Banc of America Securities-Merrill Lynch Research adds two strategists to its Global Commodities Research team. Michael Widmer joins to lead the research coverage effort in metals markets and Tanapoom Damraks joins as a commodities strategist.
Widmer joins from BNP Paribas where he was Senior Metals Strategist. Before BNP, Widmer was head of Metals Research at Lehman Brothers where he had been responsible for building their base and precious metals research franchise in fixed income. He is based in London and will report to Blanch.
Widmer brings to this role in-depth industry expertise and a thorough understanding of client needs having held a variety of senior commodities positions, including head of Metals Research at Calyon Corporate and Investment Bank, and Macquarie Bank, among others. He earned a dual MSc degree in Finance/Economics and International Management from the University of Cologne in Germany.
Damraks will earn a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago in June 2009. He also earned an M.S. in Economics from the University of Chicago, an M.S. in Informatics from the University of Tokyo and a BEng in Electronic Engineering from Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Damraks is based in London and will report to Blanch.
“These strategic hires confirm the commitment of Bank of America Merrill Lynch to the substantial expansion of our global commodities business,” says Francisco Blanch, head of Banc of America Securities-Merrill Lynch Global Commodities Research. “We are expanding our team to provide broader and deeper commodities research for our clients.”
L.D.