Nearly three years after joining HSBC to lead its banking activities in Italy, Tavano will add France, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Nordics and the Netherlands to her country portfolio.

With more than 25 years of professional experience, mostly in the banking industry, Tavano moved to HSBC from Citigroup Italy, where she was managing director at the corporate and investment banking division as well as vice chair corporate bank and head of public sector.

Tavano, who replaces Frederic Coutant at HSBC, will split her time between Paris and Milan. She will report to Lisa Mc Geough, head of global banking Europe, and work alongside Jean Manuel Richier.

(Reporting by Valentina Za; editing by David Evans)