Bank of America on Tuesday named a...

Bank of America on Tuesday named a new director of its retail financial-services division, charged with continuing the bank’s drive to consolidate branches and expand its automated teller system.

F. R. (Pete) Talbott will replace James P. Miscoll, 50, who last week moved into a newly created post as Bank of America’s chief executive for Southern California.

Talbott, 43, whose new title is executive vice president for retail financial services, previously served as senior vice president and chief of national retail delivery.

“With the appointment of Pete Talbott, we have replaced quality with quality in a very key job,” said Bank of America President Samuel H. Armacost. “In his new capacity, Talbott will be charged with the continued adjustment of our highly successful California retail network to new market conditions.”

That process last year involved the consolidation of 132 branches, reduction of the retail work force by about 3,700 persons and expansion of the California electronic teller network to 1,200 machines.

Bank of America also announced promotions of three other executives.

Clyde R. Claus, 53, executive vice president in charge of the trust division, will also manage the private banking group. Armacost said the appointment would help the bank “cross sell” services to individuals and institutions with sizable portfolios.

In the bank’s international divisions, Richard L. Saalfeld, 41, will become executive vice president for North American operations, replacing Mont E. McMillen Jr.

McMillen, 49, assumes the newly created job of executive vice president for planning and administration, in charge of personnel, finance, credit and marketing for the bank’s worldwide divisions.