Finance. (Newsmakers).

Jeffrey Ball has joined Far East National Bank in Los Angeles as executive vice president in charge of corporate banking. He will be responsible for the development and management of corporate relationships and will serve on the board of Far East Capital Corporation and Far East Realty Services. Ball previously worked with Banc of America Securities in corporate finance and business development.

Edward Gil has joined Buxbaum Group, a financial consulting company, as director of marketing. He will handle all marketing activities for Buxbaum Group and its affiliate companies. Gil previously was chief operating officer of SageMetrics Corp., which he cofounded.

Pasadena-based First Quadrant, an investment management firm, has named Max Darnell chief investment officer. Darnell, a partner who has been serving as the company's director of research, will continue to focus First Quadrant's efforts on running equity, asset allocation, and absolute returns strategies. He joined the firm in 1991.

Bank of America Private Bank announced that Michael T. Huntsman and Thomas W. Hulick have joined as senior vice presidents and senior relationship managers in its Century City office. They will be responsible for providing comprehensive wealth management solutions for high-net-worth clients. Huntsman and Hulick previously worked for Morgan Stanley's individual investor group as client managers.