Bank of America names Holliday as chairman

Bank of America Corp named DuPont's long-time chief executive, Charles Holliday, as its chairman on Wednesday, hours after the largest US consumer bank concluded its 2010 annual meeting. Holliday - the second chairman for the bank in as many years - succeeds Walter Massey, who retired from the board after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 72. Holliday, 62, said he supports the company's new focus on global growth as it aims to expand in emerging international markets. "I have an understanding of the global role this company needs to play," Holliday told Reuters in an interview. He becomes the second chairman for the bank in as many years, after former Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis lost the chairman's role at last year's contentious annual meeting. The appointment is a rapid ascension for Holliday, and is intended to solidify Bank of America's management team after a year of turmoil.