Banking Analysts, Leeds Banking and Payments Operations Centre

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 or 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:

Are you ready to be part of a dynamic team that ensures the smooth running of the UK's financial infrastructure?

We are expanding our operations footprint in Leeds and looking for talented individuals to join our Financial Operations Centre across several exciting teams (more info below):

1. Sterling Payments Operations: Be a part of our Central Banking Division, processing and settling high-value CHAPS payments.
2. Collateral Management and Custody Team: Operate within our Central Banking Operations Division, managing daily securities operations and providing custody services.
3. RTGS Operations: Join our Payments Operations Division, we have roles as (a) operational analysts running RTGS and (b) user acceptance testers making sure change to RTGS is 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 and matched based on interests, prior experience and skills.

The process will comprise of 3 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 3 months of 2026, mostly 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. Your role working within the 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:

• Enjoys 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. Invest in your growth and achieve your career goals with us!
• Benefits from a £4,000 Banking allowance: You will 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. Your role working within the Collateral Management and Custody Team

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

Core salary:

• Enjoys 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. Invest in your growth and achieve your career goals with us!
• Benefits from a £4,000 Banking allowance: You will 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. Your role working within the RTGS Payments Operations

(a) Operational Analyst:

• The Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) service is the backbone which 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:

• Enjoys 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. Invest in your growth and achieve your career goals with us!
• Benefits from a £8,000 Shift allowance: You will 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:

• Enjoys 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.
• You will have experience and understanding of at least one of the following 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:

• Understanding of the following would also be 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

As these roles are part of our operational teams, there are certain working pattern and location requirements:

• 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 we'll cover your travel and accommodation costs.
• Shift Hours: Some of the 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:

In addition to the salary set out in line with the role, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:

• 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. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
• A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
• An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take 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 . Please note that all applications must be submitted through the portal; any applications sent to this email will not be considered.

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 it's by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we'll continue to make the best decisions for the public.

We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We've also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they're needed.

For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.

Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the 'Candidate Personal Information' under the 'Disability Confident Scheme' section of the application.

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 programs, 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 programs.
• 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.