Deutsche close to hiring former UBS Asia banker-WSJ

CHICAGO, April 4 (Reuters) - Deutsche Bank AG (DBKGn.DE) is in advanced talks to hire Robert Rankin, a former senior UBS AG (UBSN.VX) banker in Asia, to run its operations there, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

Citing "people familiar with the situation," the paper said Rankin would succeed Colin Grassie, who plans to return to Europe in a senior role.

The Journal said the discussions with Rankin signaled the German bank's aggressive expansion plan for Asia.

(Reporting by James Kelleher)