The new recruits will join 1000 staff already employed at the US banks' Titanic Quarter hub, which first opened in 2004.

The announcement of the latest jobs boots was made as Citi expanded its operational footprint in NI, opening new Titantic Quarter offices.

The expansion programme is supported by £8 million in funding from Government quango Invest Northern Ireland.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness welcomed the move as a significant boost for the local economy: "Over the next five years, Citi plans to create 440 new high quality roles in its technology and operations divisions and a further 61 new specialist posts in its legal and compliance division."

Separately. Bank of Ireland has announced plans to cut 230 jobs from its operations in the province, in the first part of a restructuring that will eventually see 700 roles carved from its UK and Irish business.