Merrill Lynch Bank (Suisse) said it has appointed a new head for its wealth management operations in Zurich to boost its presence in the country's financial capital.

Mark Kahnau will be the new office manager of its Global Wealth Management Zurich branch, Merrill Lynch, which has been taken over by US-listed Bank of America, said in a statement.

Mr Kahnau joined Merrill Lynch in 1994 as a financial advisor. In his new role as office manager, he will lead a team of advisors covering the Swiss German market.

Merrill Lynch, one of the world's largest wealth managers, holds total client assets of approximately $1.6 trillion. Bank of America in September bought the veteran investment house for $50 billion in an all-stock transaction.