ING Real Estate Finance said that Craig Bender will reclaim his position as managing director as ING relaunches its U.S. real estate lending operations.
For 10 years, Bender managed a $5 billion portfolio at ING and managed its real estate lending platform until the wind down. He moved to BBVA Compass in 2013, where he became its senior vice president and market manager and oversaw commercial real estate client coverage and banking activities in the Northeast.
Jeffrey Schwartz is also rejoining the company as vice president. He spent six years as an associate of CRE originations, underwriting and portfolio management until the wind down, when he moved to JPMorgan Real Estate Banking in 2013. There, he was a senior underwriter and then vice president and underwriting manager, where he was responsible for evaluating, underwriting, sizing and structuring CRE credit facilities across an aggregate upwards of $5 billion.
"Due to strong U.S. and international real estate market conditions and our commitment to better serve ING's U.S.-based clients active in Europe, we are very excited to hire both Craig and Jeffrey to reboot the ING Real Estate Finance USA group," said Michael Shields, managing director and head of ING Real Estate Finance Western Europe, U.K., U.S. and structured products. "Craig and Jeffrey were previously integral figures within ING's U.S. lending efforts and have a tremendous track record of success and the industry expertise and contacts to quickly ramp up our presence in this market."
In rejoining ING, Bender will oversee the development and management of its CRE team. Schwartz will be responsible for loan originating, underwriting and portfolio management of new client loan commitments.
