HSBC bolsters its Asia-Pacific retail banking and wealth management business with the appointment of former North America RBWM head.

HSBC has bolstered its Asia-Pacific retail banking and wealth management arm, appointing a new head.

Kevin Martin assumes the role of regional head of RBWM, Asia-Pacific with immediate effect, the firm said in a statement.

Based in Hong Kong, he will be responsible for delivering the global RBWM strategy in Asia. He takes over from Louisa Cheang who has moved to London to take up a new post as HSBC's group head of retail banking.

Prior to this appointment, Martin was senior executive vice president and head of retail banking and wealth management and marketing, North America. He joined the company in 1987 and has served as head of personal financial services in Australia, as well as a number of roles in marketing, training, corporate banking and retail banking in the UK, Hong Kong, the US and Canada.

Earlier this week, the bank added to its China business; Montgomery Ho takes up the role of deputy chief executive and executive director. Ho joined the company in 1983 and has held several key management positions in commercial banking and other business divisions. He was named head of commercial banking of HSBC China in October 2010. The Hong Kong/London-listed firm's previous deputy CEO in China was Chris Davies; he is now is CEO International of HSBC Bank.

The Asia-Pacific RBWM arm covers Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam. It also operates in New Zealand and South Korea.