The $2.4 billion Affinity Federal Credit Union in Basking Ridge, N.J., said it has hired Wall Street banker Scott Witherspoon as the 132,600-member credit union's new senior vice president and chief credit officer.

Witherspoon has been with Morgan Stanley for the past 20 years, most recently as managing director, credit risk management, Affinity said. He was responsible for managing U.S. credit risk on a full array of lending programs in the firm's Global Wealth Management Group, his new employer said.

Witherspoon also oversaw Community Reinvestment Act wholesale lending for Morgan Stanley with a focus on affordable housing and economic development. 

At Morgan Stanley, he also contributed to two chapters in the book “The Morgan Stanley Guide to Personal Investing” by Robert Gardiner, former chairman and CEO of Dean Witter Financial Services Group, Affinity FCU said.

“Scott is a business-savvy financial strategist with over 30 years of experience as an executive leader in the financial services industry,” said Affinity President/CEO John Fenton.

“In his new role, he will be responsible for the overall growth and success of Affinity's consumer and business lending, loan servicing and member care business units,” Fenton said.

Witherspoon succeeds Robert L. Birkhahn, who passed away in January, Affinity FCU said.