UniCredit, the largest Italian bank, has appointed Helmut Bernkopf as head of its private banking division, reporting to general manager Roberto Nicastro.

Bernkopf had since September 2008 been head of corporate and investment banking at UniCredit's Bank Austria unit and a member of the Austrian bank's management board. He has worked at Bank Austria since 1994.

"Today UniCredit Private Banking is among the first players in Europe and the first in core countries like Italy, Austria and Poland. Providing service and advisory to our primary customers, especially in this tough and interconnected markets scenario, is a challenge that requires strong leadership and an international approach,” said Nicastro.