Oct. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Credit Suisse AG, Switzerland’s biggest bank by market value, said Marc Granetz, co-head of the global investment banking department for five years, will become the unit’s chairman at the end of the year.

Luigi de Vecchi, chief executive officer of the bank’s business in Italy, will move to London and become co-head of investment banking with James Amine, who will move to New York, according to a memo sent to employees today. The contents of the memo were confirmed by Duncan King, a spokesman in New York.

In his newly created role, Granetz, 53, will focus on developing relationships with important clients, advising them on complex mergers and acquisitions and helping with the firm’s strategy. Amine, 50, and de Vecchi, 44, will manage day-to-day operations of the investment-banking unit, which provides clients with takeover advice and assistance in debt and equity capital-raising.

All three executives report to Paul Calello and Eric Varvel, who run Credit Suisse’s investment bank. The investment bank includes the firm’s sales and trading divisions in addition to the investment-banking department.

Credit Suisse rose to sixth among advisers this year on takeovers worldwide from eighth in 2008, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. In equity and equity-linked underwriting, Credit Suisse is also sixth, compared with eighth last year, while the firm is ninth in U.S. bond underwriting, up from 10th in 2008, the data show.

Granetz, who has worked at Credit Suisse for 24 years, will continue to serve as a member of the investment bank management committee and the Americas CEO management committee, the memo said.

London, New York

Amine, based in London for 10 years, has been co-head of the global investment-banking department with Granetz since February 2008. Upon moving to New York, Amine will focus on running the business in the Americas and the Asia-Pacific regions, while de Vecchi will manage the Europe, Middle East and Africa area, the memo said.

De Vecchi was a managing director at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. for six years before joining Credit Suisse in 2004. He will continue to be CEO of the business in Italy and will remain a member of the Europe, Middle East and Africa operating committee, the memo said. Both de Vecchi and Amine will continue to serve as members of the investment bank management committee.

To contact the reporter on this story: Christine Harper in New York at charper@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: October 9, 2009 08:23 EDT