Salomon's London Unit Hires HSBC Veteran

Salomon Smith Barney said it appointed former HSBC Securities chief Jim O'Donnell to be managing director and deputy head of equities in Europe, effective July 1.

The appointment marks a return to the securities business for Mr. O'Donnell, 37, who had quit his post as president and chief executive officer at HSBC in New York to study for the Catholic priesthood.

He is to report to London-based Robert DiFazio, co-head of global equities and head of equities in Europe, and will be responsible for selling the company's European equity products to its global client base.

At HSBC Mr. O'Donnell had responsibility for all the equity, debt, futures, and investment banking operations of HSBC Group in the United States. He also has worked for Natwest Securities, Drexel Burnham Lambert, and Merrill Lynch & Co. He holds a bachelor's degree in comparative religion from Princeton University.

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