U.S. securities regulator NASD has hired Nick Bannister as managing director for International Affairs and Services. He will be based in London, England.

Bannister will be responsible for working with international securities markets, regulators and officials to expand the use of NASD’s regulatory expertise and services around the world. Bannister will report to Douglas Shulman, NASD’s president of regulatory services and operations.

“Nick’s vast knowledge and extensive experience with international markets adds an important dimension to our capabilities, and will enable NASD to participate more directly and fully in providing regulatory expertise and services to leading markets around the world,” said Shulman. “With financial markets becoming more interconnected, his appointment will be an important step in reaching our goal of being more engaged in international efforts to create global market integrity.”

“As the world’s leading private sector securities market regulator, NASD plays a vital role in ensuring market integrity,” said Bannister. “My primary objective will be to participate in strengthening securities regulation globally, and to ensure that NASD’s experience and expertise is available to market regulators and participants in key markets around the world.”

Bannister comes to NASD after spending his entire professional life in the securities business, most recently as chairman of the Wholesale Banking division of ABN AMRO in North America. Additionally, he oversaw and managed the integration of ING Barings’ U.S. business, which included Furman Selz. Earlier, Bannister was the Head of Global Sales at UBS Ltd., and held positions at Warburg Securities, Alex Brown & Sons and Lazard Brothers.