 Calling them “the best” of the securities industry in Europe, Financial News this month cited five Merrill Lynch bankers as “rising stars.”
In its annual survey of finance professionals who are not yet 40 years old, Financial News noted that selecting top bankers is a “tricky task when markets seem poised on the brink of collapse.”
“After a period when success and its financial rewards have been easy to come by, we are entering a phase when only the best are likely to shine,” the magazine said. It added that the 100 men and women selected should emerge “with their reputations enhanced.”
Top performers were evaluated in four areas: their achievements, the stature of their mentors, the assets or resources they oversee and their potential.
Following are Financial News’ comments on the five Merrill Lynch bankers:
Director Marco Baldini, corporate syndicate:
“A rising star last year, Baldini was hired by Merrill in March as part of the bank’s move to strengthen its European debt capital markets team. Baldini spent 12 years at Barclays Capital and was one of its most influential bond syndicate bankers, building the bank’s corporate debt franchise – a feat he will be looking to replicate at Merrill.” |
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VP Oliver Holbourn and Director Aukse Jurkute, co-heads of European equity syndicate:
“One of the youngest double acts in the City, Holbourn and Jurkute were handed control of Merrill’s equity syndicate in June. Recent successes include the €13.6 billion Fortis rights issue and the £2.3 billion British Energy privatisation.” |
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MD Andrew Thompson, head of equity sales trading, EMEA:
“A talented trader who has moved into management at a remarkably young age. Thompson joined Merrill from Cambridge University in 1998 and traded technology, media and telecoms stocks in London and New York. Ran large cap trading in Europe for two years before being handed control of equity sales trading in 2005. Coverage responsibilities extend to electronic trading and hedge funds.” |
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Director Keyvan Zolfaghari, head of EMEA convertible bond origination:
“Zolfaghari started out as a specialist in electronic trading advising the London Stock Exchange and Liffe. He then moved into equity-linked finance at Deutsche Bank and was involved in many of its transactions, including KfW’s exchangeable into Deutsche Telekom. Joined Merrill this year and notched up a series of big deals, including Santander’s €7 billion conditional mandatory offering and Portugal Telecom’s €750 million convertible.” |
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