The Westpac Group (ASX:WBC) today announced Greg Bartlett will be retiring as St.George's CEO effective December 2010 after a career of nearly 30 years with the bank.

Mr Bartlett joined St.George in 1982 and has held a variety of senior positions during his career, including 18 years on the Executive Management Committee.

Westpac chief executive Gail Kelly thanked Mr Bartlett for his significant contribution to St.George over many years, saying "The Westpac/St.George merger has exceeded our already high expectations, and this is in no small part due to Greg's efforts. Under his leadership St.George has continued to build on the distinct brand attributes that make it so successful, and its customer advocacy remains the highest of the five largest banks."

"He will leave St.George in great shape," Ms Kelly said.

She announced that Rob Chapman, who has been the CEO of BankSA for more than eight years, will replace Mr Barlett.

According to Westpac, BankSA has maintained a continuous record of double-digit growth in cash earnings under Mr Chapman's leadership. He has also served on the Executive Committee of St.George throughout that period.

"We are very fortunate to have an executive of Rob's calibre ready to step into the role as St.George's CEO," Mrs Kelly said.

"His deep multi-brand expertise at St.George and BankSA, combined with exceptional banking and commercial acumen, make Rob an ideal appointment," she said.

A new CEO of BankSA will be announced shortly.