Ever wondered how the complex world of mortgage-backed securities came to be? It all started with one man, Lewis S. Ranieri, whose innovative thinking reshaped the financial landscape and inadvertently laid the groundwork for both prosperity and peril.

Lewis S. Ranieri, often hailed as the "father of securitization," is a figure of both immense respect and considerable controversy. His pioneering work in the late 1970s at Salomon Brothers revolutionized the mortgage industry, making homeownership accessible to millions. However, his legacy is also intertwined with the 2008 financial crisis, with some critics arguing that the very mechanisms he created ultimately contributed to the market's collapse. This article delves into the life and career of Ranieri, exploring the origins of securitization, its subsequent growth, and the enduring debate surrounding its impact on the global economy.

Category	Information
Full Name	Lewis S. Ranieri
Date of Birth	January 18, 1947
Age	77 years old (as of October 26, 2024)
Place of Birth	Brooklyn, New York
Current Residence	Merrick, NY
Previous Residences	Locust Valley, NY; Uniondale, NY
Education	St. John's University (Bachelor's Degree, Honorary Doctorate of Law)
Career	Former Bond Trader, Vice Chairman of Salomon Brothers, Founder and Chairman of Ranieri Partners
Industry	Real Estate, Finance
Known For	Pioneering securitization and mortgage-backed securities
Alternative Names	Lewis Ranier, Lewis Rainieri
Email	L.ranieri@ranieripartners.com
Awards and Recognition	Named one of the greatest innovators of the past 75 years by BusinessWeek (2004); National Housing Hall of Fame; FIASI Hall of Fame; Lifetime Achievement Award, Fixed Income Analysts Society, Inc.; Distinguished Industry Service Award, American Securitization Forum (2005).
Philanthropy	Chairman, Tomorrows Hope Foundation
Reference	Ranieri Partners Official Website