BofA names capital markets executive head of commercial banking

Bank of America Corp has named capital markets co-head Alastair Borthwick its head of commercial banking, in a shuffling of veteran executives.

Borthwick, a former Goldman Sachs Group Inc executive who joined the bank in 2005, replaces Laura Whitley, who will take a position in consumer banking, according to a memo sent to employees. Commercial banking has been a bright spot for Bank of America, whose profits have been dragged down by mortgage-related losses since the financial crisis.

Borthwick will report to Tom Montag, the co-chief operating officer who runs global banking and markets operations. Lisa Carnoy remains the head of global capital markets.

Whitley, who has been with the bank more than 25 years, will become head of consumer services, operations and unsecured credit, reporting to David Darnell, the bank's co-chief operating officer who focuses on consumer and wealth management businesses. She will preside over call centers, consumer product operations, unsecured credit and collections, according to the memo.

Bank of America is under pressure to increase revenue in its consumer banking business, which is grappling with low interest rates and new regulations that have cut into income from fees. The bank faced a customer backlash in 2011 over a proposed $5 monthly debit card fee that it later canceled.

Borthwick will be the bank's third head of commercial banking since the fall of 2011, when Darnell was promoted out of the spot to become co-chief operating officer, and Whitley took over the position.

Bank of America reports fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday.

(Reporting By Rick Rothacker in Charlotte, North Carolina; Editing by Leslie Adler)