Ulster Bank announced today it was to create 210 jobs in Belfast at a new Internet account management centre.
The bank said it will be "actively targeting" the long-term unemployed and those in TSN (Targeting Areas of Social Need) areas to fill nearly half of the jobs.
The North's Enterprise Minister, Sir Reg Empey, making the announcement at the official opening of the banking facility, said it represented "a significant endorsement of Northern Ireland as a highly competitive location for network service operations".
The bank is investing £8.3 million sterling over five years in the project, which it said would free branch staff to focus on helping personal and business customers.
The centre will eventually employ 346 people - 210 new recruits and 136 existing staff from other parts of the bank group.
PA