Citigroup has hired Bernal Vargas from JPMorgan Chase to lead its equity capital markets division in North America. Vargas, previously head of Americas cash equity sales at JPMorgan, will be based in New York. He will join later this year, with no specific date mentioned.

Ed Sankey, head of equity capital markets for Europe, the UK, Middle East and Africa, will now also cover Japan, North Asia, Australia, and Asia South. James Manson-Bahr will head ECM for Europe, the UK, Middle East and Africa.

Citigroup’s head of banking, Viswas Raghavan, has been making high-profile hires as the bank expands its investment banking business and revenue. The bank has also hired David Friedland from Goldman Sachs as co-head of North America investment banking coverage and recruited two executives from JPMorgan for its financing business.

Citigroup plans to increase its investment banking headcount in Japan by 10% to 15% over the next year and make new hires in Australia.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Citi hires Vargas from JPMorgan to lead equity capital markets in North America