Merrll Lynch Global Wealth Management, a unit of Bank of America Corp. (BAC), named Chris Dupuy its new head of global investment solutions.

In an internal memo reviewed by Dow Jones Newswires, Dan Sontag, Merrill's brokerage chief, announced the move, effective immediately.

Dupuy, who reports to Sontag, will be responsible for managing financial products within the wealth management group, including mutual funds, stocks, bonds, new issue, insurance, alternative investments and structured products. In addition, he will oversee manager due dilligence and portfolio construction for the business.

Dupuy replaces Mitch Cox, who recently left Merrill to become head of global investment and product office at Barclays Wealth, a unit of Barclays PLC (BCS).

Recently, Dupuy, a 24-year Merrill veteran, served as head of Americas distribution for global wealth management. Previously, he was chief operating officer of the Americas bank group and a national sales manager.

Several top executives left Merrill following the firm's acquisition by Bank of America earlier this year. Recent departures, who reported to Cox, included Tom Lee, head of product origination; Steven Houston, head of product sales; and Paul Morton, head of stock and bond sales - trading.

However, Merrill has been aggressive in adding financial advisers to the wealth management group over the past few months. The firm also plans to ramp up its adviser training program.

-Brett Philbin, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2173; brett.philbin@dowjones.com