MountainView Acquires Clayton's Fixed Income Asset Valuation Unit, Appoints Andrew Platt to Executive Team

DENVER, Aug. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fixed income capital markets firm MountainView Capital Holdings today announces its acquisition of Clayton IPS, the independent pricing service of Clayton Holdings. The transaction combines the market-leading mortgage and fixed income analytics and pricing expertise of Clayton IPS and MountainView, giving clients of both Clayton IPS and MountainView access to expanded capabilities.

The IPS unit provides fixed income managers and investors with third-party, fair market pricing for hard-to-value securities, including RMBS, CMBS and ABS. The team also values residential whole loans, credit default swaps, secured corporate debt, and structured debt transactions.

As a result of the acquisition, the employees and proprietary tools of Clayton IPS became part of the MountainView Analytics division in Denver when the deal closed on August 15. Clayton IPS is now operating under the name of MountainView IPS.

Within MountainView Analytics, MountainView IPS complements the services of MountainView Servicing Group, the #1 provider of valuations for residential mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), and MountainView Risk Advisors, which provides risk management analytics for residential MSRs. Combining the IPS team's strength and depth in modeling with the trade color of MountainView's sales and trading and asset management divisions will also enhance the level of service and market insight available to the IPS team's existing clients.

"The planning of this transaction produced a seamless transition for IPS clients and employees, and the new opportunities for them are tremendous," said MountainView IPS senior vice president Scott Gibson, who led the IPS team at Clayton. "My staff is excited about the opportunity to access the market insights of MountainView's analytics, sales and trading, and asset management divisions, and we look forward to bringing this additional expertise to our clients."

"Synergy and success are what MountainView seeks in acquisitions," added Mark Garland, president of MountainView Analytics. "MountainView is a leader in analytics on the residential MSR asset, and as we looked to expand our third-party valuation services across related asset types, the IPS team was the obvious choice, with eight years of history and more than 60 clients."

MountainView Capital Holdings and Clayton Holdings also formed a strategic alliance whereby each firm can offer their respective clients integrated access to the broad range of services provided by both firms. The firms believe the alliance will give their clients a menu of services and credentials that is not otherwise available in the market today. Clayton's industry-leading surveillance business will continue to be based and operate out of their Denver location.

MountainView Capital Holdings is also pleased to announce that industry veteran Andrew Platt has joined the executive team as head of business development. In this newly created position, Mr. Platt will grow MountainView's profile in the fixed income capital markets by emphasizing deep relationships in which clients use the firm for multiple service offerings and help the firm identify new service offerings.

"Since our founding, MountainView has grown by strategically building and acquiring complementary and successful business lines that operate individually," said Michael Morgan, CEO of MountainView Capital Holdings. "Andrew possesses leadership and relationship skills that will integrate our capabilities internally, enhance our marketing and help position the firm for the future."

Mr. Platt previously served as managing director and head of specialty finance in the Financial Institutions Group at Cantor Fitzgerald, in executive director and director positions at UBS Investment Bank and UBS Securities, as principal and executive director of global structured finance at Banc of America Securities, and as vice president of residential mortgage finance at Lehman Brothers. Throughout his career, Andrew has focused on the mortgage industry, covering originators, MBS issuers, REITs, distressed investors, servicers, banks and other mortgage-related specialty finance companies. His education includes an MBA in finance from Fordham University's Graduate School of Business, a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School, and a bachelor's degree in government and business from Skidmore College.

About MountainView Capital Holdings
For 23 years, Denver-based MountainView Capital Holdings has been focusing on the diverse needs of participants in the fixed income capital markets and specializing in mortgage assets. With expertise in asset management, analytics, sales and trading, MountainView is uniquely qualified to create value for clients in all market conditions, and the firm is strategically building on a longstanding commitment to offer a broad range of services. Visit MountainViewCapitalHoldings.com to obtain additional information.

About Clayton Holdings
Clayton Holdings, headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, provides information and services that financial institutions, investors and government entities use to evaluate, acquire, securitize, service and monitor loans and asset-backed securities. Clayton offerings include risk-based analytics, residential and commercial loan due diligence, consulting, surveillance, and staffing solutions. The company provides customized commercial special servicing solutions through its Quantum Servicing subsidiary and REO management, BPOs and a short sale program through its Green River Capital subsidiary. A global reach in the financial services industry is provided by the company's European subsidiary, Clayton EuroRisk. Additional information is available at Clayton.com.

Media Contact
Troy Rusniak | 303-870-8235 or [email protected]

SOURCE MountainView Capital Holdings, LLC