UBP appointment underscores new business model

* UBP appoints head of treasury and trading

* Looks to improve units risk-to-profitability

LONDON, March 1 (Reuters) - Swiss Private bank Union Bancaire Privee has appointed Eftychia (La) Fischer as director general of the bank's treasury and trading unit as UBP tries to transform it into a major profit centre.

Fischer will be responsible for leading and managing treasury operations, and for asset and currency trading, the bank said on Monday.

The appointment is part of the bank's roll-out of a new business model with business activities separated into four main divisions: private banking, asset management, treasury and operations.

Following heavy outflows during the crisis and growing pressure on margins during since, Swiss private banks have been looking to their trading units to sustain their profitability.

Last week, UBP rival Vontobel (VONN.S) beat estimates largely due to strong trading results. [ID:nLDE61M1TV]

Previously, Fischer was global head of financial markets services and treasury, and group chief risk officer at EFG International (EFGN.S), where she was also a member of the bank's executive committee.

She has held high-level roles with Julius Baer (BAER.VX), JPMorgan (JPM.N) and UBS (UBSN.VX)(UBS.N), and has run her own asset-management company. (Reporting by Martin de Sa'Pinto; editing by Gunna Dickson)