The organization has launched a new fund and hired industry veteran Chuck Lee to lead the continued growth of its proprietary lending capabilities
New York, NY – September 14, 2021 – Berkadia today announced the expansion of its proprietary lending platform with the launch of the BRC Multifamily Bridge Loan Fund LP, an open-ended fund managed by Berkadia Capital Advisors LLC. In addition, Berkadia announced the hiring of Chuck Lee, Senior Managing Director Capital Markets, who will lead further growth of Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC’s proprietary capital markets capabilities.
“Our proprietary bridge lending capacity has been a useful tool for many years. Last year, we determined to increase our proprietary lending capabilities to offer our clients more and better options to help them achieve their financing needs,” said Justin Wheeler, CEO. “We’re thrilled to have Chuck Lee join Berkadia to lead that expansion. His extensive knowledge and experience will be instrumental in offering our clients more diverse and flexible structured financing options.”
Lee is a respected industry veteran who brings more than 25 years of commercial real estate experience to Berkadia, most recently as Head of U.S. CRE Securitization and Warehouse Finance at Credit Suisse. Hired in 2014, Lee was one of the key players in establishing Credit Suisse’s new CRE Capital Markets platform, in addition to recently serving as the President and Chairman of the CRE debt industry’s primary trade group, the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council. He spent the majority of his career at JPMorgan in a variety of senior securitization, structuring, advisory and lending capacities, as well as some time at Deutsche Bank between 2007 and 2010, where among other responsibilities, he served as an advisor to the FDIC and assisted in the launch of the Freddie Mac K-series CME program.
“We’re in a transformative time for our industry, particularly in the wake of the pandemic,” said Lee. “There is no question in my mind, that in this competitive environment, successful lending platforms will be represented by those that demonstrate the highest levels of foresight and creativity in being able to meet both borrower and investor needs. Berkadia has a tremendous existing national footprint and a robust suite of services, and in expanding its proprietary lending capabilities—most immediately with the launch of BRC Multifamily Bridge Loan Fund LP—Berkadia fully intends to leverage all of its resources in enhancing its position as a leader and innovator in the multifamily and CRE lending and capital markets industry.
“I’m extraordinarily excited to have been welcomed into the Berkadia family,” continued Lee. “I look forward to directing all of my accumulated knowledge, experience and expertise to Berkadia’s newest initiatives, with a keen focus on establishing a bridge lending and capital markets program aimed at being one of the best in the industry by all of our current and future borrowers and investors.”
Berkadia’s Proprietary Lending platform will continue to develop offerings targeting the needs of its multifamily and affordable clients. Given the growing demand for Affordable housing, and the strong credit performance of Affordable housing loans over several cycles, Berkadia is particularly focused on providing a range of options for Affordable assets. Berkadia Commercial Mortgage also has plans to launch a multifamily CLO platform, as well as a Joint Venture ESG focused vehicle, which will target ESG focused investments on moderate risk light transition loans, mezzanine, participating mortgages and C-Pace Loans.
Berkadia Launches Multifamily Bridge Loan Fund | Connect Media
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