LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) - Britain's finance ministry

said on Wednesday it had appointed Bank of America ( BAC )

executive Jim O'Neil as a senior official to help in its drive

to grow the economy faster.

O'Neil, who has headed up corporate and investment banking

for Bank of America ( BAC ) in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will

start in July, the finance ministry said in a statement.

"I'm very pleased to welcome Jim as our new Second Permanent

Secretary, his extensive knowledge of the private sector will be

vital in helping us deliver our number one mission to grow the

economy," Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said.