IRVINE, Calif. – December 13, 2019 – Berkadia today announced the addition of three new mortgage banking team members to its Irvine, California office: Managing Director Chuck Christensen, Senior Director Vincent Punzi and Vice President, Originations Lowell Takahashi. They will report to Senior Managing Director Ed Zimbler.

“We continue to see a strong appetite for transactions in Southern California as apartment demand remains healthy and occupancy remains high,” said Zimbler. “We’re thrilled to add Chuck, Vincent and Lowell to our team. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise that will enable us to continue to deliver the innovative and comprehensive financing solutions that empower our clients to reach their goals.”

Christensen, Punzi and Takahashi join Berkadia from Capital One Multifamily Finance, where they worked together providing balance sheet, bridge and life company financing, as well as agency financing solutions to clients nationwide. Christensen served as Senior Vice President of Originations, while both Punzi and Takahashi served as Vice Presidents of Originations.

“Berkadia’s financing platform is one of the best in the business, driven by exceptional talent focused on long-term client success and underpinned by powerful data and technology,” said Christensen. “In joining the Irvine office, we’re excited to bring new ideas and experience that will help drive continued success for Berkadia and, most importantly, our clients.”

Christensen has more than 30 years of commercial real estate experience, with a diverse background that includes direct real estate investments and syndications expertise as well as providing real estate consulting services for investors, borrowers and lenders.

Punzi previously held a number of decision-making roles in the industry, ranging from real estate and distressed debt acquisition to origination of Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and balance sheet loans. Throughout his career, he has acquired and financed more than $1.5 billion in commercial real estate.

Takahashi has spent the entirety of his career in the GSE industry, during which time he served as Western Region Credit Team Lead at Fannie Mae. He also has experience on the lender side of the GSE network in various roles including loan structuring, underwriting and transaction management.

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