Short Takes: NationsBank Creates, Fills Investment Post

NationsBank Corp. has created and filled a chief operating officer post in its private investments area.

The Charlotte, N.C., banking company appointed Robert W. Decker to oversee equity trading, fixed-income research and trading, administration, risk management, and compliance for the investment arm of its private- client group. The group manages more than $70 billion for wealthy individuals in several states.

Mr. Decker reports to Michael E. Kenneally, president of the private investments group, which is based in St. Louis. Mr. Kenneally is responsible for portfolio management and equity research.

Mr. Kenneally's area makes all investments for NationsBank's private- client group, which also offers lending and other banking services.

Mr. Decker said his new boss decided to create the chief operating post after taking on additional responsibilities himself. Mr. Kenneally "came up with this approach that I think will work very well," he said.

Previously, Mr. Decker ran a securities lending group for St. Louis- based Boatmen's Trust Co., which was acquired by NationsBank. He oversaw the transition when all institutional trust work, including securities lending, was sold to Bankers Trust New York Corp. last year.

Before joining Boatmen's, Mr. Decker worked in securities lending at BankAmerica Corp. and U.S. Trust Corp. Early in his career, he worked in trust investment auditing at Chase Manhattan Corp. and J.P. Morgan & Co.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER