Financial Guaranty Insurance Company in London has hired one structured finance professional and plans to add another four by year-end, bringing the European team to about 15, according to Rick Watson, managing director and head of structured finance. FGIC officially opened its London office at the end of October as part of its drive to become a leading monoline player in Europe (BW, 6/21).
Vasiliki Koutoupi, senior associate in the credit structuring group at Toronto Dominion in London, recently joined as a v.p. in FGIC's structured finance team and reports to Watson. Watson said Koutoupi is focusing on collateralized debt obligation products, in particular the super senior part of the credit spectrum.
At Toronto Dominion, Koutoupi reported to Michael Chacos, head of European CDO structuring. Chacos declined comment on changes to the team.