Career moves

Standard & Poor's has appointed Michelle Weston as regional practice leader for structured finance ratings in EMEA.

Kleinberg, Kaplan, Wolff & Cohen, P.C. has hired Howard Mulligan as of counsel in the corporate department.

SNR Denton boosted its financial institutions regulatory practice by hiring Lisa Ledbetter, former vice president and deputy general counsel for Freddie Mac, as a partner in its Washington DC office.

Dynex Capital announced today that Byron Boston took over as president of the board of directors.

Henderson Global Investors has hired John Feeney as head of real estate debt in its secured credit team.

KGS-Alpha Capital Markets added an investment grade corporate bond sales and trading team to its fixed income platform.

JGWPT Holdings named Lior Yahalomi its new chief financial officer and executive vice president.

The Obama administration's plan to refinance underwater borrowers with private-label mortgages was supposed to be dead on arrival – but it appears Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, the ranking Republican on the Banking Committee, wants to hear more.

During a pair of appearances Tuesday on Capitol Hill, top housing officials from the Obama administration sought to reassure members of Congress about the financial condition of the Federal Housing Administration.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has recommended disciplinary action be taken against two CLO professionals affiliated with Guggenheim Capital Markets.

David Nelms may never escape his underdog status. But he's gotten adept at using it to his advantage.

UGL Services has launched a new group to provide financial analytics support and advisory services for commercial real estate distressed assets, leasing deals and capital markets-related transactions.

Knight Capital hired several former MF Global mortgage credit sales and trading experts including Michael Corsi as managing director in mortgage sales and Rus Margolin as managing director in non-agency trading.

The PrinceRidge Group has made two hires within the firm's expanding MBS division.

Christopher Horn has joined Baker & McKenzie as a partner in New York, enhancing the firm's securitization and structured finance practice.

Fannie Mae is considering the head of a banking industry trade group and its own general counsel as possible replacements for departing CEO Michael Williams, according to published reports.

Liz Frederick has been named the new managing director of Kane USA, a global provider of specialist insurance management services.

Litigation consulting firm Analysis Group has hired four new affiliates to the firm, including fixed-income expert John Richard.

Southwest Securities has hired two experienced traders to the firm's taxable fixed income division.