Rodrigo Briceno has played a key role in developing the non-QM securitization market. He educated and facilitated processes with rating agencies, investors, underwriters and legal teams to find the necessary liquidity to execute Invictus’ strategy and create its securitization platform. Briceno, who joined the firm in 2012 as its seventh employee, is now responsible for running Invictus’ securitization program. With his help, Invictus became the first non-QM issuer to have its inaugural securitization rated AAA, and subsequently led the completion of 15 transactions under the Verus Mortgage Capital shelf. Invictus was an early institutional investor in non-QM, and at the time the firm began buying loans, there was very little research in the non-QM space. Briceno researched and developed the non-QM market, step by step, working with mortgage originators, warehouse banks, rating agencies, servicers, diligence firms and bond investors to help shape the market as he raised awareness for market participants and raised institutional capital.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“Surround yourself with the right people. Make sure you can learn and grow with your team every day. It is important that your team’s experience is diverse and that everyone is open to new ideas. When you combine diverse skill sets with a hard-working collaborative team, you can achieve anything.”