The Zurich-based bank named Satoko Honda and Tatsuya Watanabe co-heads of equity capital markets at its investment banking and capital markets, or IBCM, unit in Japan, according to a memo seen by finews.com. The team focuses on equities underwriting and market placements. 

Watanabe was most recently with UBS in financial sponsor-led IPOs. Honda, whose background is equity-linked products for corporate and private equity clients in Japan, joined Credit Suisse in 2017. A spokesperson for the bank confirmed the appointments.

Retail and Consumer

Japan has been an increasingly important market for Credit Suisse with notable investment banking transactions last year such as Seven & i Holdings’ $21 billion acquisition of convenience store Speedway or Meiji Holdings’ $254.4 million purchase of a 25 percent stake in AustAsia Investment Holdings.

Credit Suisse is also hiring Yasuhiro Kuroki as head of retail, consumer products and services coverage in the unit, a key focus area of the bank globally. Kuroki will continue reporting to Ryuya Hishinuma, Credit Suisse’s head of IBCM for Japan.

Third-Largest Economy

«We are focused on further strengthening our [IBCM] business in Japan by selectively investing in senior talent to enhance the service we deliver to clients,» Hishinuma said in the memo. «Our deep bench of talent has contributed to the strong momentum of our business.»

The bank’s focus in the world’s third-largest economy has not been limited to just investment banking activities. It hired ex-UBS banker Sean Byrne in July last year to join its private wealth unit as a market leader and head of Japan international, as finews.asia reported.