Citi appoints Kaustubh Kulkarni as co-head of Investment Banking Coverage for Japan, Asia North, Australia, and Asia South. Kulkarni, a banking veteran from JPMorgan, will join in December pending regulatory approvals, based in Singapore. This move is part of Citi’s global hiring spree under global banking head Viswas Raghavan to strengthen dealmaking capabilities.

Kulkarni brings nearly three decades of experience from JPMorgan, where he held various leadership roles in India and Southeast Asia investment banking. His appointment is in line with Citi’s strategy to boost its transaction opportunities by enhancing collaboration across business lines. Raghavan has been recruiting senior executives from competitors like JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Ares Management, and HSBC.

The bank is focusing on expanding its Asia Pacific investment banking team, with plans to increase headcount in Japan by 10% to 15% over the next year. Co-head Jan Metzger revealed intentions to make new hires in Australia, aligning with Citi’s goal of strengthening its dealmaking team and driving more transactions in the region.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Citi names Kaustubh Kulkarni co-head of investment banking for Asia Pacific