NEW YORK, Aug 21 (Reuters) - JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ) has

hired two bankers to boost its investment banking capabilities

for energy companies, including one which will help the bank

focus on coverage of middle-market clients in the sector, per a

memo seen by Reuters.

The bank is creating a new vertical within its mid-cap

investment banking unit to cover natural resources, with Matt

Barrett joining to support and build relationships with

companies providing services and equipment in the energy space,

the memo said.

Brad Epstein is being hired within JPMorgan's ( JPM ) natural

resources investment banking coverage team, with a focus on

serving companies in the midstream and downstream sectors.

A spokesperson for JPMorgan ( JPM ) confirmed the contents of the

memo, which was sent out by Global Co-Heads of Natural Resources

Group Investment Banking Jonathan Cox, Jen Dooly and James

Janoskey, and John Richert, the head of mid-cap investment

banking at the bank.

Both Barrett and Epstein will be based in Houston, and are

joining the bank as managing directors.

Barrett previously worked at TPH, the energy-focused

investment banking arm of boutique adviser Perella Weinberg

Partners ( PWP ), and also spent part of his career at private

equity firm White Deer Energy.

Prior to joining JPMorgan ( JPM ), Epstein spent 13 years within

Citigroup's ( C/PN ) energy investment bank, working with companies

in midstream, downstream and refining, and renewable fuels. He

has also worked at UBS and Citadel, the memo added.