Banking Analysts, Leeds Banking and Payments Operations Centre

Bank of England; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A central bank in the UK is looking for candidates to join its new Leeds Financial Operations Centre. This role involves essential tasks in banking and payments operations, focusing on processing high-value transactions and managing financial stability. Candidates should have experience in banking or financial sectors, strong organizational skills, and a willingness to work in a collaborative environment. Competitive salaries starting at £35,440 with various benefits up to £8,000 annually for unsocial hours.

Benefits

£4,000 banking allowance

26 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Discretionary performance award

Qualifications

• Experience working in an operational environment ideally within a banking or financial sector.
• Experience in collateral management, securities settlement, or asset servicing.

Responsibilities

• Process and settle high-value payments for the Sterling Payments Operations Team.
• Monitor daily securities operations in the Collateral Management and Custody Team.
• Oversee RTGS and participate in operational resilience tests.

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Clear communication

Proficient in Microsoft products

Education

Experience in banking or financial operations

Tools

SWIFT

Jira

Excel

Job description

Description

Ready to take the next step in your banking or payments career? Join us at the heart of the UK’s financial system and help shape the future of financial operations.

Location

Leeds

We’re offering exciting opportunities to join the Bank of England’s new Leeds Financial Operations Centre, where you’ll be part of a team that plays a vital role in maintaining monetary and financial stability across the UK.

If you already have experience in banking or payments—perhaps in a commercial bank, building society, fintech or payments provider—and are looking to broaden your impact, this could be your next move.

What you’ll be part of

Banking and Payments operations are the engine room of the financial system. Our Banking teams manage customer accounts, settle trades and process high‑value transactions. Our Payments teams operate systems like CHAPS and RTGS, enabling real‑time settlement of large payments that keep the economy moving.

Together these teams ensure liquidity stability and innovation in the UK’s financial infrastructure. You’ll be joining a collaborative and dynamic environment where your contributions will be valued and visible.

Why join us

• Be part of a national institution with a global reputation
• Work on systems and processes that underpin the UK economy
• Develop your career in a supportive and forward‑thinking team
• Help shape the future of financial operations from our new Leeds hub

Opportunities available in Leeds

• Sterling Payments Operations: Be a part of our Central Banking Division processing and settling high‑value CHAPS payments.
• Collateral Management and Custody Team: Operate within our Central Banking Operations Division managing daily securities operations and providing custody services.
• RTGS Operations: Join our Payments Operations Division. We have roles as (a) operational analysts running RTGS and (b) user acceptance testers ensuring changes to RTGS are fit for purpose.

How to apply – pooled recruitment process and timeline

We will be running a pooled recruitment process whereby applicants submit one application and will be considered for roles in all three teams, matched based on interests, prior experience and skills.

The process comprises three stages: application form, video interview and final assessment centre in November. If you are successful at each stage you will be invited to the next.

Candidates will join as a cohort in the first three months of 2026 – most likely February 2026.

The application deadline for these opportunities is 5th October 2025.

What you will do

Please see additional information on each of our three teams that you could be working for.

1. Sterling Payments Operations Team

• Processing Payments: We handle big money transfers quickly and safely following important rules.
• Working with HM Treasury: We help the government with their money matters and keep them updated.
• Fixing Payment Issues: We solve problems with payment instructions to make sure everything runs smoothly.
• Building Relationships: We work well with people inside and outside our organization.
• Operational Analysis: Provide operational and technical analysis.
• Project Work: Lead and support project initiatives (e.g. ISO 20022 RT Renewal Swift Standard releases).
• Process Improvement: Initiate and implement process changes.
• Technical Expertise: Become an expert in technical operations.
• Team Support: Coach and develop team members.

Core salary

Enjoy a salary of £35,440 per annum with the potential to progress to £39,870 per annum within 18‑24 months. Our clear development framework will guide you in acquiring the skills needed for this progression.

Benefits – 4 000 £ Banking allowance

Get an extra £4,000 per year (adjusted for part‑time) for unsocial hours. It’s paid monthly (£333.33 full‑time), taxed and added to your base salary. It will not affect the value of your benefits performance award or pension contribution. This allowance is linked to the role, not the person, and continues as long as you’re in the role.

2. Collateral Management and Custody Team

• Securities Operations: Monitor and settle daily securities transactions, ensuring timely and accurate processing of equities and fixed‑income instruments.
• Asset Servicing & Custody: Oversee asset servicing activities and deliver secure, efficient custody solutions for clients.
• Operational Change Support: Contribute to business change initiatives supporting the implementation of new processes and systems that impact operational workflows.
• Process Improvement: Identify inefficiencies in existing processes and lead the implementation of enhancements to drive automation and reduce risk.
• Technical Leadership: Apply technical expertise to support system enhancements, troubleshoot issues and guide the team on best practices.
• Change Delivery: Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of change initiatives, including business analysis, testing and implementation of system upgrades.
• Data & Reporting: Produce and present management information (MI) and data analysis to highlight trends, support decision‑making and track performance.

Core salary

Enjoy a salary of £35,440 per annum with the potential to progress to £39,870 per annum within 18‑24 months.

Benefits – 4 000 £ Banking allowance

Get an extra £4,000 per year (adjusted for part‑time) for unsocial hours. It’s paid monthly (£333.33 full‑time), taxed and added to your base salary. It will not affect the value of your benefits performance award or pension contribution. This allowance is linked to the role, not the person, and continues as long as you’re in the role.

