"A big thank you to you all for organising this programme. I am now even more motivated and determined than ever to get to where I want to career-wise, and this has definitely helped me to believe that I can do it."

Applications are now open for Bank of America Merrill Lynch's third Returning Talent programme, which aims to help bridge the gap between being a stay-at-home parent or carer and re-entering the workplace. In partnership with the Mumsnet Family Friendly programme and The Executive Coaching Consultancy, the bank is looking to attract women and men from a range of backgrounds including finance, legal and other professional services where their most recent role featured a transferable skill set.

Building on the success of the past two years, the 2014 programme begins with a conference (28 February), which will explore changes in the workplace through speaker sessions and workshops. People who have been out of work for three or more years to care for a family member are invited to apply for one of the 50 available places via the bank's careers website.

Following the conference, 20 participants will be invited to take part in Returning Talent 2014. This year's programme consists of two full day workshops (12 and 19 March) supporting a transition back to work and offering practical guidance on CV writing and interview coaching, insights into balancing work and home lives, and access to executive coaching. At the end of the programme, it is anticipated that participants will feel better equipped and confident to re-enter the world of work.

On her involvement in the last year's Returning Talent programme, a past participant said, "A big thank you to you all for organising this programme. I am now even more motivated and determined than ever to get to where I want to career-wise, and this has definitely helped me to believe that I can do it."

Lauren Saunders, head of Diversity and Inclusion for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said, "At Bank of America Merrill Lynch we are committed to attracting, recruiting and developing diverse talent. We recognise that choosing to have a family is a very important stage in one's life and also that many people decide to take time away from work to focus on caring for their family.

"Through Returning Talent we are giving these people the skills and knowledge necessary for re-entering the workplace. Added to this, we are helping them to recognise the many talents they have acquired during their time at home and so boosting their confidence."

Notes to Editors

  • Returning Talent Dates and Application Details: All sessions will be hosted at Bank of America Merrill Lynch's Canary Wharf offices.
  • Returning Talent Conference: 28 February 2014 - 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Returning Talent Programme: Workshop 1: Wednesday, 12 March 2014, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Workshop 2: Wednesday, 19 March 2014, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • To apply: click here and complete the application form by Friday, 31 January 2014.

Mumsnet
Mumsnet is the UK's biggest network for parents, with over 50 million page views and ten million visits per month. It has 200 local sites, as well as a network of nearly 4,000 bloggers. It regularly campaigns on issues such as support for families of children with SEN, improvements in miscarriage care and freedom of speech on the internet. The Mumsnet Family Friendly programme now covers around 1,000,000 employees and includes 18 members, who are each developing family friendly initiatives in business practices and workplace culture.

The Executive Coaching Consultancy
Launched in 1994 and one of the first dedicated executive coaching companies, the Executive Coaching Consultancy created the first Maternity Coaching Programmes. ECC are now a leading voice in industry helping organisations tackle the issues they face in retaining female talent.  Having coached thousands of women ECC have established themselves as experts in supporting individuals returning to work and successfully combining their career and family lives.

Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. We serve approximately 51 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,200 retail banking offices and approximately 16,200 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users and more than 14 million mobile users. Bank of America is among the world's leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is the marketing name for the global banking and global markets businesses of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., member FDIC. Securities, strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("Investment Banking Affiliates"), including, in the United States, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., all of which are registered broker-dealers and members of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp. are registered as futures commission merchants with the CFTC and are members of the NFA. Investment products offered by Investment Banking Affiliates:  Are Not FDIC Insured * May Lose Value * Are Not Bank Guaranteed.

Copyright 2014 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, Broadcort and their logos are trademarks of Bank of America Corporation and/or its affiliates.

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Reporters May Contact:
Elizabeth Wood, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, +44.020.7995.7731
elizabeth.wood@baml.com

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