.massmutualcareers.com.

Charlotte-based residential mortgage company Ameritrust said its hiring blitz is meant to “accommodate increased mortgage business created by the strong refinance market, as well as an anticipated resurgence of new-home sales.”

Its job fair will be held May 15 at its Ballantyne office. Interviews will be held in five time slots: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. To request an appointment, e-mail a resume and preferred time to Jackie Friedl at jfriedl@ameritrust.com.

Applicants will also tour the Ameritrust office, talk with employees and meet the leadership team.