Macquarie Bank has transferred Matthew Long, head of equity derivative sales, from Singapore to Hong Kong, to assume a more regional remit and expand its presence. Long built up an equity derivatives desk in the Lion City to tap the emerging warrant market and private banking business (DW, 12/3). He said the desk is now up to eight staff and will grow by 50% this year. "Singapore has become a very important market for us," he said. In addition to Singapore and the firm's equity hub in Hong Kong, Long said in this new role he will be looking at growing the business in other markets in the region, declining to elaborate. The Aussie house will be looking to build on its cash equity platform in Asia that it acquired from ING Barings (DW, 2/8/04), he added.