Matthew Koder, the former head of Asia-Pacific corporate and investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, has been named president of the region, said an internal memo.

Matthew Koder, the former head of Asia-Pacific corporate and investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, has been named president of the region.

According to an internal memo seen by WealthBriefingAsia this morning, Matthew Koder starts with immediate effect as president,Bank of America Merrill Lynch Asia-Pacific.

The memo, signed by Thomas Montag, president of global banking and markets, said Koder “has had a tremendous impact on our business, working...to re-shape and re-focus our platform in the region. He will play a critical role in the advancement of our local goals and strategy.”

Koder will report to Montag in the new role and continue to be based from the firm’s Hong Kong office. Koder joined the firm in June 2011 from UBS.

Meanwhile current presidentBrian Brille will assume the new position of chairman, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Asia-Pacific. Brille will focus on relationships with the firm’s most senior local and multinational clients in the region, said the memo.