Amherst expands sellside mortgage-backed securities division

Amherst Securities Group added three mortgage industry veterans to its executive sales team to expand its presence in the mortgage-backed securities space. The decision comes as its sellside business looks to build on the broker/dealer’s recent “momentum” in MBS. “The executives — Peter Davidson, Chris Heaney and Chris O’Neill — will help to expand Amherst’s client base and build on the industry leading services it provides to existing clients,” the firm said in a statement. The specialist broker-dealer named Peter Davidson managing director in the New York office, Chris Heaney managing director in the Westport, Conn., office, and Chris O’Neill senior vice president. Davidson will cover insurance companies, money managers and hedge funds. He previously served as managing director with RBS. Heaney had been managing director at Jefferies, focusing on structured product sales. O’Neill will work in Amherst’s mortgage sales division in New York. He previously was senior vice president in the MBS and structured products sales group at Jefferies. “I am delighted to welcome this group of high-caliber sales leaders to the Amherst team,” said Dan Hoffman, head of sales for the firm. “Their combined industry expertise and valuable client relationships across a wide range of accounts will deepen our MBS presence as we continue to meet the growing needs of our clients.” Amherst has traded MBS for 15 years. Its corporate office is based in Austin, Texas. Write to Jason Philyaw.