The UK government announced over £1.25 billion ($1.69 billion) in new investments from major U.S. financial firms, including Bank of America, Citigroup, and BlackRock.
The funding is expected to create approximately 1,800 jobs across London, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Manchester, while strengthening trade links between the two countries, currently valued at £20 billion.
Bank of America plans to open its first operation in Northern Ireland, hiring up to 1,000 staff in Belfast. Citigroup will commit £1.1 billion to its UK operations, with growth plans including Northern Ireland. S&P Global confirmed more than £4 million in funding for Manchester to support 200 permanent jobs.
BlackRock announced it will allocate £7 billion to the UK market in 2026 and has opened a new office in Edinburgh, nearly doubling its local team. PayPal was also listed among the companies making pledges, though investment figures were not disclosed.
UK trade minister Peter Kyle said the deals reflect the strong economic ties with one of the nation’s main trading partners. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves added that the investments will help drive growth and increase income for families across the regions.
The announcements come ahead of President Donald Trump’s three-day state visit to the UK, where trade and economic growth will be key topics. The visit is expected to include the signing of a new UK-U.S. technology pact, aimed at closer cooperation between the countries’ tech sectors.
