Citi Private Bank has strengthened its regional teams in the US with two high-profile appointments from Barclays Wealth.

Citi Private Bank in the US has appointed two senior Barclays Wealth managers to take up posts in the Wall Street firm’s regional divisions, it said yesterday.

Michael Smith will join as Midwest regional executive and Mark Connally as Southwest regional executive, Citi Private Bank said. The men will join as managing directors and report to Peter Charrington, chief executive of Citi Private Bank in North America.

Mr Smith, who will be based in Chicago, joins from Barclays Wealth where he was managing director and head of the Midwest region.  Prior to that role, Mr Smith was Midwest regional manager for Lehman Brothers Private Investment Management from 1997 until 2008.  He also spent 15 years as a principal with Morgan Stanley in Chicago.

Mr Connally, meanwhile, was managing director and Southwest regional manager. Previously, he was Southwest regional manager for Lehman Brothers from 2001 to 2008. From 1995 to 2001 he was the regional development manager for Prudential Securities. He will be based in Dallas.

"Expanding our franchise across the Midwest and the Southwest are key priorities. The knowledge and experience that Michael and Mark bring to their respective regions will be key to our success in continuing to provide outstanding service to clients, winning new business and attracting additional top private banking talent," Mr Charrington said.