At the end of last week Merrill Lynch announced a small but significant change to its Australia investment banking organization. The move mirrors changes the bank has instigated in Asia and Japan and could explain its recent re-emergence as a major force in regional investment banking.
Essentially Merrill is splitting its two top jobs in Australia, making Kevin Skelton the Australia country head and chairman of Australia origination. At the same time, Geoff Brunsdon has been promoted from his previous position of vice chairman of MA to become head of Australian investment banking.
This split puts Brunsdon in charge of running the overall investment banking business,...
