Certus to create 50 jobs

Debt management company Certus is expanding its operations in Ireland, adding 50 new jobs as it broadens its client base.

The company, which provides outsourced debt and portfolio management services for financial organisations in Ireland and Northern Ireland, said most of the new jobs will be based at its head office in Dublin. The positions will be in retail debt management and collections, and also commercial banking and operations

The company already employs more than 800 people, and offers services including loan servicing, arrears management, and corporate and retail debt management and recovery.

Certus was established in 2010 to run down Bank of Scotland Ireland's business here, after the lender shed its banking licence.

"The opportunity for Certus to broaden its customer base grows as financial institutions in Ireland reduce their balance sheets and comply with new regulation on how they deal with customers in debt, particularly consumers," said chief executive Joe Higgins.

"Our ambition is to continue to grow the business and we are offering potential candidates the chance to join a young, dynamic company that has a great future ahead of it."

Separately, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton is to travel to the US on Sunday for a five-day foreign direct investment mission. He plans to meet senior executives of 19 life sciences, IT and financial services firms to discuss proposals for investment and job creation in Ireland.