In response to increasing international investor involvement in the European syndicated loan market, ABN Amro has announced an integration of its global syndicated loan distribution platform.

Recent European leveraged buy-out deals including Brenntag and Buhrmann, demonstrate increasing support from US non-bank investors. Price erosion in the Asian market, is also leading regional banks to consider increased participation in the European market.

Adding to his existing responsibilities for Europe and Asia, Edward Brown is appointed to a new expanded role global head of loan markets distribution. Brown joined ABN last year from KBC Bank in London and has over 10 years experience in the syndicated loan market.

Providing regional focus, ABN Amro has also announced that Kevin Tham is promoted to a new role head of loan distribution and syndicate for Asia. Tham has been with ABN since 1998, working in a variety of debt capital markets roles. He is ABN Amro’s representative on the board of directors of the Asia Pacific Loan Market Association.

Susan Greenwood will continue to head up the US loan markets distribution desk. In addition to their regional product reporting lines, Tham and Greenwood will report to Brown. Brown continues to report jointly to Martyn Powell, global head of loan markets and Chris Lillingston-Price, global head of credit markets distribution.

Powell comments: “This new structure will enable us to capitalise on the quickening pace of market convergence, as international institutional investors seek to play a more significant role in the European syndicated loan market.”

Part of ABN Amro’s wholesale clients corporate and investment banking unit, Financial Markets, provides clients with a single, integrated platform for debt capital markets, structured lending and risk management, employing over 3,000 specialist staff in more than 40 countries. It has leading positions in asset securitisation, sovereign, agency and high-grade international bond and bank capital issues, project finance, loan syndications, FX and derivative products.