Cohen Financial

About Cohen Financial

In 1978, a playbook for what would become a major player in commercial real estate finance began to take shape. Buddy Cohen founded Cohen Financial in Chicago, establishing a firm that would grow into a diversified real estate capital services company. The company wasn't just another lender; it built its reputation on a broad range of services, including debt and equity placement, loan servicing, and investment services. This multi-faceted approach allowed it to navigate the complexities of the real estate market effectively. The firm's journey took a significant turn when it was acquired by SunTrust Banks, operating as a division within the larger financial institution. This move integrated Cohen Financial's specialized real estate expertise with the broader resources of a national bank. The story evolved again following the merger of SunTrust and BB&T, which formed Truist Financial. In September 2020, Truist announced the sale of Cohen Financial's loan servicing and asset management platform to SitusAMC. The deal involved the transfer of a significant portfolio, including approximately 6,900 loans with an unpaid balance of over $34 billion, and more than 120 employees. While Truist retained the debt advisory and placement part of the business, rebranding it under its Grandbridge Real Estate Capital division, the sale marked the end of an era for the Cohen Financial brand, absorbing its servicing operations into the SitusAMC fold.