National Bank is combining its economics unit with that of its brokerage subsidiary, National Bank Financial.

The bank says that its economists are being grouped together in a single unit to improve the organization of work, produce economies of scale and create greater synergy among the various components of the bank.

“By uniting National Bank Financial’s economists, whose expertise with respect to institutional investors has been recognized on numerous occasions, with the bank’s economists, whose approach is banking oriented, the National Bank will obtain a more global view of the markets on which it operates as a diversified financial group. Moreover, banking services clients and brokerage clients alike will benefit from superior service and broader expertise,” said the bank in a statement.

The new team will be headed by Clement Gignac, portfolio strategist and chief economist at NBF. Gignac, who will also be appointed vice present of the bank, and will act as spokesperson for the entire National Bank financial group for all economic matters.

CIBC made a similar move with its economic units earlier this year.