The banker at the heart of JP Morgan’s successful integration of Bear Stearns’ prime brokerage business, which helped transform the Wall Street giant into one of the top banks serving hedge funds, is planning to retire after 20 years with the firm.

Richard Berliand, global head of prime services at JP Morgan, will leave the bank at the end of 2010 to spend more time with his family and pursue personal interests, according to an internal memo from Carlos Hernandez, global head of equities, seen by Financial News.