ANZ names international head to lead Asia push ANZ Bank has picked an American banker from Lloyds, Andrew Géczy, to lead its push to become a ""super-regional"" lender by expanding further into Asia. Since the departure of Alex Thursby in April, ANZ has been on a global head hunt for an executive to run its international and institutional division, which is driving the bank's Asia strategy. Analysts have said that whoever replaced Mr Thursby could be seen as a potential successor to current group chief executive Mike Smith, who expects to stay in the role for another two to three years. Unlike the Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and NAB, ANZ has an explicit goal of obtaining 25 to 30 per cent of income from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and America by 2017. Mr Géczy, 50, is an institutional banker who previously ran wholesale banking and markets at Lloyds, with 25 years in the industry. Before Lloyds, Mr Géczy worked at an investment advisory business he founded in London, and he has also worked at Citigroup in corporate and institutional lending. In its search for a replacement for Mr Thursby, the bank sought out an executive with deep experience in global institutional banking, which is the main driver of ANZ's push into Asia. Mr Smith said Mr Géczy would provide a ""significant addition"" to the bank's management ranks, and the new executive was well placed to lead the bank's expansion plans across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. He is an experienced global banker with a track record in leading international growth businesses including Asia. He also has a strong focus on building long-term client relationships and a deep understanding in every area of our institutional product offering,"" Mr Smith said. Mr Géczy, who will start in the role next month, will inherit a business that has been under pressure recently. Last week ANZ said its international and institutional business had dragged on group earnings growth in the latest quarter, as margins were squeezed by stiff competition and very low interest rates.