Countrywide Securities is continuing to effect strategic hires in its MBS sales and trading operations (BW, 4/2), according to Countrywide Capital Markets President Ron Kripalani. Over the past three to four weeks, three staffers have been added to its Los Angeles headquarters: Cliff Corrall joined from J.P. Morgan Chase, James George arrived from Credit Suisse First Boston (where he came over from Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette), and Brian Sager joined from UBS Warburg (prior to that he was at PaineWebber). Kripalani says all three positions are new, but declined comment on the possibility of additional hires in the near term. On a daily basis, all three will report to L.A. sales manager Mac Humphries. A senior official with the firm reasons that additional hires are likely "given the amount talent available because of consolidation on Street [MBS] secondary desks" over the past year, as well as the record refinancing (and thus origination) volumes seen at parent Countrywide Credit Industries.
Countrywide Adds More In MBS