Bank of America Merrill Lynch, hit by a spate of departures since its merger, has hired a partner from Goldman Sachs for a top European investment banking role that signals its intention to rebuild the ranks. The position makes her one of the most senior female investment bankers in Europe.

Sources familiar with the situation told Financial News Sanaz Zaimi, who was made a partner managing director by Goldman Sachs in October 2006, today agreed to join Bank of America Merrill Lynch. She will be head of fixed income currencies and commodities sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa as well as head of debt and equity structured products sales for EMEA.