Fox-Pitt, Kelton, an investment bank and research company based in Britain, has set up a regional office in Hong Kong as it takes its first steps into Asia.
Chairman Anthony Hamilton said the group decided to move into Asia due to the region's positive economic prospects.
'We believe that the economic crisis and structural changes in Asian financial services offer tremendous opportunities for Fox-Pitt, Kelton,' Mr Hamilton said.
He said before the Asian crisis, the demand for research in Asian companies was not great because the region's strong growth made it easy for Asian companies to receive foreign capital injections.
However, since the crisis, investors had taken a more cautious approach to Asian companies, while the hardest-hit firms needed to find buyers or investors willing to supply a lifeline.
Mr Hamilton said that in such situations, many potential buyers would need in-depth research to enable them to make the right decision about future acquisitions.
'Our office in Hong Kong will allow us a freer hand in conducting research on Asian banks and insurance companies, and meet the increasing demand from international corporations seeking to make acquisitions in the region,' he said.