Société Générale Cross Asset Research, the research arm of French banking giant Société Générale, has appointed a new chief economist for its Asia-Pacific office.

Klaus Baader takes the lead role, covering economics and policy in Asia-Pacific. With over 20 years of European economic analysis experience behind him, he guides a team of economists to produce thematic and regional research reports.

Baader joined Société Générale in 2009 and served as chief Euro area economist in London before moving to Hong Kong in 2012. Prior to that, he worked as chief Europe economist at Merrill Lynch after assuming various roles at UBS, Lehman Brothers and Deutsche Bank.

He reports to both Michala Marcussen, the global head of economics, and Guy Stear, head of research for Asia-Pacific.

His appointment comes on the heels of the departure of Janice Yu, who headed cross-asset private banking sales for Asia at Société Générale. She left the bank earlier this month, according to reports.

Yu was hired in 2009, in a newly-created role as part of SocGen's strategic decision to build up in sales of structured products to institutions. She was hired from Citi, where she led sales of structured products to Hong Kong and Singapore-based private banks.

Societe Generale Cross Asset Research serves Asia out of its Hong Kong headquarters.