DrKW combines derivatives trading and structuring teams

Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein (DrKW) has opted to combine its derivatives trading and structuring capabilities across multiple asset classes, creating a single global derivatives group within its capital markets business.

The new group will span interest rate, foreign exchange, credit and equity, and will be headed by the bank’s head of credit derivatives Matteo Mazzocchi, who now becomes head of global derivatives.

“The aim of our new group is not only to realise efficiencies but also the other benefits that will arise from shared resources, models, product development, technology and risk management across all derivatives classes,” said Mazzocchi. “It will bring a more consistent approach to our existing derivatives product suite and delivery, and allows us to develop new ideas such as hybrid products for clients.”

DrKW joins a small group of banks that have made a similar jump. JP Morgan last year merged its equity derivatives and credit and rates structuring teams in Asia, and established a third-party group to structure, market and distribute cross-asset investment products to private banking and retail investors. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank announced at the end of last year that it will merge its global equity derivatives, fixed income and credit units under a single global markets group.

Other banks are also thought to be weighing up the benefits of adopting a cross-asset structure, amid increasing demand from certain clients – and particularly hedge funds – for a single, one-stop shop for derivatives and investment products.