ATLANTA (April 3, 2024) – Peachtree Group ("Peachtree") announced the elevation of three senior executives, expanding their roles to strengthen the firm’s executive leadership team. The promotions include Michael Harper to president of hotel lending, Jared Schlosser to executive vice president of hotel lending and head of CPACE and Michael Ritz to executive vice president of investments.
"These appointments underscore Peachtree's commitment to its core growth initiatives in hotel lending, as well as fostering talent from within our own ranks, with an eye toward further diversifying its allocation strategies as it taps into new investment opportunities," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO and managing principal.
Since joining Peachtree in 2014, Harper has distinguished himself through a succession of leadership roles, directing the company's credit business, particularly in loan originations and strategic acquisition of credit portfolios. Since joining, he has led the team through over 500 investments totaling over $6 billion. As president, he is responsible for the entirety of Peachtree's credit platform for hotels, guiding all facets of the credit business.
Schlosser's promotion to executive vice president of hotel lending and head of CPACE reflects his exceptional performance and extensive knowledge of the hotel loan origination processes and the firm's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) program. His significant contributions since joining the firm in 2019 have been crucial in advancing Peachtree's CPACE program, which now exceeds $800 million in transactions and has become one of the largest in the U.S. Furthermore, since taking over hotel originations at the start of 2022, Peachtree has completed more than $1.5 billion in hotel loans, further demonstrating his expertise and effectiveness in these dual roles.
Ritz has been elevated to the position of executive vice president of investments and will oversee Peachtree's credit and equity investments across commercial real estate and other ventures. He joined Peachtree in 2017, and his promotion recognizes his expertise in successfully managing and growing a portfolio of investments that is now approaching $10 billion in transaction asset value.
Peachtree was recently ranked as the tenth largest U.S. commercial real estate hotel lender, its third consecutive year in the top ten, by the Mortgage Bankers Association ("MBA") 2023 loan origination rankings.
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is a vertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, we manage billions in capital across acquisitions, development, and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow our investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.
Contact:
Charles Talbert
678-823-7683
ctalbert@peachtreegroup.com
There is a record amount of debt maturities in 2024 at close to $1T, and another $1T over the next two years, notes Greg Friedman CEO Peachtree Group.
In this interview with Schwab Nework, he discusses commercial real estate and how the market is still pricing in 50BPS of cuts between now and the end of the year, and its increasingly looking like faith rather than “data driven.”
Watch the full interview here.
It seems like the housing market is currently in a better position compared to previous economic recessions, such as the one in 2009. Back then, 26% of mortgaged residential properties had negative equity, while now it's only about 2.7%. Although industries reliant on debt, like commercial real estate, are facing challenges recalibrating to higher interest rates, it's unlikely that we're headed towards a major economic recession without a significant setback in the housing market.
The stability of the housing sector can help cushion against economic downturns, as it directly impacts consumer wealth and confidence, which in turn influences spending - a significant factor considering that consumer expenditures make up about 70% of the U.S. GDP. This stability enhances the likelihood of sustained economic growth rather than a descent into a recession.
This commentary originally appeared on Greg Friedman's LinkedIn page on May 15, 2024, in response to a Bloomberg article by Alexandre Tanzi titled: "Seriously Underwater' Home Mortgages Tick Up Across the US.
Follow Greg Friedman and Peachtree Group on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Peachtree Group's Credit division.
Prior to 2022, borrowers enjoyed for over a decade the opportunity to secure loans at near-zero interest rates, a boon that fueled growth and expansion in the commercial real estate market. Today, we see an unprecedented volume of loans maturing in a much higher interest rate environment, with banks reducing exposure to commercial real estate. Despite these conditions, the demand for loans continues to grow.
Historically, a spike in loan demand during higher interest rates would be a warning sign of a looming credit crunch. Yet, defying expectations, recent data suggests a deviation from this pattern, with banks reporting increased lending activity despite maintaining onerous lending standards. This anomaly, combined with moderated inflation, challenges traditional recession indicators. While some analysts cautiously suggest that "this time is different," economic uncertainties persist, posing an interesting question about the underlying market dynamics.
While uncertainties linger, one thing remains clear: the commercial real estate sector faces a pivotal juncture. We are navigating the evolving landscape vigilantly, balancing risk and opportunity in a market shaped by unprecedented forces.
This commentary originally appeared on Greg Friedman's LinkedIn page on May 16, 2024, in response to an Inc magazine article by Phil Rosen titled: A Critical Recession Red Flag is Missing.
Follow Greg Friedman and Peachtree Group on LinkedIn.
Learn more about Peachtree Group's Credit division.
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