Pictured at Ulster Bank Customer Contact Centre in Danesfort, where the jobs will be located, are (l-r): Les Matheson, Chief Executive Personal & Business Banking, RBS; First Minister Rt Hon Peter Robinson MLA; Ellvena Graham, Head of Ulster Bank Northern Ireland; Ulster Bank Chief Executive Jim Brown; deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA and Richard Donnan, Managing Director, Retail Banking, Ulster Bank. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye

FIRST Minister Peter Robinson And deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have announced 350 new jobs at the Ulster Bank Direct Customer Contact Centre in Danesfort in south Belfast.

RBS and Ulster Bank are investing £300,000 in additional office space at the Direct Customer Contact Centre to handle calls from RBS and NatWest customers in addition to the calls and webchats Ulster Bank already handles for its own customers.

The centre has been identified by RBS as a centre of excellence and this, along with a high quality pool of local talent, was instrumental in the banks’ decision to expand the Belfast operation.

Welcoming the announcement, First Minister Peter Robinson said: “This investment by RBS/Ulster Bank creating 350 new jobs demonstrates once again how Northern Ireland is recognised internationally for the quality of our local talent in terms of educational qualifications, communication and social skills.

“These qualities are of the utmost importance to a company that wants to provide the highest possible levels of customer service.

“The Ulster Bank Contact Centre is a shining example of what can be achieved in Northern Ireland to secure this type of investment amongst intense global competition.

“The Northern Ireland Executive remains committed to doing all it can to encourage new firms to come to Northern Ireland as well as supporting existing businesses to make the most of their potential by investing and growing.

“We must build on today’s jobs announcement and others announced recently as we look to the future in what remains a challenging financial environment. It is for this reason that the Executive has pressed the Government to transfer responsibility for corporation tax rate setting powers without delay.”

The deputy First Minister said: “This is a magnificent announcement by RBS and Ulster Bank creating 350 jobs. RBS, Ulster Bank and NatWest are very ambitious and the decision to locate these jobs here is testament to the dedication and ability of existing staff and management.

“This customer contact centre has already been recognised as an example of best practice in the industry. These jobs will offer people an opportunity to learn new skills and increase their knowledge and expertise in a highly competitive sector.

“Changing customer behaviour and technology are impacting how we lead our lives and carry out daily transactions including banking.

“This contact centre will enable the RBS and Ulster Bank to be tuned in and responsive to these evolving needs.

“The people who will be trained and employed here will be central to how the bank engages with customers. I wish RBS, Ulster Bank and NatWest every success with this investment.”