Citi Private Bank has appointed Adam Smith to its Beverly Hills office as senior vice president and ultra high net worth private banker.

The move is in line with the stated aim of Peter Charrington, chief executive of the private bank in the Americas, to double its private banker headcount to 260 by 2012.

Prior to joining the bank, Smith has built a career in Southern California, working with ultra high net worth clients in the entertainment and sports industries.

Having qualified as a lawyer, Smith joins Citi Private Bank from City National Bank in Los Angeles where he was a vice president and senior client advisor, providing portfolio allocation strategies and comprehensive estate and financial planning to ultra high net worth clients. He also worked as vice president and client advisory officer with Harris Private Bank and as relationship officer with JPMorgan Private Bank in Century City.

Citi Private Bank’s aggressive expansion plans continue to attract top private banking talent across the US for clients with a minimum worth of $25 million. The bank has announced a stream of hires in recent weeks.