Reuters reports that Ren, who will be responsible for the firm's strategic direction in China, was the China investment banking Chairman for Merrill Lynch from 2007 to 2009.
Citigroup is hiring seven bankers in Japan in anticipation that more companies will make cross-border acquisitions and restructure, two people with knowledge of the situation said.
Bloomberg also reports that Olivier Barret, Pierre-Arnaud de Lacharriere and Francois Vigne are joining forces to create Sycomore Corporate Finance, an acquisition and financial advisory boutique.
The three partners own a majority stake in the Paris-based firm backed by Sycomore Asset Management, according to a statement by the new firm. Sycomore Corporate Finance has a team of about 10 investment bankers and a network of partners abroad.
Reuters reports that U.S. investment bank Jefferies Group Inc is to start up an energy hub in Singapore after it got a capital markets services license for futures trading from the island state's government.
Finally, Bloomberg reports that Morgan Stanley has named Travis Machen as co-head of its North American bank group, which advises depository institutions on mergers and acquisitions and helps them issue stocks and bonds.
Machen will head the group alongside Grant Gregory, who was put in charge of the unit last year, according to a memo obtained by Bloomberg News.
BofA hires Margaret Ren as BofA Merrill China chairman - memo
Citigroup Said to Hire Seven Bankers in Japan on M&A Outlook
Former Credit Suisse Banker Barret Creates M&A Boutique
Jefferies to open Singapore operations, build energy, forex team
Morgan Stanley Names Machen Co-Head of North America Bank Group
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