New Walker & Dunlop COO aims to boost CMBS lending

Walker & Dunlop has brought in Jeffrey Taschler as COO and senior vice president of its CMBS lending business, originating structured finance products for clients across the US from the firm’s New York office.

Taschler, who started this week, joins the firm at a time when it is trying to bring its CMBS business on par with its more robust agency lending platform. He told Real Estate Capital that he plans to do so by pushing into new asset types and markets across the country. 

“We cannot do enough of multifamily because it is such a desirable property type, but ultimately we must look at all property types,”  Taschler said, noting that spreads are only tightening and the market is becoming more volatile as the property cycle starts to mature.

“I think as we get further into property cycle, competition is going to be intense. What will differentiate us from the pack is our experience and relationships.”

The firm’s Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac businesses each originated $1.1bn in Q2. Comparatively, its CMBS joint venture with Fortress Investment Group formed in late 2013, originated just $275.8m during the first half of the year.

Taschler, who prior to the new role originated securitized debt, mezzanine and bridge loans at Ladder Capital, will report to Tim Koltermann, CEO of Walker & Dunlop Commercial Property Funding (WDCPF).

He has been in the commercial real estate business for over 25 years. Before his stint at Ladder, Taschler headed originations at UBS investment Bank and ran the commercial mortgage lending business at Bear Stearns & company.