HelloI come from an IT Consulting background in the big 4 and am looking for a career change of pace. How easy is it to get into IT at a bank or something similar and how does it pay?

very well trodden path, pay obviously depends on what unique skills you bring to the table - IBs obviously pay better than retail banks but expect more of you. IBs stuffed with ex consultants and have low tolerance for generic consultant BS

rc - do you know what sort of IT consulting skills retail banks and IBs are looking for at the moment. From what I've seen (superficial scan only) its either strong project/programme management skills or very specific IT process management skills(i.e. release management, risk management, capacity management, etc) that's in demand. Another observation - seems to me that the banks LOVE contractors and prefer this model when it comes to taking on IT consultants.

I would echo rc's comments on their low tolerance for consultant BS. On the assumption (as you are a consultant) that you have tended to provide consulting for someone else to then implement you may have difficulty making your plans work in practice owing to limited experience in doing so. So have a think about how/whether you would be able to do that.