HSBC appoints new CEO for Philippine operations

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) on Monday announced the appointment of the top officer for its Philippine operations, following the departure of Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso.

The bank said it has appointed Graham FitzGerald as president and chief executive officer of HSBC Philippines, with the effectivity of the appointment pending regulatory approval.

“Graham’s international banking experience and strong client relationship management expertise will be invaluable as he leads one of our growing markets in Asia,” said HSBC deputy chairman and chief executive for Asia Pacific Peter Wong.

“The Philippines is a key country for us, important as part of the Group’s much valued international network and for its place within the ASEAN bloc, which has a combined GDP of $2.8 trillion and a population of 650 million,” Wong noted.

FitzGerald served a variety of roles for HSBC including global relationship management, lending and transaction management, regional operations, and corporate banking.

He also served as regional chief operating officer in the United Arab Emirates, before he was Regional Head of Corporate Banking in the Middle East. In 2016, he took over as CEO of HSBC Brunei until mid-2018.

FitzGerald will take over from Veloso, the first Filipino CEO of the financial company, who is set to be the president of Philippine National Bank starting November.

“We wish to thank Wick for his 24 years with the Group and for his leadership in the Philippines since 2012,” Wong said. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News