Meanwhile, Jyoti Jaipuria continues in his role as head of India equity research and as India equity strategist. He reports to Vikram and remains located in Mumbai. Prior to joining the company in 1994, he worked with ICICI for seven years in the company's investment division.

Chin Seng Tay has also been named deputy head of ASEAN requity research, reporting to Vikram. He remains based in Singapore covering ASEAN financials and will also support the equity strategy unit. Tay joined BoA Merrill in 2010 from Macquarie Securities. Before that, he worked for the Monetary Authority of Singapore. 

The hire comes just days after the appointment of veteran banker Timothy Latimore as representative director, president and country executive for Japan.