American Securitization exec director to resign

NEW YORK Nov 20 (Reuters) - George Miller, executive director of the American Securitization Forum, is resigning next month, the U.S. bond lobbying group said on Friday.

The ASF is an advocate for the securitization industry that was at the heart of the financial crisis. It has promoted increased transparency and federal programs that have helped stabilize part of the market, but issuances other than those supported by the government are mostly frozen.

Miller, who has led the ASF since 2004, in a statement said he decided to pursue other opportunities. Tom Deutsch, the ASF's deputy executive director, will be acting executive director, the ASF said.

ASF's more than 330 member firms include bond issuers, investors and rating companies. It is an independent forum of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. (Reporting by Al Yoon; Editing by Leslie Adler)