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Veteran mortgage-backed securities researcher Dale Westhoff, well known in the industry for his short-term prepayment forecasts, has joined Credit Suisse as global head of structured products research.

Now that the President's first pick to be the new GSE regulator has bowed out due to Republican opposition, the White House will likely appoint an administration official who has already been confirmed by the Senate to run the agency.

Harris Financial has hired Kevin Christopher to be director of mortgage sales. He will be responsible for leading the Harris mortgage team in its internal collaboration, service and sales capabilities to contribute to the bank's overall strategy.

SettlementOne, San Diego, a holding company with interests in credit data and appraisal management, recently named Joe Bryant national sales manager.

Total Mortgage Services, LLC, a fast growing nonbank based in Connecticut, on Tuesday announced that it has hired former Bank of America vice president Lisa Schreiber to head its wholesale division.

MetLife Bank has hired former Bear Stearns and Ohio Savings executive Jess Lederman as a top executive in its residential correspondent lending division, according to mortgage officials who received a notification from the industry veteran.

Treliant Risk Advisors, Washington, said it has hired former Deputy Comptroller of the Currency Jo Ann Barefoot as vice chairman of the firm.

Morgan Stanley & Co. late Thursday named Ken deRegt head of fixed income sales and trading, replacing Jack DiMaio, who is leaving the firm.

Rick Beckwitt has been promoted to president of Lennar Corp., replacing Stuart Miller, who retains the chief executive title. He had been the executive vice president.

Fortress Investment Group LLC named managing director and securitized portfolio products manager Greg Finck to head a newly created mortgage and ABS portfolio strategies team within the firm's asset management unit