BofA Merrill Lynch exec Huang Xiaoguang named ANZ China CEO

ANZ has tapped Huang Xiaoguang, a senior executive from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, to run its China business.

ANZ has tapped a senior executive from Bank of America Merrill Lynch to run its China business, the latest high-profile recruit by the Australian lender as it pursues an aggressive growth strategy in Asia.

The bank has appointed Huang Xiaoguang as chief executive for China and head of Greater China, based in Shanghai. Mr Huang will join from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he was most recently co-head of global corporate and investment banking in the US bank’s China business. He previously held roles at ABN Amro and Citigroup and replaces Li Quan, who resigned in August.

The new hire comes just months after ANZ recruited one of Citigroup’s most senior bankers in Asia, Farhan Faruqui, as chief executive for international banking. Mr Huang will report to Mr Faruqui.

“It says something about the franchise we have that we are continuing to attract some ­people of strong experience and strong reputation in the marketplace,” said Andrew Geczy, ANZ’s chief executive for international and institutional banking.

ANZ has been steadily lifting its profile in key Asian markets as part of a strategy to build a “super regional bank”.

Separately ANZ has also appointed former Citigroup banker Scott Collary as chief information officer.

Mr Collary was previously chief information officer with Citigroup’s consumer North America and global cards business.