Raiffeisen Bank integrates Romanian investment banking arm

Raiffeisen Bank integrates Romanian investment banking arm on group decision

Newsroom 21/07/2014 | 14:34

Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) has decided to integrate its Romanian investment banking activities, both on the capital market and in the M&A area, into Raiffeisen Bank.

The operations have been grouped under a new directorate within the treasury and capital markets division, led by Vice-president James Stewart. The investment banking arm will be coordinated by Dana Mirela Ionescu, the former general manager of Raiffeisen Capital and Investment.

Ionescu has joined Raiffeisen Group Romania in 2005 as chairman and CEO of Raiffeisen Capital and Investment. She has previously worked for a hedge fund. Ionescu is a member of the board of directors of the Central Securities Depositary and a former member of the board of directors of the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB).

“We are talking about a strategic decision at a regional level taken by RBI which aims to streamline its activities and resources in order to provide our clients with complete financial solutions. This move allows us to focus on our expertise and advisory role while all the support areas within the bank service all the group’s divisions and activities in Romania in a timely and efficient manner,” said Stewart.

Ionescu said the investment arm has been involved in the biggest and most complex public offerings and listings that have been carried out on the BVB. She added that the company is one of the biggest advisors on the local M&A market.