* UBS stepping up brokerage and advisory efforts
* Coutinho held key Latam leadership posts at HSBC
* Outgoing UBS Brazil chief Salles to retire
SAO PAULO, May 20 (Reuters) - UBS AG on Mondayappointed Sylvia Coutinho as chief executive officer for itsunit in Brazil, where the bank is stepping up its focus onbrokerage and advisory work.
Coutinho, who most recently worked as the head of retailbanking and wealth management for Latin America and assetmanagement for the Americas at HSBC Holdings PLC, willstart on June 24 and replace outgoing CEO Lywal Salles, who isretiring, UBS said in a written statement.
Earlier this year, UBS completed its takeover of LinkInvestimentos, marking the start of full-fledgedinvestment-banking, brokerage and wealth management operationsin Latin America's largest economy.
Coutinho will be responsible for "further strengthening thefirm's presence in Brazil and overseeing the firm's strategy todeliver its integrated resources ... to its private, corporateand institutional clients in the country," the statement added.
HSBC Holdings (HSBA)