Bank of America has appointed senior vice president Neil Rapson as Swift planning and development manager, creating a global co-ordination point for Swift-related product, operations, networks and technology issues.
Rapson, who will continue to be based at the US bank's offices in Bromley, UK, will be responsible for driving the Bank of America global strategy and coordination with the financial messaging network.
Bob Johnson, head of international treasury & trade product management for Bank of America, says the appointment reflects a strategic decision by the bank to increase its visibility in the global market for Swift-related services.
"We understand the importance of Swift to us and our clients - and have taken the step to define and implement an enterprise-wide strategy for Swift services," he says.
Rapson joined Bank of America in 1986 in the international systems development (ISD) group. He held various positions in ISD over 12 years, performing a lead role in the euro migration, before moving to the bank's product group. Here, Rapson managed the development of the systems infrastructure supporting the international business for global treasury services and then served as head of Emea product management.
The bank says Rapson will work closely with Libby Ghekiere who continues in her current role as the Bank of America Swift relationship manager, functioning as the bank's day-to-day contact with the Brussels-based co-operative. Ghekiere also continues as an elected representative on the Swift US national user group.