A head of research at a major rating agency, and panelist for this publication at a recent Breakfast Briefing, is starting a new career chapter.

Christopher Whalen, senior managing director and head of research at Kroll Bond Rating Agency, and a panellist at a recent Family Wealth Report Breakfast Briefing (see here), has stepped down from KBRA after three years at the firm, it has announced. 

In his position at Kroll, Whalen has been responsible for the ratings of commercial banks and financial institutions, as well as publishing research.

Going forward, Whalen will return to his past role as an analyst and consultant covering the financial services and mortgage finance sectors. Whalen will also be marketing his latest book, Ford Men: From Inspiration to Enterprise which will be released by Laissez Faire books in early April this year.

“When Chris joined KBRA in 2014, the financial institutions group was in its infancy and most of the team was still focused on the legacy bank data products of Lace Financial,” KBRA president and chief executive Jim Nadler, said. “Today the team includes over 25 professionals, has rated over 100 commercial banks and non-banks, and has added an industry-leading aviation team and a new insurance ratings group. Thanks to Chris’ leadership, we are poised for growth in the financial institutions space, both in the US and as KBRA expands outside the US,” he said.

Whalen plans to launch a subscription newsletter focused on financials and related technology companies in April. He will also re-launch his blog, the Institutional Risk Analyst, and participating in a new online video service.

Whalen also has written on issues such as the possible rollback of the Dodd-Frank legislation in the US; see his article, republished with permission by FWR, here.