Bank of America Merrill Lynch is redoubling efforts to grow its European leveraged finance business with the aim of becoming a top-five player, the bank’s head of corporate and investment banking for Europe, the Middle East and Africa has told Financial News.

Bob Elfring, Emea CIB head, said the push - including new hires and a focus on select key clients - is an attempt to bring the European operation in line with the performance of its US counterpart in a busy market.