HSBC appoints new commercial banking head

He succeeds John Blanthorne who has been transferred to Jersey, as Executive Director of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited.

Mr. Bradley joined the HSBC Group in 1988, and during his career has worked in London, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Mumbai and Singapore in a range of Commercial Banking roles including business development, Trade Services, credit, and relationship management.

Mr. Bradley assumes responsibility for the innovative evolution of HSBC's commercial Banking business across the Middle East region, including Transactional Banking, Trade Services, Small, Medium-sized and enterprises, Payments and Cash Management in view to increasing the volume of commercial banking business offered to Investment Banking Global markets and Private Banking.

Mr. Niall Booker, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited said,

'Keith has precisely the kind of specialised experience in Commercial Banking that we require for this critical role. HSBC has led the industry in the region through the development of innovative products and services tailored to customers' needs and its success was recongnised recently with Euromoney's 'Best for Cash Management in the Middle East' and Trade Finance magazine's 'Best Trade Bank in Middle East and North Africa' awards. As the local economies grow and this sector opens up its need for capital, increased sophistication of product and diversification of geographical base will also grow and HSBC is well placed to meet these needs.'