royal bank of canada

Three important appointments by RBC Capital Markets emphasise Hong Kong's pivotal position as Asia's financial hub.

PetroChina becomes the latest Asian company to invest in oil sands, shelling out $5.4 billion in a joint venture with Canada's Encana.

The bank lists snatching market share and building corporate relationships in Asia as priorities for 2011. Meanwhile, RBS Coutts names a new head of NRI and South Asia business based in Dubai.

iGate tables a winning $1.22 billion bid for Patni Computer Systems with the backing of private equity firm Apax Partners and debt commitments from Jefferies and RBC.

Raymond Schumertl, who was formerly with Morgan Stanley, joins the Canadian investment bank in Hong Kong.

The investment banking arm of Royal Bank of Canada hires Mike Bass as Asia head of fixed income and currencies, while Mark Otis Zownir joins as head of US dollar rates trading.

RBC Wealth Management, the private banking arm of Canada's largest bank, has appointed Matthew Yong president and Frank Mu chief executive officer of its Asian operations.

The London-listed group hires a team from Rothschild to advise vendors on infrastructure deals and arrange project finance.