Canada's CIBC shakes up leadership ranks ahead of CEO transition

Aug 12 (Reuters) - Canadian lender CIBC CM.TO reshuffled its executive team on Tuesday, as it prepares for incoming Chief Executive Officer Harry Culham to take the helm in November.

The bank named Christian Exshaw its group head of capital markets, home to its crucial investment banking arm. It also appointed Kevin Li as the U.S. region chief to boost its ranks in a key international market.

Hratch Panossian will be CIBC's head of personal and business banking, while Susan Rimmer will lead commercial banking and wealth management.

The appointments reflect the fifth largest Canadian bank's efforts to sharpen its strategic focus ahead of a leadership shift in November, when Culham will take over as CEO from veteran Victor Dodig, who is retiring.

Culham joined CIBC in Vancouver as an intern, participating in its graduate programs. He held senior banking roles in Europe and Asia before rejoining CIBC in 2008. He became the head of the capital markets unit in 2015.

Other changes at the company include the appointment of Christina Kramer as CIBC's chief administrative officer and Amy South as executive vice president of the CEO's office. Stephen Scholtz will also become the bank's global chief legal officer.