Laurentian Bank Securities (LBS) announced today that Simon Lussier is joining the firm as senior vp, institutional equity.

Lussier will head the new business unit launched by LBS, specializing in institutional brokerage services in equity markets.

The new business unit will offer a complete range of services, such as research, sales, trading and investment banking, with a particular focus on the market of small and medium-sized businesses.

“Under the leadership of Mr. Lussier, with his impressive experience and enviable reputation in the market, the new line of business will build on solid foundations. Thanks to the growth potential of this segment, we will diversify our revenue, while enhancing our offer of products and services,” said Michel Trudeau, president and CEO of LBS. Based in Montreal, Lussier will also be supported by a team at the Laurentian Bank Securities’ office in Toronto.

This new phase in the development of LBS marks a strategic milestone. In the last two years, the firm has allocated significant resources to expand its network of points of service and to improve its offer of products, including such initiatives as opening three new office locations in the last six months and recruiting numerous investment advisors.

Founded in 1991, LBS has close to $2 billion in assets under management.