Analyst/Senior Analyst, Surveillance

Job Summary:

The Surveillance department manages a $100Bn portfolio of Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) loans for which LNR is the named Special Servicer. The team provides portfolio, deal and loan-level credit analysis to monitor over 5,000 loans backed by commercial real estate for potential risks. Property types include office, retail, multifamily, hotel, industrial, and self-storage loans located across the U.S. Surveillance is a energetic department with a central role in the operations of the Special Servicer and the training of younger staff members. Surveillance is the main point of contact for internal and external parties including Starwood’s senior management, outside CMBS investors, Master Servicers, and Rating Agencies. Surveillance monitors performance at the loan, deal, and portfolio level, and addresses any issues in a timely fashion to minimize potential future portfolio impairment. This role will support the Surveillance department in the areas of CMBS deal due diligence, portfolio and deal monitoring, training, and underlying commercial real estate (CRE) credit analysis.

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze credit risk across a varied $100Bn CMBS portfolio
• Underwrite new CMBS loans across various CRE asset types for Starwood Property Trust’s acquisition of CMBS B-Pieces
• Prepare and present credit findings to senior management and to external investment partners of LNR and SPT
• Review Deal Performance Reports prepared by junior analysts to ensure proper credit assessment of the underlying loans and collateral, and the identification of credit risks to ensure compliance with the loan documents, and minimize loss severity
• Monitor current events (i.e. retail bankruptcies, natural disasters, tenant credit downgrades) to assess risks and potential impact to the portfolio
• Participate in ongoing monthly discussions with senior management and third-party clients to identify and discuss credit concerns, and to determine best path forward on potential problem assets
• Monitor loan-level compliance administered by various Master Servicers
• Provide timely responses to loan and collateral-related questions from senior management and third-party investment partners, to provide transparency and maintain strong relationships
• Assist in developing innovative processes for more efficient monitoring and reporting of loan and property performance
• Provide support to LNR and SPT’s senior management team with various ad hoc requests to help identify potential credit risks and potential opportunities
• Train and mentor rotating analysts and intern classes throughout the year

 

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience in CRE credit underwriting and general understanding of CMBS (preferred, not required)
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to receive constructive feedback to enable growth
• Interest in learning about various elements of commercial real estate including credit fundamentals, understanding loan documents, and exercising lender’s remedies
• Math skills and ability to write
• Microsoft Excel skills
• Acute attention to detail and self-motivator
• Ability to work efficiently and diligently to deliver quality work product in a timely manner to senior management

 

Education and Experience:

• Candidates must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree preferably in Accounting/Finance related areas
• Some related commercial real estate work experience preferred, but not required