Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is starting an aviation finance business in the Americas. Olivier Trauchessec has been hired as a managing director to lead the effort.

Trauchessec, who joins MUFG after a long career at BNP Paribas, will report to Lance Markowitz, group head of leasing and asset finance in the Americas, a unit of MUFG’s Investment Banking & Markets group (IB&M).

MUFG’s global Aviation Finance Group will provide solutions for clients interested in aircraft acquisition and its relevant financing needs. The addition of a New York-based business – responsible for activities across North America and South America – complements MUFG’s existing aviation finance hubs in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore and London.

“With the launch of this group to cover the Americas, MUFG now has a truly global aviation team, capable of seamlessly delivering financial solutions for clients in any corner of the world,” said Johannes Worsoe, head of IB&M for the Americas.

Markowitz added: “MUFG’s clients will also benefit from our hiring of Olivier Trauchessec, one of the industry’s most accomplished aviation finance bankers. Olivier’s knowledge and experience in this asset class is unique, and I am confident he will yield immediate value for our clients.”

Most recently, Trauchessec was a managing director in charge of global origination and structuring for aircraft finance transactions at BNP Paribas, where he began his career in 1994. As head of the bank’s New York-based aviation desk for the Americas, which he created in 2000, Trauchessec was responsible for the product coverage of airlines and aircraft leasing companies, in addition to all aviation finance activities.