The former president and CEO of Ginnie Mae, Joseph Murin, and former Federal Housing Administration commissioner Brian Montgomery teamed up to form The Collingwood Group. The firm will provide advisory services to boards of directors and senior executives in financial services companies. In forming the company, Murin and Montgomery effectively merged the new operations with another consulting company, Capital Financial Solutions (CFS). Since 2007, CFS has served the financial services industry, targeting companies that require strategic business development, business and risk management, and business and technology systems design and development services. “There has never been a time more important for the financial services industry to work hand-in-hand with the federal government to help restore stability and liquidity to the markets,” Murin said. “We will advise our clients on how they operate strategically in this environment, as markets continue to shift and the regulatory landscape inevitably changes.” Montgomery added, “Our purpose is to help new clients and existing CFS clients to continue to grow their business and to effectively navigate the business and public policy environment in some of the most challenging economic conditions the nation has ever known.” Murin moves from the role of Ginnie Mae CEO, which he left last week after a year at the post. He brings a history of experience in the mortgage lending space. Montgomery comes from a background in public policy. He recently served as acting HUD secretary. Write to Diana Golobay.