LONDON (Reuters) - Chris Jolly, one of Britain's highest-profile real estate investment bankers, is to leave Merrill Lynch following its takeover by Bank of America (BAC.N: Quote, Profile, Research), a source close to the matter told Reuters on Monday.

Jolly, a managing director specialising in UK real estate, has left his post following a restructuring of the property division at the newly-merged bank, the source said.

Jolly joined Merrill Lynch from the London-based corporate finance unit of real estate consultant Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) just over a year ago. His Merrill Lynch appointment preceded managerial stints at Warburg, Societe Generale and specialist real estate lender Commerzbank.

The EMEA real estate, gaming and lodging investment banking team at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch will now be led by David Church, the source said.

Bank of America/Merrill Lynch declined to comment.

(Reporting by Sinead Cruise; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

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