Bladex Hires Merrill’s Vera

Panama-based development bank Bladex asset management unit has hired Tulio Vera, Merrill Lynch’s former head of EM research who left the firm earlier this year, apparently on his own accord. Vera will be chief strategist and head of client relations for the development bank’s asset management business, it said Thursday. The executive will be based in New York and be responsible for identifying investment opportunities and expanding Bladex’s reach to third-party investors. He will report to Manuel Mejia, head of Bladex Asset management. Vera, a native of Chile and a heavyweight in EM research, is heard to have sought new opportunities within Merrill before leaving the firm. His departure coincided with the rise of Felipe Illanes and Pablo Goldberg to new roles within EM research and strategy.