PRIVATE bank Coutts & Co has appointed banker Dave Carman to expand its business on Teesside.

Mr Carman, who will concentrate on the Middlesbrough, Darlington and Hartlepool areas, becomes the sixth private banker to be recruited by the North-East office,in Newcastle.

Having spent 25 years with NatWest, Mr Carman has more than 15 years' experience in local banking. His most recent position was as a relationship manager and investment consultant for people on Teesside.

Coutts announced plans for the significant expansion of its regional office network at the end of 2003. As part of its expansion plans, it has been increasing the number of private bankers in its regional offices by as much as 60 per cent.