DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
Oppenheimer & Co. named Merrill Lynch & Co. veteran
Brian Belski as its chief investment strategist and a managing
director.
Belski spent the past four years as Merrill's chief U.S. sector
strategist and also was a managing director and fundamental market
strategist for Piper Jaffray Cos. (PJC).
"Brian has significant expertise in creating proprietary
products, conducting strategic research and managing a
comprehensive operation," said Oppenheimer research director John
E. Parks. "His vivid media presence will make him an effective
media spokesperson for market, sector and overall investment
strategy, enhancing Oppenheimer's position as a thought
leader."
A number of high-profile former Merrill Lynch executives and
brokers have left the firm in the wake of its takeover by Bank of
America Corp. (BAC) and the departure of former Merrill Chief
Executive John Thain, who came under fire for the way he handled
unexpectedly big fourth-quarter losses at Merrill and year-end
bonuses.
Oppenheimer, which offers wealth-management,
securities-brokerage and investment-banking services, is a unit of
Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (OPY).
-By Lauren Pollock, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5964;
lauren.pollock@dowjones.com