In a move that underscores the enduring strength of transatlantic ties, the United Kingdom has secured over £1.25 billion in fresh private investment from major U.S. financial firms, just days before President Donald Trump’s second state visit to Britain. The announcement, made by the Department for Business and Trade on September 14, 2025, marks a significant boost for the UK’s financial services sector and signals a deepening of economic cooperation between the two nations.
According to Sky News and Reuters, the new wave of U.S. investment is expected to create 1,800 skilled jobs, stretching from Belfast and Edinburgh to Manchester and London. The UK government emphasized that millions of customers across the country stand to benefit from improved services and innovation, as American giants ramp up their presence on British soil.
At the heart of these investments is BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, which has pledged an eye-catching £7 billion commitment to the UK market. The firm has already opened a new office in Edinburgh, nearly doubling its local workforce from 800 to 1,400. Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, highlighted the company’s commitment, stating, “As the largest asset manager in the UK, BlackRock is proud to serve over 13 million British people who are saving for retirement. We are announcing an investment of half a billion pounds into enterprise data centres across the country, advancing digital infrastructure for British-based businesses.”
Bank of America is set to launch its first-ever operation in Northern Ireland, creating up to 1,000 jobs in Belfast. This move is seen as a milestone for the region’s burgeoning role in global financial services. Brian Moynihan, Chair and CEO of Bank of America, remarked, “We are pleased to be able to extend Bank of America’s investment in the UK with the creation of a new Belfast operations facility to support our global business, bringing up to 1,000 new opportunities to Northern Ireland.”
Meanwhile, Citi is investing £1.1 billion across its UK operations, including a further commitment to Northern Ireland, where it already employs over 4,000 people. Jane Fraser, CEO of Citi Group, commented, “Citi’s commitment to the UK runs deep. This is home to many of our most senior leaders and nearly 14,000 colleagues across London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Jersey. The UK isn’t simply one of our largest markets; it is core to Citi’s foundation as a truly global bank.”
Manchester is also set to benefit, with S&P Global investing more than £4 million in its local office, supporting 200 permanent jobs and reinforcing the city’s stature as a financial and technological hub. Across the UK, these investments are expected to “kickstart the growth that is essential to putting money in working people’s pockets,” as Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves told Business Standard.
Other major players are also making waves. PayPal has announced a £150 million investment in product innovations and growth, aiming to benefit both consumers and businesses throughout the UK. “The UK has always been an important region for PayPal, serving millions of customers and businesses for the last two decades,” said PayPal President & CEO Alex Chriss. “As the pioneer of e-commerce, PayPal is making a £150mm investment in UK to enable British consumers and businesses to be among the first in the world to experience our latest innovations, including AI-enabled shopping experiences.”
Broadridge Financial Solutions is opening a new flagship office in London, which will serve as its international headquarters and is set to increase its UK workforce beyond the current 750 employees. S&P Global, meanwhile, is opening a new Manchester office, marking a £4.156 million strategic investment and adding 200 permanent jobs to its nearly 3,000-strong UK workforce.
Beyond the headline figures, these investments are part of a broader economic relationship. The UK and US have invested over £1.2 trillion in each other’s economies by the end of 2023, according to official figures. The current deal lines up £20 billion in trade between the two nations, with more than £8 billion in investment and capital commitments flowing into the UK and over £12 billion moving the other way. British banks, including Barclays, have deployed over $2 trillion in capital across the U.S. in 2024, with ambitions to double this amount over the next decade.
Rothesay, the UK’s largest specialist pensions insurer, is planning to double its investment in the U.S. by £7 billion over the next few years, while OakNorth is committing over £3.5 billion to support its U.S. operations. Fintech companies such as Revolut and Starling Group are also making substantial commitments to the U.S. market, with Revolut planning to invest more than $500 million and Starling Group over $100 million to expand their American presence and create hundreds of high-quality jobs.
This surge in transatlantic investment comes on the heels of a landmark Economic Prosperity Deal struck between the UK and US in May 2025, which secured major tariff reductions for key sectors and protected jobs in the automotive and aerospace industries. However, some challenges remain—negotiations on British steel tariffs are still unresolved, with a 25% tariff in place, and lawmakers are urging the government to press for further relief and finalize agreements on aluminium and pharmaceuticals.
Committee chairman Liam Byrne cautioned, “We can’t escape the truth that Britain now trades with its biggest partner on terms that are worse than the past, the EU has in places secured a better edge, and key sectors of our economy still face the peril of new tariffs. That means jobs hang in the balance and investment waits on certainty.” The committee has also called for the UK to leverage its partnership with the US to strengthen its position against China, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, defence technology, and critical minerals.
Government officials remain upbeat about the future. Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle asserted, “Strengthening ties with the US boosts our economy, creates jobs, and secures our role in global finance. These investments reflect the strength of our enduring ‘golden corridor’ with one of our closest trading partners, ahead of the US Presidential State Visit.” A government spokesperson added, “Thanks to our trade deal, the UK is still the only country to have avoided 50% steel and aluminium tariffs. We will work with the US to implement this landmark deal as soon as possible to give industry the security they need, protect vital jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets.”
As President Trump prepares to arrive in Britain for his three-day state visit, the week ahead promises further announcements and a renewed focus on deepening the UK-US economic partnership. With billions in new investments, thousands of jobs on the horizon, and negotiations ongoing for a broader economic deal, the transatlantic alliance appears poised for a new era of growth and cooperation—one that could shape the fortunes of both nations for years to come.
