Scotiabank executive Anya Schnoor will head to Trinidad & Tobago to head up the banking group’s operations in the twin island republic.

The firm announced on Friday that Schnoor will succeed Richard Young as Country Head of Scotiabank Trinidad. Young retires on October 31, 2012.

Schnoor previously held high level positions with Scotiabank in her native Jamaica. She is the former executive vice-president of Scotiabank Jamaica’s wealth management and insurance division, which included Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance Company, Scotia Private Client Group and Scotia Investments Jamaica.

Schnoor resigned from her positions at Scotiabank Jamaica in October to, according to the company at the time, assume a developmental position with Scotiabank in Toronto, Canada. Scotia said on Friday that Schnoor has over the past several months been participating in an executive orientation programme in preparation for the top job in Trinidad.

“Her extensive background in wealth management and insurance combined with her strong leadership skills will serve her well as head of Scotiabank Trinidad & Tobago,” said the firm.

Schnoor has 20 years of experience in the areas of wealth management and banking and holds an MBA from Barry University in Florida, and a BA in Finance and International Business from Florida International University.

She has sat on the Boards of Scotia Investments Jamaica Limited, Scotia Fund Managers Limited, Asset Management Company Limited and the Scotia Caribbean Income Fund, in addition to serving as member of the Scotiabank Jamaica’s Asset and Liability Committee (ALCO).

She has also served as President of the Jamaica Security Dealers Association, Director of the Board of the Jamaica Stock Exchange, The Jamaica Cricket Development Foundation and a member of the Finance Committee of the Heart Trust NTA.

Scotiabank Trinidad posted net profits of TT$141.6 million ($1.9 billion) for the first quarter ending January 31, 2012, six per cent more than the corresponding period the year prior.