Danske Bank to create 67 new jobs in the North West

by Gráinne Connolly

67 new jobs are set for Derry/Londonderry after Danske Bank announced it's the location for a new Customer Protection Centre. 

The centre will complete due diligence checks on personal and business customers, as part of regulatory requirements for all banks. 

According to Danske Bank this demonstrates an increased responsibility for knowing and understanding how customers operate their bank accounts. 

The new positions being created include quality assurance managers and analysts. 

Once fully operational, the centre will generate nearly £1.5 million annually for the local economy in salaries. 

Stephen Matchett, Danske Bank’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “We are 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.”

(Stephen Matchett, Danske Bank’s Chief Financial Officer, and Jeremy Fitch, Executive Director, Business & Sector Development, Invest NI) 

Invest NI has offered Danske Bank £234,500 towards the creation of the roles.

It's Executive Director of Business & Sector Development, Jeremy Fitch said: “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.”

Foyle MP, Elisha McCallion has welcomed this jobs boost for Derry/Londonderry: 

“Today's announcement that Danske Bank has created 67 new jobs in Derry is a boost for the local economy. 

“It comes just a few months after job announcements at FinTrU , AXA, Metacompliance and the opening of the new O’Neills superstore in the city centre.

"News of this jobs boost is great news for the city and district and will provide much-needed employment for our young people.

“At a time when the uncertainties of a Tory Brexit looms over business and threatens the economy here, job creation is welcome news. 

“All of this will build confidence in our city and hopefully attract further inward investment from companies looking to set up in the North West.”

The new Customer Protection Centre will be based in the upper floors of the Bank’s historic Shipquay Place building in Londonderry city centre.