CCRE Expands Credit Group to Match Growing Platform

NEW YORK, May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Cantor Commercial Real Estate ("CCRE") announced the promotion of Michael Kaplan to Head of Credit, and the appointment of Ari Schwartzbard as Director of Credit.   Mr. Kaplan joined CCRE in 2010 as a Managing Director and will lead the expansion of the firm's credit function to match CCRE's growing loan products.  Mr. Schwartzbard, previously a Director at Aareal Capital Corporation, will focus on overseeing potential real estate transactions including loan approvals and portfolio monitoring of all closed loans across the platform. Based in New York, Mr. Schwartzbard will report to Mr. Kaplan.  Mr. Kaplan will continue to report to Anthony Orso, Chief Executive Officer of Cantor Commercial Real Estate.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120801/NY49842LOGO )

"We believe Michael's significant experience in credit risk management, asset management and a strong relationship with the B-piece community will further extend CCRE's leading origination and structuring business," said Mr. Orso. "Michael's expanded role and Ari's expertise will add immediate value to our commercial real estate financing franchise and institutional client base. CCRE is in an even better position to provide strategic advice for clients and to capture market share in the expanding marketplace."

"I am very excited to have a professional of Ari's caliber and experience to join our team," said Mr. Kaplan.  "I look forward to leading the team, and working closely with Ari to continue to grow our firm's credit team and providing our clients with comprehensive financing and advisory services."

Mr. Orso added, "We see these appointments as further supporting our significant expansion, and plan to add more senior level professionals to the credit team that will report to Mr. Kaplan."

Mr. Kaplan was previously a Managing Director, Senior Credit Officer and Underwriting Head for Deutsche Bank Mortgage Capital, Inc. where he also served as the liaison to the B-piece community. Earlier, he held senior positions at both Citicorp Securities and KPMG Peat Marwick's Real Estate Consulting Group.

Mr. Schwartzbard focused on evaluating potential real estate transactions and negotiating terms of restructuring existing loans. Previously, he was a Director in the CMBS Group at FitchRatings, evaluating commercial real estate mortgages, originators and borrowers to rate conduit and fusion commercial mortgage backed securities.   Earlier, he served as a Senior Analyst for MMA Realty Capital, and Analyst for Fortress Investment Group.   

About Cantor Commercial Real Estate
CCRE, an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., is a fully-integrated commercial real estate finance company providing innovative financing solutions to the real estate capital markets. CCRE originates competitively underwritten fixed- and floating-rate mortgages and mezzanine loans secured by diverse asset types in most major U.S. markets. CCRE is capitalized by strong institutional sponsorship including affiliates of CIM Group and Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., and is led by an experienced team of real estate professionals with extensive track records originating, structuring, managing and distributing commercial real estate loans in various economic cycles. For more information, visit www.cantorcre.com.

SOURCE Cantor Commercial Real Estate