The Bank of Nova scotia appointed on Tuesday Anatol von Hahn, currently president and CEO, Grupo Scotiabank Mexico, as executive vice president, Latin America and Nicole Reich de Polignac, currently the bank’s country head in the Dominican Republic, president and CEO, Grupo Scotiabank Mexico.

“Leadership is a strategic priority for Scotiabank, and these two appointments demonstrate the bench strength we have in our executive ranks,” said Scotiabank president and CEO Rick Waugh. “Anatol has done an outstanding job of building our franchise in Mexico and we look forward to having his experience and expertise focused on our broader Latin American operations.”

In his new position, von Hahn will be based in Toronto and report to Rob Pitfield, EVP and head, International Banking, and will be responsible for overseeing Scotiabank’s operations in Mexico and the Spanish-speaking countries in the Caribbean and in Central and South America.

Reich is scheduled to begin her new position early in October. Jim Meek will replace Reich as country head in the Dominican Republic. He previously headed the successful integration of Baninter and the bank’s Dominican Republic branches in 2003.