THE US-born investment banker who sat on the Independent Commission on Banking is reported to be a front-runner to replace Antonio Horta-Osorio as chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group if the Portuguese executive does not return from sick leave.

Bill Winters has been linked with several big banking jobs since leaving JP Morgan Chase in 2009. Mr Winters is reported to be on a shortlist prepared by Lloyds Banking Group’s chairman Sir Win Bischoff.

Other names put in the frame include David Roberts, a former head of Barclays Bank’s business and international retail operations who is a director of Lloyds Banking Group, and Richard Meddings, finance director of Standard Chartered.

Last Wednesday, Lloyds Banking Group said Mr Horta-Osorio, above, is taking a leave of absence from his duties due to illness but is expected to return before the year-end. A spokesman declined to comment on reports about who might replace him.