Lugano-based PKB Privatbank is hiring a Latin American specialist for one of its core markets.

Family-owned PKB is hiring René Meyer as a senior relationship manager for Latin American private clients, effective immediately, it said in an emailed statement Thursday.

Meyer will report to Christian Martinelli, who heads private clients in the region. During his 14 years at UBS, Meyer worked in various regions such as Lugano, Zurich, Panama and Mexico.

PKB Privatbank was founded in 1958 and manages around 13 billion Swiss francs. It has had a local presence in Latin America since 2012, according to the bank's statement.