In 1980 I earned an undergraduate degree in economics followed in 1984 by an MBA in finance with a concentration in Public Finance. With this focus on the tax-exempt market I became a municipal bond analyst at Shearson/Lehman Brothers tasked with following both general obligation issuers on the ...more

In 1980 I earned an undergraduate degree in economics followed in 1984 by an MBA in finance with a concentration in Public Finance. With this focus on the tax-exempt market I became a municipal bond analyst at Shearson/Lehman Brothers tasked with following both general obligation issuers on the city and state level as well as housing bonds secured by mortgage pools. This experience at Shearson/Lehman Brothers followed by stints at PaineWebber and Citigroup provided a broad framework of understanding concerning the mechanics of mortgage debt in terms of prepayment experience, mortgage quality and the expected duration of a portfolio. Leaving Wall Street I started Exeter Commercial which funded commercial mortgage loans. Title insurance was a critical part of the underwriting and closing process. At the peak of the financial crisis, I recognized both an opportunity and need as many title insurance firms, for a variety of reasons, closed their doors. Out of this, Hallmark Abstract Service was born.less