The bank said that the move is part of an ongoing strategy to enhance retail and commercial banking operations throughout North America under the leadership of US consumer and commercial banking president Cece Stewart and global commercial banking head Sunil Garg.
In his new role, Howle will oversee a business unit comprised of 1,000 employees.
Howle will keep his role as COO of US consumer banking which he has had since January 2011 in addition to this new role.
Stewart said that as the bank’s COO, Howle has shown that he can develop strong teams and execute with exceptional efficiencies and results, and he will bring the same energy and skill to his expanded role as it continues to grow its business.
Howle began his career at Bank of America and has also worked at Wachovia and Morgan Stanley.