SSBÆs stronger Asia Pacific equity research team

Salomon Smith Barney has appointed Andrew Lu as director and regional head of semiconductor research, based in Taiwan, to strengthen its equity research team in Taiwan and enhance its technology coverage.

Lu was previously with Credit Suisse First Boston as an electronics/ technology analyst. Otto Wong, head of Asia Pacific Equity Research, said, "Mr Lu is a key hire for SSBÆs Taiwan equity research capacity."

SSB has also named Robert Kong as director of financial institutions research for Singapore and Indonesia, based in Singapore, to strengthen the firmÆs regional and local research capability in this area. Primarily, Kong will be responsible for SingaporeÆs banking sector.

Having been an equity analyst for seven years, Kong was most recently with Merrill Lynch Phatra Securities in Thailand as head of research. "He was a highly ranked analyst for his Indonesian research. His addition will strengthen our research in Southeast Asia," said Raymond Lee, head of Asia Pacific financial institutions for Salomon in Hong Kong.