Based in London, Levey will report to Stuart Gulliver, group CEO.
Richard Bennett, group managing director and group general counsel, will work with Levey during a transition period and retire from HSBC after over 33 years of service at the end of 2012.
Bennett will continue as a part-time adviser to the group CEO after he retires.
Levey served as the first Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the US Department of the Treasury from July 2004 to February 2011.
Prior to his treasury appointment, he was the principal associate deputy attorney general at the US Department of Justice (DoJ).
Gulliver said that Levey’s experience dealing with international financial and legal issues is highly relevant to a global bank such as HSBC. Stuart will be able to draw on Richard’s extensive experience over the next few months.