Citigroup has appointed a senior political aide to US President George Bush as an adviser on government affairs - the bank's second senior hire in 24 hours.

Sandy Weill, chairman and chief executive of Citigroup, has hired Nick Calio to oversee the bank's workings with the US Federal and state governments as well as governments around the world. Calio will be a member of Citigroup's management committee. On Monday Citigroup hired Deborah Hopkins to head corporate strategy.