First Republic, the San Francisco-headquartered private bank and wealth manager, which is a division of Merrill Lynch, has appointed a new head for its securities business.

Lisa Garey has been hired as managing director of First Republic Securities Company and will work individual investors, families, businesses, foundations and non-profit organizations from its Los Angeles office.

Previously Ms Garey worked as an account vice president for the Private Wealth Management Division of UBS Financial Services. Prior to that, she was a vice president for Bear Stearn’s wealth management group.

"Lisa has been very successful helping individuals, families and businesses manage risk and create strategies to achieve their long-term financial objectives," said Katherine August-deWilde, president and chief operating officer of First Republic Bank.

First Republic Bank is a private bank and wealth management company offering personal banking, business banking, trust, brokerage and wealth management services. It has offices across the US including San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles and New York.