SECURITIES

Salomon Bros. Banking Chief Quits: Richard J. Barrett, head of global investment banking for the New York-based company and a member of its executive committee, has resigned, managing directors at the firm said. Eduardo Mestre, currently a managing director at Salomon Bros. Inc., is expected to be appointed as the new head of investment banking when Barrett’s resignation is announced today. The exit of Barrett, 46, marks the highest-ranking departure from the nation’s second-largest investment bank since 1993, when the firm’s top traders left to set up their own trading firm. Barrett did not return calls and a Salomon spokesman declined to comment.