HSBC's head of APAC block trading left, possibly for Barclays
Where is Joseph Lee, the head of block trading for HSBC Asia? Not, it seems, at HSBC.
HSBC isn't commenting, but HSBC's Securities and Futures Commission directory indicates that Lee left the bank in early April. He's yet to turn up elsewhere, but when he does, it's thought that he might resurface at Barclays. Barclays didn't respond to a request to comment on this possibility.
Lee's disappearance comes as HSBC is shaking things up. It's pulling back from M&A and ECM outside of Asia and the Middle East and has been cutting equity research staff. Despite being based in Asia, Lee seemingly wanted a change of scene.
Lee joined HSBC from Credit Suisse circa 2023 and previously worked for Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers in Hong Kong. He may be missed.
Lee isn't the only senior equities professional to disappear from HSBC's Hong Kong operation. Russell Jacobson, head of China access and strategic development for the equities product and a former head of equities sales trading, also left in May. Jacobson now describes himself as a former banker and certified Bitcoin professional.
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