Meridian Approved by Fannie Mae to re-enter Loan Market

Meridian Capital Group, a powerhouse in commercial real estate finance, investment sales, and retail leasing, has exciting news for the industry: Fannie Mae lenders can once again request quotes for Meridian-brokered loans, effective immediately. This marks a significant milestone for the firm, which has spent the past year fortifying its operations to deliver even greater value to clients.

“We’ve invested heavily in our people, processes, and technology to build a risk management and control framework that sets a new standard for commercial mortgage brokerages,” said Brian Brooks, Meridian’s Chairman and CEO. “Fannie Mae’s recognition of our efforts is a testament to our commitment, and we’re thrilled to offer our clients a full spectrum of financing solutions, including agency loans.”

LeadingThe firm’s Chief Risk Officer, Melissa Martinez, emphasized the robustness of the new system, stating, “Our upgraded risk management processes give lenders confidence that every Meridian transaction is vetted with bank-level precision, ensuring trust and reliability.”

A Year of Transformation

Meridian’s return to the Fannie Mae market comes after a transformative year of governance and risk management enhancements. The firm has implemented several strategic initiatives, including:

• Strengthened Leadership: Meridian welcomed two independent board members—Andrew Bon Salle, former Fannie Mae EVP and HomePoint Chairman, and Pat Jackson, CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Sabal Investment Holdings—bringing deep industry expertise to the table.
• Dedicated Risk Oversight: The appointment of Melissa Martinez, previously Chief Risk Officer at CoreLogic and OneWest Bank, as Meridian’s first Chief Risk Officer underscores the firm’s focus on accountability.
• Rigorous Underwriting: New protocols mandate pre-screening for all brokered deals to ensure compliance and risk alignment, streamlining the approval process.
• Enhanced Review Processes: A Management Credit Approval Committee now scrutinizes large loans and all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac transactions prior to funding, adding an extra layer of diligence.
• Ongoing Compliance: A quarterly Loan Review process monitors post-transaction compliance, with corrective actions ranging from retraining to termination if issues are identified.

A Legacy of Excellence

Since its founding, Meridian Capital Group has arranged over $550 billion in commercial real estate financing for more than 11,000 clients, cementing its position as the nation’s leading commercial mortgage broker by transaction volume and a top-five player by dollar amount. The firm’s re-entry into the Freddie Mac market on January 1, 2025, further solidifies its dominance in the agency lending space.

With these enhancements, Meridian is poised to continue its legacy of excellence, offering clients unparalleled access to capital and lenders unmatched confidence in the integrity of its transactions. Stay tuned as Meridian Capital Group sets the bar higher for commercial real estate finance.