HSBC Heard Appointing LatAm Loans Head

HSBC is understood to have appointed Monica Macia to run its LatAm loans effort. The UK bank declines to comment on the rumor – which is widespread in the LatAm bank market – other than to express commitment to all of its businesses in the region. Veteran loans banker Macia left Citi in early June. She had rejoined Citi in April 2008 after a 1-year stint heading LatAm loans at UBS. Prior to UBS, Macia was at Citi for 14 years. Latterly, she was working in the loans sales and trading department at the US bank, and is known in the market for her sales and distribution skills. Her expected arrival at HSBC next month coincides with the recent departure of Federico Fiorentini, who had led LatAm loan origination. It is unclear whether the bank will hire someone separate for origination or use its existing network on the ground. HSBC is understood to be beefing up acquisition finance capabilities to boost a fledgling M&A effort. It is competing with an increasing number of banks – both local and international – that are deploying more balance sheet in the region to win business.