Analysis & opinion

The Banker Board – June 15, 2023

Simon Duffy | 15/06/2023 12:12 pm
The Banker Board

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A weekly look at some of the most recent and influential people moves across the global banking industry. Simon Duffy reports.

Joanne Hannaford
David Wildermuth
Michael Ebert

UBS appointments and departures following Credit Suisse deal 

UBS has confirmed a string of new appointments to and departures from its senior leadership team following the completion of its takeover of stricken rival Credit Suisse on June 12. 

Former Credit Suisse chief technology and operations officer Joanne Hannaford will become head of technology for UBS’s US wealth unit, and former Credit Suisse executive board member David Wildermuth has been appointed as chief risk officer for UBS’s Americas division as well as its combined US legal entities.

Michael Ebert, former co-head of markets at Credit Suisse, will become the most senior investment banker to be retained by UBS following the takeover. Mr Ebert will take on the newly created role as head of Americas for UBS’s investment bank in addition to serving as sole head of Credit Suisse’s business within UBS’s investment bank. 

Among the notable departures from former Credit Suisse’s senior management are Dixit Joshi, chief financial officer; David Miller, co-head of the investment bank; Edwin Low, head of the Asia-Pacific region; and Ken Pang, co-head of markets. 

Four Credit Suisse executive board members will retain their roles. André Helfenstein will remain as CEO of the Swiss bank, Christine Graeff as head of human resources, Francesca McDonagh as chief operating officer, and Nita Patel as chief compliance officer.
Pedro Castro e Almeida

Pedro Castro e Almeida, regional head for Europe – Santander

Santander has appointed Pedro Castro e Almeida, current chief executive of Santander Portugal, as regional head for Europe. He will replace António Simões, who is leaving the bank to take on a new role as group chief executive of Legal and General Group.

Mr Castro e Almeida will assume responsibility for Santander’s businesses in Europe, which include its operations in Spain, the UK, Poland and Portugal. He will report to group chief executive Héctor Grisi and continue in his current position as CEO of Santander Portugal.

Mr Castro e Almeida joined Santander Portugal in 1993 and has been CEO for the past five years. Prior to that, he was a board member of Santander Portugal and held various leadership roles within the bank.
Alex Bettamio

Alexandre Bettamio, co-head of global investment banking – Bank of America

Bank of America has promoted its Latin America business head, Alexandre Bettamio, to co-head of global investment banking. Mr Bettamio will run the business unit alongside Thomas Sheehan, and both will report to Matthew Koder, president of corporate and investment banking. 

Mr Bettamio, a former UBS and Banco Pactual banker, was made chief executive of Bank of America’s Brazilian operation in 2008, before rising to president of its Latin America division in 2013. Augusto Urmeneta, head of investment banking in Latin America, will succeed Mr Bettamio as the division’s new president.
Chantal Geall

Chantal Geall, chief risk officer – British Business Bank

The British Business Bank, a UK government-owned business development bank, has appointed Chantal Geall as its new chief risk officer. She joins from Lumon Pay, a private equity-backed firm that provides payment services and foreign exchange to private individuals, small businesses and institutions.

Prior to that, she was chief risk officer for Homes England and has held senior roles at the Co-operative Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland, where she served as chief credit officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, leading a team of 170 responsible for managing large corporate and financial institution credit.
Fernando Ortega

Fernando Ortega, head of emerging market sales – KNG Securities

Fixed-income investment banking boutique KNG Securities has appointed former VTB Capital global head of fixed-income sales Fernando Ortega as its new head of emerging market sales.

Mr Ortega joins KNG Securities with more than 30 years’ experience in emerging markets. Prior to VTB Capital, he worked at Morgan Stanley as head of institutional and onshore sales and at Santander’s corporate and investment banking business as European head of emerging market sales.

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