Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has hired ex-Citi banker Chris Boadle as part of its strategy to expand its trade business throughout Asia.

Boadle has joined the bank as head of trade, Southeast Asia. He will continue to be based in Singapore where he had previously been working as vice-president, Asean and South Asia bank services, Asia Pacific global transaction services at Citi.

He will be working to drive CBA’s trade business conducted via Singapore as well as supporting the trade activities carried out via Mumbai and across the bank’s Indonesian branch network.

Since the beginning of 2011 CBA has hired trade staff in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai and London, with the aim being to support existing customers and widen the bank’s client base with a particular focus on natural resources and commodities sectors.