NATION

Michael Hernandez, managing director and head of First Boston Inc.’s public finance department, has left the firm, the second top defection from the investment banker in as many weeks. “He has left to pursue other interests,” a spokeswoman said.

Hernandez was not immediately available for comment.

Hernandez’s departure follows last week’s departure of Laurence D. Fink, head of the firm’s mortgage finance department, who joined Blackstone Group, an investment banking firm headed by former Commerce Secretary Peter G. Peterson.

Hernandez’s departure also comes after the resignations of First Boston’s investment banking co-heads Bruce Wasserstein and Joseph Perella last month. They left to form their own investment banking firm.