3. RTGS Payments Operations

(a) Operational Analyst

• The Real‑Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) service is the backbone that underpins all financial transactions in the UK and is essential for the functioning of the economy and the implementation of monetary policy and financial stability.
• Real‑Time Monitoring: Oversee RTGS/CHAPS services and address any issues immediately.
• Service Recovery: Assist in recovering services during incidents and execute alternate plans.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to analysis and improvement activities.
• Contingency Planning: Participate in operational resilience tests and support contingency solutions.
• Technical Expertise: Develop knowledge in SWIFT and RTGS infrastructure.
• Risk Management: Manage participant accounts, identify risks and support audits.

Core Salary

Enjoy a salary of £35,440 per annum with the potential to progress to £39,870 per annum within 18‑24 months.

Benefits – 8 000 £ Shift allowance

Get an extra £8,000 per year (adjusted for part‑time) for unsocial hours. It’s paid monthly (£666.66 full‑time), taxed and added to your base salary. It will not affect the value of your benefits performance award or pension contribution. This allowance is linked to the role, not the person, and continues as long as you’re in the role.

(b) User Acceptance Tester

• Testing prep: Reviewing and analysing requirement documentation to identify scope and produce estimates with support from Test Analysts; produce test conditions and scripts and engage with stakeholders for sign‑off.
• Stakeholder engagement: Engaging with business stakeholders when reviewing the change to understand the requirements and allow for informed detailed estimates to be produced. These form a key part of the test plans.
• Test Execution: Performing user acceptance testing, compiling test evidence and coordinating the defect management process; track issues with business areas and Technology to ensure the resolution is acceptable in a timely manner. Produce daily progress reports and raise any potential delays / issues to the Test Leads.
• Support the team: In particular by coaching and mentoring the Test Analysts to allow them to develop skills and knowledge of Payments systems and processes. Support a buddy system for new members of the team.
• Support the Test Leads: In producing test documentation and work with the team day‑to‑day to ensure these are followed by both the Test Analysts and any relevant business stakeholders.
• Support: Providing training and support to business users and relevant stakeholders.

Core salary

Enjoy a salary of £28,800 per annum.

Job Requirements

Minimum criteria (for all roles / teams)

• Strong organisational and workload management – capable of identifying, prioritising and switching between tasks and deadlines efficiently.
• Stakeholder management skills – effective interaction with teams at all levels including external stakeholders. Able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Accuracy under pressure – maintain high accuracy and meet tight operational deadlines even when under pressure.
• Positive attitude to change – understand the impact of actions / changes on other areas and have a track record of implementing process improvements.
• Data analysis and problem‑solving – skilled in analysing data, identifying issues and providing clear resolutions or recommendations.
• Clear communication – able to draft concise instructions and presentations with attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft products – confident in using Excel and other Microsoft tools.
• Self‑motivation and desire to learn – eager to develop new skills and continuously improve.

Essential experience

You will have experience working in an operational environment ideally within a banking, financial or public sector environment.

Essential experience areas

• Collateral management
• Securities settlement
• Asset servicing or derivative products
• Delivering projects and change
• User acceptance or system testing
• Appreciation of operational risk and operational resilience
• Sterling Payments, including knowledge of T24, RTGS and SAA.

Desirable experience

• Leadership experience either through leading others or as a line manager.
• Understanding of the following also beneficial:
  • The UK payments landscape and the bank’s role as an FMI
  • SWIFT and ISO20022 payment messages
  • SWIFT (SAA) and the Temenos T24 banking system
  • Splunk monitoring tool
  • Jira / Confluence

Working Expectations

• Work Location: You’ll need to work from our Leeds office about 2.5 days a week on average. During the first six months you might need to be there more often for training. Some training will also be in London and well cover your travel and accommodation costs.
• Shift Hours: Some roles will have early starts (5:30 am) and late finishes (up to 9:00 pm) on a rota system. You’ll get extra pay for these shifts. If you can’t do these hours you’ll have the opportunity to let us know in your application.
• Weekend Work: You might need to work on weekends sometimes when we make system changes.

Wider benefits for all roles

• Currently a non‑contributory career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year.
• A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
• An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take it as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
• 26 days annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
• Private medical insurance and income protection.

Any Questions

If you have any questions regarding these advertisements or the application process please contact [contact details]. Please note that all applications must be submitted through the portal; any applications sent to this email will not be considered.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (typically 6–12 weeks post‑offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes is set out in the Bank’s Privacy Notice.

Immigration and Sponsorship

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates but, as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. Our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. We cannot guarantee that you and/or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability and to do that effectively we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve. At the Bank of England we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected so we’re working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that by drawing on different perspectives and experiences we will continue to make the best decisions for the public.

Why Join Us in Leeds

• Vibrant city life: Leeds is known for its vibrant cultural scene, excellent transport links and a thriving business community. Enjoy a great work‑life balance with access to local amenities and events.
• Career development: We offer extensive training programmes, mentorship and opportunities for career progression. Be part of a team that values innovation and continuous improvement.
• Competitive salary and benefits: We provide a competitive salary and benefits package including flexible working hours, remote work options and health and wellness programmes.
• Inclusive and supportive environment: We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. Join a team that celebrates diversity and fosters a collaborative culture.