Banking giant to create 145 jobs

The company employs hundreds of people in Belfast

Nearly 150 jobs are to be created by the US banking giant Citi in its Belfast base.

The company's fourth expansion since it established in Belfast in 2004 will bring the total workforce to 850.

Company spokeswoman, Cathy Munro, said she was confident of future growth.

"The strength of the available skills base within Northern Ireland is backed by a strong educational system and has been borne out in our recruitment efforts over the past three years."

Citi also confirmed that it has signed a lease to occupy two of the three new Gateway Office Buildings at Titanic Quarter, adjacent to the Odyssey, to facilitate its growth plans.

Economy Minister Arlene Foster said the news proved Northern Ireland could provide the skills needed by international banking.

"Invest NI has been working with Citi for over six years and today's announcement is the culmination of many months of hard work on both sides.

"Citi's continuing expansion in Northern Ireland is further evidence of the region's attractiveness to global financial services firms and it highlights the importance of Citi, and the wider sector, to our local economy," she said.

In addition to the technology and operations centres, Citi also has a legal and compliance division based in Belfast.