Business

Danske Bank to create 67 analyst jobs in Derry

Danske Bank's chief financial officer Stephen Matchett (right) with Jeremy Fitch, executive director of business & sector development at Invest NI
Danske Bank's chief financial officer Stephen Matchett (right) with Jeremy Fitch, executive director of business & sector development at Invest NI Danske Bank's chief financial officer Stephen Matchett (right) with Jeremy Fitch, executive director of business & sector development at Invest NI

DANSKE Bank is creating 67 jobs, including quality assurance managers and analysts, at a new customer protection centre in Derry.

The north's biggest bank is ploughing several million pounds into the project, helped by funding of £332,500 form the public purse.

The new posts will attract starting wages in the region of £17,000-£18,000, and once fully operational by the end of 2020, the centre will generate close to £1.5 million a year in salaries.

The centre, which will be located on the the upper floors of Danske Bank’s historic Shipquay Place building in Derry city centre, will complete due diligence checks on personal and business customers.

These days banks must review customer information on an ongoing basis to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date and in accordance with anti money laundering legislation.

Stephen Matchett, Danske Bank’s chief financial officer, said: “We're delighted to be supporting the economy in the north west through the provision of 67 new jobs.

"Our successful bid for this new centre to be located here, rather than at one of the Danske Bank Group’s existing European centres, ensures that we remain close to our customer base in Northern Ireland.

“This new team in Derry will be an additional resource supplementing existing teams in Lithuania and Poland, and will initially be responsible for completing the checks for customers here in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and London.

“We have already begun recruiting for this team and for the first 'academy', with all the roles to be in place by 2020.”

Jeremy Fitch, executive director of business & sector development at Invest NI, added: “This is a new and emerging function for Danske Bank operations throughout Europe in response to new financial crime and anti-money laundering legislation.

“As well as offering starting salaries in the region of £17,000-£18,000, those joining the team in the North West will receive high quality induction training, enjoy a modern working environment, competitive pension benefits, healthcare benefit and a defined career path.”

The Department for the Economy is working with Danske Bank - which currently employs around 1,400 staff - to launch Assured Skills academies in the north west.

The academies will provide pre-employment skills training for 40 people to gain the skills and experience required to kick start a career in the banking sector.

Derry City and Strabane District Council mayor John Boyle described the announcement as fantastic news for the city and district saying it is evidence that confidence is continuing to grow in the local economy.

“This investment boost is excellent news for our region and reaffirms the north west’s position as a competitive, exciting and innovative place to do business.

"These are very skilled and high-end posts that are suitable for our increasingly skilled workforce.

"The commitment being demonstrated by Danske Bank and Invest NI shows business confidence is improving throughout the area and is in keeping with the work the Council is doing in terms of job creation and investment that is set out in our Strategic Growth Plan.”