Thomas A. Renyi is embarking on the biggest deal of his career less than three months after being named Bank of New York Co. chairman.
The 52-year-old chief executive said Wednesday that his 27 years with the bank prepared him well for this challenge - a $24 billion unsolicited bid for Mellon Bank Corp. of Pittsburgh.
Bank of New York has made 33 acquisitions since 1993, mainly to build its securities processing and custody capabilities. Mr. Renyi said those large-scale integrations and computer system conversions "honed our skills."
Chosen to succeed the departing J. Carter Bacot in February, Mr. Renyi had been serving as chief executive officer of the $60 billion- asset bank since 1996 and as president since 1992.
Analysts said he has a low-key management style, shunning the spotlight but intensely focusing on building the bank's stature and market share.
Mr. Renyi's first big chance to shine came in the $1 billion-plus unsolicited bid for Irving Bank Corp. in 1987. By October 1988, Bank of New York had prevailed in the hostile confrontation.
Mr. Renyi, who led the post-merger integration team, said there are similarities between the Irving and Mellon offers.
"Bank of New York back then was strong domestically, while Irving was international," he said. "It was very complementary, as this deal is now."
