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Securitized Opportunities Strategy

The strategy emphasizes moderate to higher risk opportunities within securitized products. Management employs a fundamental, relative-value approach that seeks alpha by strategically allocating between two sources: sector allocation and security selection. A focus on non-index sectors typically provides for more stable duration and higher yield than traditional MBS-oriented strategies. Management favors longer holding periods, which can enable the realization of the yield advantage over the benchmark.

  • Focus on moderate to higher risk/return opportunities within securitized products
  • High spread/short spread duration focus reduces volatility
  • Longer holding periods enable realization of yield advantage 

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Securitized

STYLE

Bloomberg US Mortgage Backed Securities Index

BENCHMARK

October 1, 2011

INCEPTION

$678 Million

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

As of 09/30/2024

US Securitized Fixed Income  Non-Traditional

EVESTMENT UNIVERSE

Separate Account

ETF

INVESTMENT VEHICLES

Philosophy

We believe Securitized products offer a superior risk/return profile versus competing fixed income assets. Securitized products tend to have complex structures and uncertain cash flows, offering potential for inefficient markets and attractive risk-adjusted returns. Strong front-end due diligence and back-end surveillance processes are necessary to navigate markets and manage risk. Sector complexity fosters a smaller yet sophisticated investor base, resulting in a favorable market dynamic and volatility profile over time. Emphasizing the income component of return and focusing on high spread/shorter spread duration securities supports fundamental investing with a longer-term horizon.

Portfolio Construction

  • Emphasize non-index securities
  • Invest across capital structure with emphasis on higher yielding opportunities
  • Emphasize risk premium relative to default risk
  • Model securities using proprietary and industry standard resources
  • Number of issues: Typically 50-100
  • Duration: Typically Benchmark +/- 2.0 years
  • Below IG: Typically <25%
  • Non-U.S.: Typically <5%

Management Team

Scott Weston

Scott D. Weston

Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager

Career Summary
Countrywide Investments
Midwest Group of Funds

Education 
BA - University of Utah
MBA - University of Cincinnati

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Richard V. Schneider

Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, Securitized Products

Career Summary
Mesirow Financial
Loop Capital Markets
Lehman Brothers Asset Management
Lincoln Capital Management

Education 
MBA - University of Notre Dame
BS - University of Notre Dame

Meet Richard Schneider
Brent Miller

Brent A. Miller, CFA

Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, Securitized Products

Career Summary
Integrity Companies

Education 
BS - University of Evansville

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photo of Laura Mayfield

Laura L. Mayfield

Assistant Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager

Career Summary
Western & Southern Life Assurance Company

Education
BA - Olivet Nazarene University
MBA - Xavier University

Meet Laura Mayfield

Connect with Fort Washington

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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Past performance is not indicative of future results.