The third largest bank in the United States, Citigroup Inc., announced today that Zdenek Turek is the firm's new Western Europe head, replacing James Cowles.

Turek, originally from the Czech Republic, is currently serving East and Central Europe, said Citigroup spokesman Denis Denisov in an interview held in St. Petersburg.

Denisov said that Turek will work in both offices in London and Moscow until a replacement is found.

Michael Corbat, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup, restructured the company's non-American operations in January. He appointed Cowles to replace him as head of the Western Europe division. Cowles also headed the Middle East and African operations.

Four months ago, Citigroup Inc. hired Luigi de Vecci, a former Credit Suisse Group AG banker, as its chairman for the entire Europe corporate and investment banking operations.

Turek worked as a country officer for the firm's South African and Hungarian offices. He joined the company in the Czech Republic and was transferred to Romania as country head.