Harley Bassman, managing director on Merrill Lynch's over-the-counter debt options desk in New York and a 16-year veteran of the firm's fixed-income options trading area, has been named head of the real estate structured finance department. Bassman said he takes responsibility for North American CMBS, MBS and ABS trading and sales efforts and has replaced Greg Odland, whose new brief has yet to be determined. Both Odland and Bassman declined comment on the reason for the reshuffle. Bassman reports to Tom Likovich, head of debt markets trading and sales for North America.
Rather than hire a replacement Taso Katopodis, a director on Merrill's OTC options desk, will now have more responsibility and a more senior position, Bassman explained.
