officer, Sarath Wikramanayake has resigned.

The Sri Lankan-born chartered accountant has been with the bank for 17 years and finishes up at the end of the month.

He said yesterday, "I'm just carrying out my plan to return home eventually.

I've decided this is the right time to go. There are recent developments at home that require me to go now.

"Having lived here for a number of years, it will take me some time to tidy up my affairs here. So it will probably take me a couple of months before I actually leave the Island.

"I enjoyed working at the bank, and am sorry to leave. But it is the right time. It is not a surprise to anyone. My employers knew I wanted to go eventually and now is the right time.

"I have been offered a number of great opportunities over the years in Sri Lanka so this is also a chance to spend some time and look at my options.'' Mr. Wikramanayake has been executive vice president and chief financial officer of Bermuda's oldest bank for two years, but has been the senior executive in the bank's finance department for a number of years.

Meanwhile, executive vice president, international trusts, Graham Brooks, said yesterday the bank had in hand the matter of a replacement and he anticipated an announcement to that effect would be made soon.