Freddie Mac

LOS ANGELES—Berkadia's Los Angeles office is the top-ranked Freddie Mac lender in the Western Region for 2016. Last year, the office originated $3.16 billion in Freddie Mac loans, a year-over-year increase of 25%. In 2015, Berkadia was also ranked as the leader of the Western region with $2.52 billion in Freddie Mac loan originations. In 2016, the office closed 72 Freddie Mac loans.

“The reason that we were able to achieve a number one ranking is because with Freddie, you close with your own money. We are probably the strongest balance sheet and mortgage banker in the United States,” Ed Zimbler, senior managing director at Berkadia, tells GlobeSt.com. “So, it is great that Freddie is providing liquidity, but we also view ourselves as the most liquid lender. That is important. This also says a lot about our depth and talent. This is not just a great place to work for top producers, but for people in all aspects of the company. That support provides us the opportunity to produce a lot of volume at all times.”

While the firm focused on Freddie Mac in 2016 and 2015, they were also ranked among the top originators for Fannie Mae as well in 2016. The focus on Freddie Mac was the result of more attractive loan products for Berkadia's clients. “There is an orientation toward Freddie, but we tend to be centered on the client's needs,” says Zimbler. “Being centered on the client's needs, last year, there was an orientation toward Freddie because last year, they were a particularly aggressive lender. That is why we did so much business with them. We have a lot of product knowledge and we are trying to serve the client, and Freddie really provided good programs that we were able to access.”

According to Zimbler, Freddie Mac is attractive to borrowers with new initiatives, but in general, the agencies are powerhouses with a lot to offer. “When you look at what Freddie is doing in encouraging a lot of new initiatives, like the green initiatives, that are so worthwhile, it is exciting to be part of something so exciting,” he says. “The agencies are doing a lot of things to help housing and make housing better and create liquidity for housing in this country. It is something that you feel good about.”