ABN AMRO has hired Brad Dansker, the top auto originator in the asset-backed group at J.P. Morgan Securities, as a managing director in New York. Dansker started at ABN this week and is in charge of originating auto-and equipment-backed deals, according to Bill Haley, managing director and head of North American term securitization. "This Dansker hire is a dream come true for me; he is so well-regarded in autos and equipment," says Haley. He adds the hire is a continuation of ABN's plans to build out a strong term securitization business that can leverage its activities on the conduit side. "We have a strong relationship with institutions already because of the conduit business and it makes sense to have a high-quality term product." He notes Dansker will help the firm win underwriting mandates because he was in charge of the auto business at J.P. Morgan, which leads the league tables in the sector.
Haley says Dankser is the fourth major hire in recent months, after those of Caroline Morrill, managing director and head of the ABS syndicate; Jim Regan, managing director and head of secondary trading; and Cyrus Mohebbi, managing director in charge of structuring and analytics. They all report to Haley, who joined from J.P. Morgan last summer.
Michael Dorfsman, spokesman for J.P. Morgan, says the firm is looking to fill Dansker's position. He notes that Andy Dym, co-head of the North American securitization business, has a background on the auto side, which should facilitate the firm's ability to transfer coverage of auto issuers.
