With our expertise and ingenuity, we build custom investment strategies targeting high risk adjusted rates of return
ABOUT US
Established in 2012, Vila Rica is an independent asset management firm focused on alternative investments. We currently invest in credit and special opportunities – Non Performing Loans, Personal Loans, High Yield Strategies, Distressed Assets, Private Equity and Real Estate.
OUR FEATURES
Experienced team with a diversified and complentary skillset.


Solid track record: Vila Rica has executed transactions totaling more than BRL 50 billion (USD 10 billion), generating consistent returns and an ability to mitigate risks in complex situations.
True partnership: Interests aligned with those of the investors, control of the entire process, and relentless pursuit of return maximization and risk management.

OUR TEAM
Our team has a solid track record, vast expertise in managing illiquid assets, and a passion for dealing with complex and potentially profitable investment opportunities. This forms a solid foundation for generating high quality returns.
PARTNERS
Bento Moreira Franco
CIO
Franco was a partner at Angra Partners and founding partner of Arion Capital, where he led several restructuring processes. He worked at Bank Dresdner Kleinwort and Banco Pactual, in the Mergers & Acquisitions division. So far, has completed some BRL 30 billion in transactions across multiple industries. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a post graduate degree from Harvard Business School (OPM).
Cesar Chicayban
CEO
Cesar is the CEO and Managing Partner of Vila Rica Capital. He has over 27 years of experience as a senior banker and advisor at large banks in New York, Geneva, London and São Paulo. Cesar spent 22 years at Citigroup where he was the Global Market Manager for Citi Wealth Management in New York, responsible for over $300 billion in assets of some of the most sophisticated institutional investors and family offices across the globe. Before that, he spent 6 years at Itau-Unibanco and Santander advising institutional and retail clients.
Cesar holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University Federal Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro, an MBA from the University of Rochester – Simon Business School and he completed an Executive Development Program at Harvard Business School. He holds FINRA Series 7, 65 and 24 licenses.
Cesar serves on the Board of Columbia University Global Center
Guilherme Vilazante
PARTNER
Has experience in the combined financial market across Equity Research, M&A and Corporate Finance, Private Equity Funds and Real Estate.
He has been directly invoved in more than 15 IPOs and follow-ons and over 20 M&A mandates in several industries. He is recognized by the national and international investment community with more than 15 awards from the Institutional Investor Latin America ranking.
Ivete Turola
PARTNER
Worked at Banco de Boston, BCN, Banco Santander, HSB and Bradesco. He has been involved in multiple corporate restructurings. He also participated in structured cash management and collaborated with bank treasuries.
Rafael Saiki Oki
ANALYST
Worked as an investment analyst at Portfólio - Assessoria e Administração de Recursos and Valora Gestão de Investimentos.
Heholds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from PUC-SP and a post graduate degree in Business Administration from Mackenzie.
Gustavo Rizzi Forgione
ANALYST
Graduated in International Relations from ESPM-SP. Previously worked with Brava Capital, Jera Capital, and Matriz Capital, with expertise in investments, equity trading, and derivatives. He holds a CGA-ANBIMA stock desk certification.
ADVISORY BOARD
Flavio Guimarães Souto
Over 20 years of experience in executive leadership positions in the financial industry. He conducted intricate restructuring, credit, and capital market operations in Brazil and internationally. Co-founder of Arion Capital and Vila Rica Capital. He is one of the founders of Bullla, one of the main fintechs dedicated to peer to peer lending in Brazil. He has a degree in Economics from Pontifícia Universidade Católica (PUC) of Belo Horizonte and attended the CEO program at FGV. He is a portfolio manager registered with the CVM.
Daltro Borges
Founding partner of Ferro, Castro Neves, Daltro & Gomide Advogados, specializing in commercial litigation, with a focus on corporate restructuring, judicial and out-of-court reorganizations, and bankruptcies. Board member of the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Reorganization (IBR) and of the non-governmental organization (NGO) "Rio Como Vamos". He has served as counsel in major insolvency and restructuring proceedings in Brazil, including those of Varig, Arapuã, Mesbla, NET and Parmalat.
Marcelo Villela
He served as CEO of Banco Losango S.A., Head of Client Value Management and Head of Direct Channel at HSBC Brasil. Partner and CEO of Bullla SEP S.A., one of the leading fintechs dedicated to peer to peer lending in Brazil. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, a Bachelor of Business Decision Methods from Coventry University, and an MBA in Finance from IBMEC. Villela attended the CEO program at FGV.
Ivo Waisberg
Founding partner of TWK Advogados. Over 20 years of experience in commercial, corporate and contract law. Participated in several high-complexity litigations and negotiations. Dedicates himself to commercial and corporate arbitrations, as patron of the parties and as arbitrator, integrating the list of arbitrators of the Market Arbitration Chamber (CAM) | B3, among others. Listed as one of the leading lawyers in the areas of bankruptcy law and debt restructuring by renowned international publications such as Latin Lawyer, Cegal 500 and Chambers Latin America.