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Bank is creating 149 jobs in city Bank is creating 149 jobs in city
(about 9 hours later)
Almost 150 jobs are being created in Belfast as a result of a multi-million pound investment by the Bank of Ireland Group.Almost 150 jobs are being created in Belfast as a result of a multi-million pound investment by the Bank of Ireland Group.
The 149 jobs are in the specialist area of hedge fund management.The 149 jobs are in the specialist area of hedge fund management.
The bank's group chief executive Brian Goggin said the decision to set up the operation in Belfast was because of the quality of the people available.The bank's group chief executive Brian Goggin said the decision to set up the operation in Belfast was because of the quality of the people available.
Bank of Ireland has 44 branches and eight business centres in Northern Ireland, employing 1,300 staff.Bank of Ireland has 44 branches and eight business centres in Northern Ireland, employing 1,300 staff.
"We are very excited about the prospect of creating a sizeable presence in Belfast servicing the offshore hedge fund industry," Mr Goggin said."We are very excited about the prospect of creating a sizeable presence in Belfast servicing the offshore hedge fund industry," Mr Goggin said.
"Our decision to locate in Belfast reflects the quality of professional people available in the marketplace."Our decision to locate in Belfast reflects the quality of professional people available in the marketplace.
"We also have strong links with the universities in the region as a result of co-op placement programmes.""We also have strong links with the universities in the region as a result of co-op placement programmes."
Invest Northern Ireland has offered support of over £2m towards the initiative, which was announced on Thursday by First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
"Northern Ireland's financial services sector is growing rapidly and is now one of the most attractive locations for global firms seeking the best skills and infrastructure to service European customers," Mr Paisley said.
"This new centre of excellence will provide very high quality career opportunities whilst at the same time helping the financial services sector here to move further up the value chain and boost the local economy," Mr McGuinness added.