- JPMorgan Chase has hired 25-year Bank of America veteran Kevin Brunner as Global Chair of Investment Banking & M&A, reporting to Filippo Gori and John Simmons and starting in 2026.
- Brunner, who will split time between New York and San Francisco, brings deep tech and TMT deal experience, including mega-transactions like Google–Wiz, Broadcom–VMware and Analog Devices–Maxim.
- The move is part of JPMorgan’s broader push to deepen sector coverage and advisory strength as M&A and IPO activity rebounds, following other senior hires from Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs.
- Brunner’s appointment bolsters JPMorgan’s tech-focused M&A franchise but raises execution questions for both banks around leadership realignment, role clarity and navigating volatile deal markets.
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The recent hire of Kevin Brunner signals JPMorgan Chase’s push to assert dominance in investment banking and capital markets advisory as deal activity picks up. With rising macro-tailwinds—easing rates, strong equity markets, and renewed IPO and deal pipelines—investment banks are jockeying for leadership. JPMorgan’s promotion of Brunner, a veteran in tech and major M&A, is a clear move to reinforce its capabilities in high-growth sectors. [1][2]
Strategically, Brunner’s dual-location base (New York and San Francisco) suggests a focus on maintaining—and expanding on—the bank’s presence in Silicon Valley-adjacent tech transactions, reflecting the premium on techM&A expertise. His mega deal background lends instant credibility for clients seeking advisory in big, complex cross-industry deals. [2]
This move also underscores JPMorgan’s PDCA (plan-do-check-act) approach to leadership amid competitive pressure: just weeks prior, the bank had hired multiple senior bankers from Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs to enhance coverage in business services. [1] Bringing in Brunner helps Treasury and Securities leadership close gaps in technology, media & telecom (TMT) deal flow and counters rivals encroaching in those sectors. [1][2]
However, execution risks are nontrivial. Bank of America will need to reshuffle to cover the void in TMT and M&A leadership left by Brunner’s departure. Internally, Brunner’s relationships and mandate might overlap or rub with existing chairs and co-heads under Gori and Simmons, necessitating clear role delineation. Externally, while demand is strong, interest rate volatility and regulatory scrutiny—especially for cross-border deals—may dampen deal values or slow momentum. Whether JPMorgan maintains fee margins under increased cost of talent and infrastructure is also uncertain.
In summary, Brunner’s appointment strengthens JPMorgan’s global advisory muscle, particularly in tech and large M&A; validates its ongoing recruitment and leadership refinement; but success will depend on how well JPMorgan weaves his role into its existing structure and executes amid shifting market conditions.
Supporting Notes
- Kevin Brunner will become JPMorgan’s Global Chair of Investment Banking & M&A, joining from Bank of America, with 25 years’ tenure there. [2][1]
- He’ll split time between New York and San Francisco and reports to Filippo Gori and John Simmons. [2]
- Previously at BofA he served as Chairman of Global M&A and Global Head of Technology, Media & Telecom IB. [1]
- Key deals he advised include Google’s $32B acquisition of Wiz; Broadcom’s $69B purchase of VMware; and Analog Devices’ $68B combination with Maxim. [2][1]
- JPMorgan has recently poached senior bankers from Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs to expand its M&A team, particularly in business services sector. [1]
- The hire comes amid a resurgence in dealmaking and IPOs, fueled by strong markets and lower interest rates. [1][2]
- Other internal leaders in JPMorgan’s IB franchise include newly named global chairs and co-heads, emphasizing a broad leadership restructuring. [1]
Sources
- [1] www.bankingdive.com (Banking Dive) — October 24, 2025
- [2] www.reuters.com (Reuters) — October 24, 2025