Hand choosing employee group of businessmen new job appointment notice
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Montreal-based National Bank on Wednesday announced changes to its executive team to accommodate the upcoming retirement of Diane Giard, executive vice president, personal-commercial banking and marketing.

The changes are part of National Bank’s succession planning process and will come into effect on June 4, the bank says in a news release.

Giard joined the bank in 2011 as executive vice president — marketing and, less than one year later, assumed leadership of personal-commercial banking before finally taking on both roles in 2017.

Lucie Blanchet, currently serving as senior vice president – distribution, solutions and processes will become executive vice president – personal banking and marketing. Blanchet is a chartered professional accountant and has over 22 years of banking experience. She joined the bank in 2002 as part of the risk management team and has held various leadership positions in personal and commercial banking.

Stéphane Achard, currently serving as senior vice president – commercial banking, Canada and international, will become executive vice-president – commercial banking and insurance. Having joined the bank in 2017, Achard has extensive experience in the financial services industry and is well known in the business community.

Blanchet and Achard will be joining the bank’s office of the president and will report directly to Louis Vachon, president and CEO of National Bank.