Banks create 500 new call centre jobs in Wales

Two major financial services firms have given a boost to the Welsh economy with the creation of 500 new jobs at call centres in Wales this week

Lloyds TSB's insurance arm is planning to recruit just under 200 customer service agents at its headquarters in Newport, South Wales, bringing the total number of call centre staff there to almost 900.

The new customer-facing team leaders and claims administrators will be recruited between now and June.

David Stoddard, head of customer service at Lloyds TSB Insurance, said the new jobs are a "real boost" not only for the bank but for Newport's local economy.

Financial services union Unifi, which has opposed wider Lloyds TSB group plans to offshore 1,000 UK jobs to India this year, welcomed the news.

Steve Pantak from Unifi said: "It's good to see the company reaffirm its commitment to the local South Wales economy."

In a separate announcement, savings bank ING Direct will officially open its new £3.5m call centre in Cardiff today.

The 38,000 square foot call centre will create 300 jobs, more than doubling ING's customer service staff.