ANZ names Lloyds ‘high-flier’ as overseas chief

Former Lloyds banker Andrew Geczy has been appointed as the new boss of overseas operations at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ).

ANZ linked to a bid for some Lloyds businesses in Australia. Picture: Getty

In his role as chief executive of international and institutional banking, Citigroup veteran Geczy will be responsible for growing the firm’s presence across the Asia Pacific region.

ANZ chief executive Michael Smith said: “He is an experienced global banker with a track record in leading international growth businesses.”

Former colleagues at Lloyds described Geczy – who previously ran its wholesale banking and markets business – as a “high-flier” who had been tipped to take over as chief executive of the wholesale arm when Truett Tate retired in February last year.

However, the bank brought in Andrew Bester from Asia-focused Standard Chartered and Geczy left at the start of this year, shortly after Tate was named chief executive of ANZ’s American business.

Melbourne-based ANZ has been linked to a bid for the asset finance and commercial lending arms of Lloyds in Australia.

The state-backed lender, which is withdrawing from a range of “non-core” activities, declined to comment on reports it has received approaches for the businesses that value them at £584.4 million. Other firms that are said to be interested include Macquarie Group and Clydesdale-owner National Australia Bank.

Lloyds also remained tight-lipped amid reports it is poised to sell its German insurance business, Heidelberger Leben, to rival Hannover Re for about €400m (£341m).