Co-op bank finance chief quits James Mack, 41, has taken a job with another financial services company and will leave the Co-operative Bank once a replacement has been found. The Co-op signed a £750m deal last year to buy the so-called "Project Verde" branch business from Lloyds Banking Group. The resignation of Mr Mack is likely to raise questions about the ability of the mutual to complete the deal, as well as the management of its bank. Paul Pester, the chief executive of the Verde business, is due to take over the running of the Co-operative Bank once the deal is complete. Verde already has its own head of finance, Darren Pope, who is expected to transfer across with Mr Pester to the Co-op if it completes the deal to buy the branches. A source with knowledge of the situation said that few were surprised by Mr Mack's decision to leave. The Co-op is likely to appoint an interim chief financial officer to replace him to see through the acquisition of the branches. Concerns are growing again about the ability of the Co-op to finalise the deal. Lloyds is due to rebrand the branches being sold over the summer. It is thought to be likely that the bank will want assurances from the mutual at this point that it will be able to buy the business. Lloyds must sell the branches by the end of November as part of an agreement with the European Commission. However, the Co-op is facing tough scrutiny from regulators over its ability to run the business.