Laurentian Bank of Canada today announced the appointment of Réjean Robitaille to the position of senior executive vice president and chief operating officer. This decision also designates Robitaille as the successor to Raymond McManus, president and CEO, who would like to retire in early 2007.

Robitaille joined Laurentian Bank in 1988. He quickly rose to senior executive vp, retail and commercial financial services, the position he held until now.

He has also worked as senior vp and treasurer and as executive vp overseeing the bank’s retail services.

Prior to that, he was vp, business development, retail banking, and worked in control and purchasing and in internal audit. Robitaille is a Chartered Accountant and a financial planner.

Robitaille will continue to be responsible for the three lines of business currently reporting to him — retail financial services, commercial financial services and B2B Trust. Henceforth, he will be involved in Laurentian Bank’s overall operations.

McManus will continue to lead the bank’s activities as president and CEO of Laurentian Bank until his retirement.