Based in New York, Mr Leasure will lead a team of investment bankers based in New York and Chicago who specialize in helping US private equity firms.

Prior to joining BMO Capital Markets in 2002, he spent eight years with Goldman Sachs Group working with financial sponsors in its leveraged finance group, including two years leading that group's efforts with financial sponsors in London.

David Casper, co-head of investment and corporate banking at BMO Capital Markets for the US, said: "Serving the needs of financial sponsor clients will help BMO Capital Markets accelerate and strengthen our growth across the full range of industry sectors and product groups. Dirk has significant experience working with financial sponsors and we look forward to his leadership and direction to capitalize on the opportunities before us."

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