Thursday, January 10, 2008

Help Wanted: Buffett’s New Bond Insurance Venture to Trigger Hiring Spree (BRK.A; MBI; ABK)

From A.E. Feldman (recruiters):

The Oracle of Omaha has entered the beleaguered bond insurance industry. The billionaire investor told The Wall Street Journal he is ready to plow “quite a bit of capital” into his newly launched municipal bond insurer, Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp., which will insure bonds in New York and at least four other states. Buffett’s move comes as business rivals, MBIA and Ambac, struggle to raise capital. Despite knee-jerk worries about competition, shares of the rival companies have jumped. Taking their cues from the billionaire investor, investors are now betting that there is money to be made in the sector. Executive search firm, A.E. Feldman, says the development will undoubtedly bring jobs to the financial guarantee industry. Opportunities will open up for candidates with expertise in the municipal bond market....MORE