The US wealth management house has hired an international advisor with a focus on Brazil, seen as an important growth market.

Merrill Lynch has appointed Juliano de Souza as an international financial advisor serving the Brazil market. He will be based in Miami. 

Previously, de Souza worked at Brazil-headquartered BTG Pactual in New York and Miami for eight years. While at BTG, he was responsible for $200 million in client assets, Merrill Lynch said in a statement today.

De Souza will collaborate with the Miami-based financial advisor team of Andre Mendes and Pedro Paulo Silva, who also serve the Brazil ultra-high net worth client segment.

Originally from Rio de Janeiro, De Souza attended Pontificia Universidade Catolica and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

The Brazil market forms part of the firm’s overall growth plans, Andres de Corral, market executive at Merrill Lynch, said in the statement.

“We are pleased to have Juliano join Merrill Lynch because he represents the right talent and the right fit for our UHNW International strategy,” said Andres de Corral, market executive.‎ “Juliano will be focusing on the Brazil market, which forms part of our overall growth plans.”