SAO PAULO, April 17 (Reuters) - Citi announced on

Friday the appointment of two executives to its commercial

banking business for Latin America and Brazil.

Gaurang Hattangdi was appointed head of the area for the

region, a position he will hold in addition to his global role

overseeing coverage and lending, the American bank said in a

press release.

Jose Alberto Benamor, meanwhile, will expand his

responsibilities and become the new head of commercial banking

in Brazil.

Both appointments are effective immediately, according to

the bank. They follow the appointment of Andre Cury as head of

Citi in Brazil last month.