Societe Generale Private Banking has named Benedikt PA Maissen as managing director and head of ASEAN region.

Maissen has over 26 years of experience in private banking, including 22 years with major European private banks in Asia and was most recently the head of the Southeast Asia, Europe and Japan desks at Barclays Wealth in Singapore.

In his new role, he reports to Pierre F Baer, SG's chief executive officer for Singapore and South Asia in Singapore. He is responsible for pursuing the bank's growth strategy in Southeast Asia.

This key appointment confirms the company's commitment to the ASEAN region, which occupies an important position in the wealth management industry in Asia, the Societe Generale said in a statement.

SocGen is among a number of Western private banking groups which have been ramping up their recruitment in the region. Earlier in March, UBS said it was sharply increasing its wealth management advisory headcouunt in Asia.