The chief executive of Dexia Private Bank (Switzerland) in Bahrain has left the bank and returned to Switzerland, WealthBriefing can exclusively report.

Markus Hermanek has left the firm’s office in Manama but his future plans are as yet unknown, the bank said when asked by this publication about the matter.

Mr Hermanek has been replaced by George Karam, who comes from inside Dexia.

There have been a number of high-level management shifts at the Benelux-owned banking group and its private banking division. In October last year, this publication revealed that Jean Louis Platteau left Dexia Private Bank (Suisse) after less than eight months in the role of chief executive for Switzerland. Mr Platteau was replaced by Eddy Vanden Berg with effect from 26 August. Mr Vanden Berg has been with the group for three decades.