Waterfall Asset Management: A New Era of Leadership

In the ever-evolving landscape of asset management, Waterfall Asset Management has made a strategic move that could reshape its future. The appointment of Keerthi Raghavan as Co-Chief Investment Officer (Co-CIO) alongside Brian Rebello marks a significant shift in the firm's leadership and strategic direction. This move comes at a time when the global economic climate is fraught with uncertainty, making experienced leadership more crucial than ever.

Raghavan, who joined Waterfall in 2014, brings over 16 years of industry experience, including his previous role as Director for CMBS Credit Trading and Head of CMBS Research at Barclays Capital. His extensive background in structured credit and asset-backed securities aligns perfectly with Waterfall's focus on specialty finance opportunities. As stated by Thomas Capasse, Founder and Managing Partner of Waterfall, "Keerthi is already viewed as a leader of the firm by clients, team members and counterparties and will further excel in this expanded leadership role as we continue to provide tailored solutions across the asset-backed finance markets." This highlights the firm's commitment to leveraging experienced leadership to navigate complex market conditions.

The appointment of Raghavan as Co-CIO reflects Waterfall's strategic vision and its approach to risk management in the current economic climate. In an era characterized by evolving political landscapes, fluctuating interest rates, and inflationary pressures, Waterfall's approach to risk management is crucial. Raghavan's experience in credit trading and research positions him well to manage the risks associated with structured credit securities and whole loans. As noted in the firm's description, Waterfall seeks to provide its clients a compelling risk/return profile which is generally uncorrelated to most traditional investment opportunities. This approach is likely to be enhanced by Raghavan's expertise, ensuring that the firm can continue to offer robust risk management strategies to its clients.

Raghavan's extensive experience in CMBS credit trading and research at Barclays Capital is likely to significantly influence Waterfall's investment strategies, particularly in the context of asset-backed securities and whole loans. His background in CMBS (Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities) credit trading and research provides him with a deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of the asset-backed securities market. This expertise can be leveraged to enhance Waterfall's ability to identify and capitalize on investment opportunities in this sector. For instance, Raghavan's experience in CMBS research can help Waterfall in conducting thorough due diligence and risk assessment of potential investments, ensuring that the firm makes informed decisions. Additionally, his trading background can enable Waterfall to execute trades more efficiently and effectively, potentially leading to better returns for the firm's clients. Furthermore, Raghavan's experience can also influence Waterfall's strategies in the whole loans market, as his knowledge of the underlying assets and credit risks can help the firm in structuring and pricing these loans more accurately. Overall, Raghavan's expertise in CMBS credit trading and research can provide Waterfall with a competitive edge in the asset-backed securities and whole loans markets, enabling the firm to deliver superior investment performance to its clients.

The appointment of Raghavan as Co-CIO also reflects Waterfall's commitment to continuity and stability. Raghavan will work alongside current Co-CIO Brian Rebello, who has been with the firm since 2010 and possesses over 25 years of industry experience. This dual leadership structure ensures that the firm's investment activities are overseen by experienced professionals who can provide a balanced and informed approach to decision-making. As Jack Ross, Founder and Managing Partner at Waterfall, noted, "Keerthi has been a key contributor since joining Waterfall in 2014. His leadership is evident across all facets of the firm, from delivering an exceptional investing experience to clients, to contributing and executing firm strategy."

In summary, the appointment of Keerthi Raghavan as Co-CIO at Waterfall Asset Management underscores the firm's strategic vision of leveraging experienced leadership to navigate complex market conditions, enhance risk management strategies, and continue providing tailored investment solutions to its clients. As the global economic climate continues to evolve, Waterfall's new leadership structure positions the firm to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.