In Brief: B of A Taps Ex-Chief Of Barnett for New Job

BankAmerica Corp. Wednesday named Charles Rice, formerly chairman of Barnett Banks Inc., vice chairman of corporate development, a new post.

Mr. Rice will head the Charlotte, N.C., company's efforts to develop individual and corporate relationships. Mr. Rice, who got the title of chairman at NationsBank Corp. after it bought Barnett Jan. 8, also will help other top executives identify business opportunities for BankAmerica, the company said.

After NationsBank's Sept. 30 merger with BankAmerica, Mr. Rice, 63, remained an officer of the successor banking company, though his role was unclear.

The appointment will bring valuable banking experience to BankAmerica, said R. Jay Tejera, an analyst at Dain Rauscher in Minneapolis.

"In the past several years, Barnett got a lot of brownie points for their very good work in understanding customers, data mining, and developing relationships," Mr. Tejera said.