Major investment banks are reworking their reporting lines and re-allocating staff as they bend to the most promising development in an otherwise lacklustre market for big deals – the rise of private capital.

The decision to shift resources across the sector, from Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs to smaller upstart Jarden, comes at a time when mergers and acquisition and equity capital market activity hasn’t rebounded as quickly as expected. It suggests firms are hopeful more fees can be generated from the rapidly growing private capital sector, which includes the industry superannuation giants overseeing $1.5 trillion in savings.