Peter C. Rodriguez

President

With a career that began in the late 1990s, Peter brings decades of mortgage industry expertise and a deep understanding of both traditional and non-traditional lending products. He got his start working for mortgage bankers as an underwriter and funder in the FHA Title One second mortgage markets—an experience that gave him a strong foundation in risk assessment and lending strategy.

Peter’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found American Financial alongside his long-time business partner, Greg Beckler. Their vision was to create a full-service mortgage brokerage with a focus on empowering first-time homebuyers and serving the emerging “Alt-A” loan market—what is known today as Non-QM loans. Under their leadership, American Financial became known for its client-first approach and innovative solutions tailored to borrowers with unique financial profiles.

During the challenges of the Great Recession, Peter expanded his role in the industry by serving on an advisory council for law firms specializing in real estate and mortgage matters. This experience gave him a broader perspective on the regulatory and legal aspects of housing finance and reinforced his commitment to transparency and advocacy for clients navigating complex lending environments.

Peter’s career path has taken him through respected institutions such as US Bank, Pacific Mercantile Bank (now Banc of California), and Home Mortgage Alliance Corp (HMAC). In these roles, he acted as both a full-service mortgage broker and a direct lender, helping originate and close over $100 million in home loan transactions.

Today, Peter continues his mission of helping individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership. Working with a wide spectrum of investors and financial institutions, he is equipped to serve clients from all walks of life, offering a personalized approach that matches the right product to each borrower’s goals.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Peter is known for his collaborative nature, strategic mindset, and unwavering dedication to excellence. His decades-long commitment to the industry is rooted in a simple belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to own a home, and it’s his job to help make that journey as smooth and successful as possible.