Royal Bank of Scotland is sending one of its most senior London-based executives to Hong Kong to run its Asian investment banking business as investment banks compete for a burgeoning fee pool in the region's equity markets.

Matthew Kirkby, global head of corporate finance at RBS, has been named head of global banking for Asia Pacific, according to a statement. Kirkby, an equities banker by background, will continue in his role as head of corporate finance, which incorporates the mergers and acquisitions and equity capital markets businesses.