Bank of New York Mellon Corp has announced that employees will be required to work in the office four days per week starting 2 September 2025, increasing from the current three-day requirement implemented in 2023.

The announcement, made in a memo to staff from the bank's executive committee, follows similar moves across Wall Street as financial institutions reduce remote working arrangements established during the pandemic.

"As we continue to place even more emphasis on our community and culture, we believe that it is important that all of us spend more time together working, leading and learning from each other," the executive committee wrote in the memo.

The new policy will affect BNY's 51,000-plus employees worldwide. Managers at the bank had already been called back to the office four days a week earlier this year.

The shift aligns with broader industry trends, with JPMorgan Chase recently requiring staff to return to the office five days a week, reportedly prompting some employees to explore unionisation efforts or seek new employment.

Unlike some competitors, BNY emphasised its continued commitment to workplace flexibility, stating it has "no plans to return to 5 days in office unless circumstances were to demand otherwise." Employees will retain the ability to work remotely one day per week and maintain access to the bank's "work from anywhere" benefit, which allows for two weeks of remote work annually.

The executive committee highlighted the business rationale for increased office presence: "Being in the office together helps us collaborate and move work forward more efficiently. Occasional remote work can be effective, but in person we can respond more quickly to dynamic, fast-paced financial markets and better serve our clients."

The bank also referenced the "positive momentum" observed since managers began following the four-day office schedule.

BNY will continue to offer its year-end "recharge period" that allows employees to work remotely and avoid non-essential activities such as internal meetings.

The financial institution, which specialises in clearing and custody services for securities, alongside wealth management and investment advice, joins companies like Amazon and AT&T in curtailing remote work arrangements established during the pandemic years.

"One BNY is more than an idea or a concept – it's a culture, and culture is made up of people," the memo concluded, encouraging employees to embrace the upcoming changes to working arrangements.

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