Cantor Fitzgerald Creates New Loans Business

New York, NY – June 9, 2009 - Cantor Fitzgerald is pleased to announce that it has added a team of two securities and mortgage industry veterans as whole loan specialists in its Debt Capital Markets group.  Lee Hetfield and Jason Kopcak, who were added as Managing Directors/Co-Heads of Whole Loan Sales and Trading have longstanding experience in both distressed securities and commercial and residential mortgage whole loan origination and investing.

Shawn Matthews, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. commented “Jason and Lee had a vision to create a more efficient market for banks looking to clean up their balance sheets as well as banks looking to take advantage of the attractive prevailing yields in the whole loan markets.  This was a great fit with our existing sales force, which talks to a client base of (hedge) funds increasingly interested in (whole) loans.”  Mr. Matthews continued “Jason’s strong understanding of the collateral and unique capital market relationships and Lee’s experience in real estate and distressed investing seemed a great combination, especially in light of concentration on all manner of mortgage backed securities.  We see a great opportunity to better service our clients with a broader array of residential and commercial real estate products.”

Cantor Fitzgerald’s Debt Capital Markets business, a leading global primary dealer offers services in repo and securities lending, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, interest rate products, agencies, SBA securities and structured products.  Cantor’s Debt Capital Markets group serves over 4000 fixed income customers worldwide.

Jason Kopcak was formerly head of whole loan trading for a principal investing fund involved in resolution of both residential and commercial whole loans.  Prior to that, Mr. Kopcak developed coverage of the bank market for residential and commercial distressed debt opportunities for a real estate investment banking firm based in New York.  Earlier in his career, Mr. Kopcak acquired and grew a national mortgage lender from twelve to over 140 employees, achieving over $1b in origination volume in it peak year.  Mr. Kopcak holds a Bachelors degree from University of Michigan with a concentration in Accounting.

Lee Hetfield was formerly a portfolio manager for a principal investing fund involved in resolution of both residential and commercial whole loans.  Prior to that, Mr. Hetfield sat on the investment committee of an alternative investment firm based in New York with $900 million in assets under management and served as the portfolio manager of a global property fund. Earlier in his career Lee was a high yield bond sales-trader who for 9 years sold leveraged finance transactions.  More recently, Lee spent several years covering hedge accounts specializing in distressed investing.  Mr. Hetfield holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Cantor’s Debt Capital Markets group has added over 125 sales and trading professionals in 2008 and has added 25 new strategic hires since December 2009 and is continuing to grow its fixed income business.

About Cantor Fitzgerald

Cantor Fitzgerald, a leading global financial services firm has been a proven and resilient leader for over 60 years.  The Cantor Fitzgerald franchise includes institutional debt and equity sales and trading, investment banking and real estate private equity, as well as other businesses and ventures.

The firm’s Debt Capital Markets business is a world-class dealer across a broad spectrum of fixed income products.  Known for its personal commitment to clients and excellence in providing liquidity and transaction execution, Cantor Fitzgerald Debt Capital Markets offers services in repo and securities lending, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, corporate bonds, interest rate products, agencies, SBA securities and structured products.  Cantor’s Debt Capital Markets group serves over 4000 fixed income customers worldwide.

The Equity Capital Markets business is a recognized leader in the global third market.  Its professionals operate in major markets around the world providing solutions that address clients’ requirements for execution, return optimization and risk management.  Cantor Fitzgerald Equity Capital Markets offers services in domestic and international equities, derivatives, convertibles and structured products, stock loan, and contracts for difference, as well as investment banking and research.  Cantor’s Equity Capital Markets group serves more than 5000 major institutional investors and corporations worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.cantor.com.

Note to Editors: Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. is the parent company of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

For more information, please visit www.cantor.com.

Contact:

Melanie Gordon-Felsman
mgordon@cantor.com
212 610 2314

Note to Editors: Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. is the parent company of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.