Fitch Ratings is looking to hire analysts for its asset-backed securities group. Specifically, it plans to add one or two analysts at the associate director or director level in New York to generate reports on issues affecting the ABS market. Both would be new positions. Kevin Duignan, managing director, says they are being created because investors are increasingly turning to Fitch for research reports on the ABS market, as Wall Street research has lost some credibility in recent years and asset managers tend to run lean shops and rely on outside credit research. The hires would report to Chris Mrazek, managing director and head of ABS credit research.
Separately, Fitch is also looking to hire an analyst at the associate director or director level to cover commercial equipment securitization. The hire would report to John Bella, senior director in Chicago.