I know it is possible to set the smaller collection image using the contract metadata, but is there a way to set the larger banner image?
https://docs.opensea.io/docs/contract-level-metadata
I also know you can set it through the UI if you are the contract owner but the contract is being owned by a system account with no access to the private keys to add in MetaMask.
No...
You need to contract OpenSea directly to have them set the ownership of the collection to another wallet you control.