Maria Mendias

• Utilized advanced credit expertise to evaluate new loan originations under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines for various programs such as conventional, student housing, lease-up, affordable, bridge, mixed-use, and green programs.
• Performed independent, comprehensive credit assessments of multifamily transactions, identifying key risks and mitigants and adherence to credit standards of property operations, cashflow, borrower experience, management expertise and sponsorship to determine overall creditworthiness and experience.
• Reviewed due diligence materials and third-party reports, ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance.
• Completed full site inspections of multifamily properties in accordance agency standards.
• Evaluated market research and other industry studies in order to deliver thoughtful financial and market analyses to support sound underwriting decisions.
• Partnered with production, analysts, borrowers, and legal counsel to structure transactions and compliance with agency guidelines.
• Efficiently communicated and collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to finalize loan documentation and to ensure smooth execution and efficient loan closings.
• Provided mentorship and training to junior underwriters and analysts, enhancing departmental capabilities.
• Supported process improvements and platform initiatives to strengthen the multifamily credit function through special projects.

• Perform independent analysis of commercial real estate relationships involving complex and large size portfolios ranging from $25MM - $350MM of debt collateralized primarily by stabilized apartment complexes and commercial properties.
• Perform assessment of sponsors financial capacity, management experience, balance sheet strength and overall analysis of the sponsors’ real estate global holdings.
• Complete annual family credit reviews/actions recommending proper strategy for the relationships while assessing risk and applying credit risk guidelines independently without supervision.
• Review and approve cash flow spreads for assigned portfolio and work closely with assigned PM analyst reviewing and approving proper risk rating for all assigned loans.
• Regularly monitor existing portfolio and communicates findings and recommend solutions to management in a timely manner.
• Collect or analyze operating data for classified or criticized loans, prepare & present status reports on troubled loans to Credit Executives during quarterly CSR and watchlist meetings.
• Serve as a mentor to more junior credit managers, and supervise a group of credit analysts in Key Relationship Group.
• Monitor daily pipeline for the Southern California Region and effectively prioritize analysts work assignments of incoming new relationships for timely completion and approval of interim reviews and annual reviews.
• Review and approve annual reviews for new relationships new to KRRG with aggregate exposures > $25MM.

· Manage a group of Senior Asset Managers and Senior Real Estate Credit Analysts for Citibank’s Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF) Western region portfolio group.

· Manage workload and monitor scheduled loan reviews for timely completion.

· Review and approve completed loan reviews, decision underwriting transactions (loan assumptions) and determine proper risk ratings.

· Ensure compliance with CREF and Global Credit Policies, REG B and other regulatory requirements as it relates to management ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­responsibilities.

• Manage a group of Senior Asset Managers and Senior Real Estate Credit Analysts for Citibank’s Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF) Western region portfolio group.
• Manage workload and monitor scheduled loan reviews for timely completion.
• Review and approve completed loan reviews, decision underwriting transactions (loan assumptions) and determine proper risk ratings.
• Ensure compliance with CREF and Global Credit Policies, REG B and other regulatory requirements as it relates to management responsibilities.

• Responsible for managing primary and secondary risk loans in a loan servicer capacity in accordance with Fannie Mae guidelines and Citibank contractual obligations.
• Manage non-performing loans according to Fannie Mae’s guidelines and begin foreclosure when appropriate. Work closely with Trustee, Fannie Mae’s attorney, receiver, third party vendors throughout the pre-foreclosure period.
• Negotiate repayment plans, review requests for discounted payoffs, short sales and prepare Servicer Workout Action Plan (SWAT) with recommendation for Fannie Mae’s approval.
• Special Servicer for Fannie Mae

• Review all construction related contracts, construction budget, bids to determine project risk.
• Analyze applicant’s financial status, credit, and property evaluations to determine feasibility of granting loan and determine degree of risk involved in extending credit. Review and approve program or policy exceptions within approval authority up to $2 Million and sign off loan conditions for junior underwriters.
• Assess the credit request to ensure the bank is compliant with company, regulatory and investor policies and guidelines (including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac).

• Responsible for evaluating and clarifying loan risk; ranking risk, making decisions according to company policies and guidelines and approving construction loans of up to $2 million.
• Review all construction related contracts, construction budget, bids to determine risk.
• Provide guidance to Loan Sales agents and brokers with regards to loan structuring, pricing, etc. Assist and train junior and contract underwriters and correspondent brokers.

• Responsible for the underwriting, due diligence and closing of commercial permanent loans under CMBS guidelines, as well as construction and interim financing. Property types included hotels, office, multi-family, retail, and industrial. Underwriting included cash flow and market analysis, site inspections and Borrower credit analysis. Lending areas and Underwriting included real estate loans across the Western United States. Other loans underwritten included construction, bridge and participation loans with other institutions.
• Used various credit products and methodologies to structure profitable transactions for the bank.
• Complete loan recommendation memorandum and presentation of new loan transactions and submit to credit committee for approval.
• Other responsibilities included loan quotes, pre-qualifications, engagement of third party vendors, review of third party reports (appraisal, seismic, Environmental Phase 1, etc), work with trading desk to rate lock transactions, coordinate negotiation of loan documentation with bank and Borrower’s attorneys, work with escrow agents and attorneys to coordinate closings, provide assistance to Account Executives with rate quotes and re-structuring transactions in order to meet required loan guidelines, work with rating agencies on post-closing due-diligence and requirements.