Raymond James expands Health Care Investment Banking practice, hires senior biotechnology banker
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. ─ Raymond James continues to expand the capabilities of its Health Care Investment Banking practice with the addition of Bell Zhong as managing director. Based in New York City, Zhong will focus on biotechnology.
“I am pleased to welcome Bell to Raymond James as the newest member to our strong and growing team,” said Andrew Gitkin, co-head of Health Care Investment Banking. “With the rapid change we continue to see in the biotechnology sector, Bell’s experience and extensive knowledge is a powerful addition to the adaptive and result-driven advisory we offer our clients.”
Zhong’s hire complements a growth initiative for the Health Care Investment Banking practice in general, and the biotechnology subsector in particular. He is the most recent in several significant hires and joins managing directors James Kim in Investment Banking and Brian Gleason in Equity Capital Markets, both also focused on biotechnology.
Zhong joins Raymond James from J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC, where he most recently held the title of executive director for health care investment banking covering biopharmaceutical companies. Previously he was an associate with Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. He brings over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry having begun his career at J.P. Morgan in 2005, and has spent more than a decade dedicated to biopharmaceuticals coverage. Zhong holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and accounting with minors in computer science and mathematics from the New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business, where he graduated magna cum laude.
“I am excited to join the well-respected Health Care team at Raymond James,” Zhong said. “Biotechnology’s contribution to socioeconomic development is crucial, especially during this time. Our clients are engaged in innovative research and development that are revolutionizing the field of medicine. I’ve experienced firsthand the impact on patients’ lives that biotechnology has been able to deliver, and promises to deliver in the future.”
About Raymond James Investment Banking
Raymond James Investment Banking offers highly regarded capital formation and financial advisory services. Since 2015, we have participated in raising nearly $280 billion in capital for our corporate clients and completed over 875 advisory assignments, including nearly 750 M&A buy-side or sell-side advisory assignments.
About Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. The company has approximately 8,200 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are $930 billion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at www.raymondjames.com.