Jefferies Hires Citi’s Biller in Asia Expansion Blitz

According to sources familiar with the situation, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. has hired David Biller from Citigroup Inc., bringing the seasoned banker back to Asia from Europe to help grow its practice in the area.

The sources, who declined to be named since the subject is private, said Biller will be joining Jefferies as head of Southeast Asia and head of Asia industrials investment banking. He intends to begin in his new position later this year and will be stationed in Singapore, according to the people.

According to his LinkedIn page, he has worked with Citi for more than 18 years and most recently served as the co-head of industrial banking for EMEA, Asia, and Japan. Last year, he moved from Singapore to London.

Biller’s representatives were unable to be reached for comment, while those at Citi and Jefferies declined.

In recent months, Jefferies has employed roughly six managing directors in Asia as part of its regional expansion. Among them are Philip Li, a director, Christopher Laskowski, a former Citigroup veteran who is now Citi’s head of investment banking for Asia, and Aaron Chandrasakaran, Citi’s head of investment banking for Hong Kong.

Additionally, it hired Ellis Chu, head of mergers and acquisitions in Asia, and former Credit Suisse Group AG banker Michael Tan to lead the financial institutions group.