Sovereign Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Banco Santander, has appointed Carlos Garcia as chief of staff.

Garcia was the chairman of the board, president and chief executive of the Government Development Bank of Puerto Rico and brings 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. In his new role, he will also serve as chief of corporate affairs and communications officer. He takes over from Edvaldo Morata and reports to Jorge Moran, president and CEO of Sovereign Bank and country head of Santander businesses in the US.

Sovereign Bank serves principal markets in the northeastern US and has around 700 branches. Its parent firm, Banco Santander, is headquartered in Spain.