Merrill Lynch snags two from SG in Asia

Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) has snatched two derivatives specialists from SG Securities Global Equities, in a move to strengthen its position in the region's equity derivatives markets, according to the bank.

Young Suh, previously director of equity derivatives at SG, joins the bank as a director based in Hong Kong. Reporting to Anthony Stalker, managing director and head of Asia-Pacific equity markets, Suh will head the bank's equity derivatives sales efforts for Korea, and will be responsible for developing its derivatives franchise.

Suh has 10 years of derivatives and structured product sales experience in Seoul and Hong Kong. Prior to joining SG in 1999, he worked at BT AlexBrown and Daiwa Securities, in Seoul.

In addition, John Kim has been hired as assistant vice-president, reporting to Suh. Prior to joining SG in 2000 as an equity derivatives executive, Kim held positions at Prudential Bache Private Banking in Hong Kong, and McLaughlin, Pivien, Vogel Securities in Chicago. Kim will also be based in Hong Kong.