Bank of America : Merrill Lynch Opens Applications for 10th Returning Talent Programme in Europe

Today, Bank of America Merrill Lynch opens applications for its 10^th Returning Talent programme in Europe. Individuals who have been out of work for 12 months or longer - for example, stay-at-home parents or carers, or someone who has chosen to take a career break - are invited to apply via the company's Careers site. The two-day conference - which marks the company's second Chester programme - will take place on 13 and 14 November 2018. The application closing date is 21 September 2018.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch, in partnership with the Executive Coaching Consultancy, is looking to attract individuals from a range of industry backgrounds including professional, financial services and technology, with experience in (but not limited to) finance, business, project or relationship management, banking operations and technology. The company is specifically looking to source suitable candidates from the programme to fill positions in its Chester-based site. Roles include: finance analysts, product control specialists, treasury servicing advisors, business and operations analysts, project and programme managers, technical help desk, information security and infrastructure support personnel.

Seven years ago, Bank of America Merrill Lynch pioneered one of the first Returner programmes in the UK. Since then, the programme has expanded to include Dublin and Chester. More than 350 women and men have participated to date, with many going on to secure roles at Bank of America Merrill Lynch or at other firms. Now a core part of the company's talent acquisition focus, the Chester offering in October seeks to build on this success.

The company's progress in this area, as well as its ongoing commitment to develop female talent, won it the 2015 and 2017 Workingmums.co.uk Top Employer Award for Career Progression. The firm was recognised as Euromoney's World's Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion in 2016 and 2018; has ranked on the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index for three consecutive years; and in 2017, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women to senior levels by signing the HMT Women in Finance Charter.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch's second Chester programme will give 25 participants the opportunity to attend a two-day conference on 13 and 14 November 2018, aimed at exploring the changing workplace and the role of the returning employee in this office environment. Participants will hear from guest speakers and join a series of workshops designed to support a transition back to work; offer practical guidance on focusing and managing a career search; provide interview skills and insights into balancing work and home lives; and provide access to executive coaching. There will also be opportunities for participants to start building their professional connections through a series of networking opportunities with Bank of America Merrill Lynch employees.

Jeremy St. John Brown, head of Chester site and EMEA Command Centre Operations manager at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said: 'We are committed to recruiting and developing diverse talent. We recognise that many talented people decide to take time away from work to focus on important personal commitments. Returning Talent focuses on providing these people the skills and knowledge required to come back to the workplace. The programme also helps individuals realise the additional talents they have gained during their time away from work so that they can showcase all abilities as they restart their careers.'

Lata Ravle, a 2016 Returning Talent participant who has since joined the company's Chester-based Risk and Control team as a senior operations analyst, said: 'I took an eight-year break from financial services, and Returning Talent was a great platform to meet a variety of people in a similar situation. I found it really encouraging to meet Bank of America Merrill Lynch employees who valued my skills and recognised my past experience as still relevant today. I highly recommend this programme to others who perhaps need that little push to pursue their career goals and dreams.'

Notes to editors:

• Applications open: 23 July
• Applications close: 21 September
• Returning Talent dates and application details: click here to complete the application form and attach your CV by 21 September.
• Two-day conference: 13 and 14 November, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• All sessions will be hosted at Bank of America Merrill Lynch's Chester office

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has had a presence in Chester since 2008 and is the company's second-largest operational hub in EMEA, after London. Approximately 85 per cent of the Chester workforce is employed within Global Technology and Operations (GT&O). In November 2013, it became home to the company's third Global Command Centre, joining existing centres in the U.S. and Singapore.

GT&O comprises Global Markets Operations and Middle Office (GMOMO), Global Wholesale Banking and Operations, Chief Technology Office and Global Information Security. Within GMOMO, the Derivatives and FX Operations teams process in excess of 5 million cash flows a month, with total values in the order of US$60 trillion. The Futures and Options group is the fifth-largest Futures broker in Europe and manages US$19 billion of open interest, clearing 1.9 million contracts on a daily basis. Other Chester-based support functions include Finance, Business Continuity, Compliance, Risk, Legal and Human Resources.

Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 47 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 4,400 retail financial centers, approximately 16,100 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with approximately 36 million active users, including 25 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

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www.bankofamerica.com

The Executive Coaching Consultancy
The Executive Coaching Consultancy launched in 1994 as one of the first dedicated executive coaching providers. They work alongside market-leading organisations at different points of the career journey to improve talent acquisition, retention and diversity strategies. They have deep expertise in supporting parents in their careers, having coached over 7,000 individuals and their managers through this key life stage. They work both nationally and internationally, tailoring content through their understanding of local markets. Their highly experienced accredited coach team brings both professionalism and a passion for developing talent.

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Reporters May Contact:
Elizabeth Wright, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, +44 (0)20 7995 7731
elizabeth.i.wright@baml.com