Press Release

Job and Life Skill Services at Launchpad Apartments to Create Opportunity for Homeless Youth CARMEL, Ind. (Nov. 29, 2023) – Leading financial services provider Merchants Capital today announced it has secured $23 million in total financing for the construction of Launchpad Apartments, a permanent supportive housing (PSH) development in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Launchpad is the first Transition Aged Youth (TAY) development in the primary market area (PMA) and part of a community effort to halt the cycle of homelessness. Cohen-Esrey Development Group (CEDG) partnered with nonprofit The PLACE to provide housing and services for youth experiencing homelessness, including assistance with job placement, life skills, counseling and healthcare. The 50-unit property will be restricted to TAY households earning 30% or less of the area median income (AMI), in addition to those aged 18 to 24 who are experiencing, or are at risk of, homelessness. Launchpad’s 50 units of supportive housing have the capability of resolving up to 69.4% of youth homelessness in El Paso County, Colorado, according to the 2023 Point in Time count of homelessness. Merchants Capital provided $10.9 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity for the project. Merchants Bank provided a $12.1 million construction bridge loan. Additional project funding includes $113,739 in 45L tax credit equity, $5.25 million in soft debt, $3.1 million in permanent debt and $300,000 in city fees rebates. The property will operate under a 20-year Section 8 housing assistance payment (HAP) contract covering 100% of the units. “It has been an honor to be part of an effort to protect at-risk youth, and we are proud to work alongside The PLACE and CEDG to bring this project to fruition,” said Linda L. Hill, Executive Vice President, Tax Credit Equity at Merchants Capital. “We launched our tax credit syndication platform back in 2020, and it’s been incredible to work alongside partners who share a passion and mission for making affordable housing a reality for all Americans. Launchpad Apartments serves as an important step towards this communal goal.” “Elevating people in diverse communities aligns with Merchants’ mission,” said Dwayne George, Executive Vice President, Agency Production at Merchants Capital. “We look forward to seeing the positive influence this project will have on the neighborhood and its residents.” Launchpad Apartments will sit in the “very walkable” neighborhood of Old Colorado City in western Colorado Springs. The site is adjacent to essential goods, employment opportunities and recreation areas. It is also 400 feet from the metro transit stop. “We are very proud to have the opportunity to partner with Merchants Capital on Launchpad,” said Lisa Sorensen, Development Director of Cohen-Esrey Development Group. “This collaboration is a testament to the power of community partnerships and their ability to affect positive change. Our shared vision is to provide young adults in need with more than just a roof over their heads – we're offering them a fresh start with Launchpad. We’d like to extend a special thank you to all our partners for helping make this a reality.” Launchpad Apartments is currently under construction and is set to be completed in October 2024. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Image Courtesy of Cohen-Esrey Development Group

CARMEL, Ind. (Nov. 27, 2023) – Leading financial services provider Merchants Capital today announced it has secured $17.4 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity financing for the new construction of Reserve on Park Place, an affordable senior property in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The property will bring 187 age- and income-restricted units to a high-demand area for affordable housing. "This project is emblematic of Merchants’ collaborative, full-service approach and commitment to affordable housing,” said Ben Trussell, Vice President of Acquisitions at Merchants Capital. “We are proud to provide a range of financing sources that support affordable housing development, particularly in closing funding gaps. We deeply value our partnership with Brown Capital Group, Leo Brown Group and Rogers Development Group." Developers Brown Capital Group, Leo Brown Group and Rogers Development Group bring significant multifamily and senior housing experience to Reserve on Park Place. Restricted to seniors aged 55 and older, the three-story low-rise property comprises 15 studio units, 136 one-bedroom units and 36 two-bedroom units limited to residents earning 40%, 60% and 80% of the area median income (AMI). The units are designed to support senior and special needs, with amenities that include handrails, grab bars, intercoms, limited access and video surveillance. “Given the numerous challenges amidst development projects, specifically in the affordable housing sector, Merchants Capital was an anchor in an unpredictable financing environment,” said Jarod Brown, CEO of Brown Capital Group. “We are delighted to bring affordable housing to an area which has such a high concentration of jobs for our future residents.” Reserve on Park Place will sit in a neighborhood among single-family and multi-family homes, with easy access to restaurants, hotels, a grocery store, a pharmacy and local businesses along State Route 1. Construction is expected to be completed in April 2025. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Reserve on Park Place image courtesy of R3B Architecture.

NEW YORK (Nov. 16, 2023) – The New York office of leading financial services provider Merchants Capital today announces it has provided more than $225 million in financing to support the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) Union Avenue Consolidated project in the Bronx, which involves a massive refinance and rehabilitation of seven properties. The PACT Union Avenue Consolidated project consists of seven affordable housing developments, 18 buildings and a total of 983 apartment units. Merchants Capital’s Freddie Mac Capital Markets Execution (CME) loan will be used to refinance the property and rehabilitate the units with building-wide improvement plans. The scope of work includes kitchen upgrades (counters, appliances, cabinets), plumbing improvements and common area maintenance. Additionally, the financing will provide extensive capital needs and repair costs ranging from heating infrastructure to building security improvements. The upgrades will also include the development and implementation of a social services program tailored to the individual needs of the Union Avenue community. Though all units will be modernized and upgraded, all apartments will maintain permanent affordability and preserve tenants’ rights and protections. Construction began in October 2023 and is expected to be completed by September 2025. To date, Merchants Capital has provided more than $1 billion in financing towards the PACT projects throughout New York City. Most recently, the firm provided $320 million to support comprehensive renovations at Edenwald Houses, the second-largest NYCHA property in the state. “Our continued contribution to the residents of New York City proves that the work to solidify and support affordable housing for all is never done,” said Mat Wambua, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, Agency Lending at Merchants Capital. “We once again appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with our public partners on these critical NYCHA PACT deals that are making a true difference in the lives of so many in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and other New York neighborhoods. Finding and securing innovative financing solutions that match the specific needs of our clients is what we do – our New York team’s creativity and expertise in structuring this intricate deal is a huge success.” The Bronx Housing Preservation Experience LLC is a joint venture by project sponsors The Arker Companies, SBV RE Investments LLC (formerly Omni NY) and Dabar Development Partners – all three accomplished leaders in the affordable housing, community development and real estate industries. Those parties, including Merchants Capital, bring extensive real estate experience in working with NYCHA through the collaboration on the NYCHA PACT Brooklyn Bundle II, an earlier project focused on major repairs and renovations for nine Brooklyn developments. Merchants Capital proudly worked alongside prominent affordable developers and industry partners for the Union Avenue Consolidated, including the aforementioned project sponsors, Nuveen, NYCHA, Freddie Mac, New York City Housing Department Corporation (NYCHDC), Sidley Austin LLP, Ballard Spahr LLP and Nixon Peabody. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

CARMEL, Ind. (Nov. 6, 2023) – Leading financial services provider Merchants Capital today announces it has secured a total of $184 million in Merchants direct seven-year loans for the refinancing of seven separate workforce housing properties located within Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. The deal was completed in partnership with Zidan Management Group (ZMG), a prominent Midwest-based multifamily operator and developer with more than 20 properties throughout the region. Properties to benefit from this refinancing include: Barton Farms Apartment Homes, Greenwood, Ind., 262 units Bexley Village, Greenwood, Ind., 276 units Creekside at Meadowbrook, Lowell, Ind., 192 units Tymberwood Trace Apartments, Louisville, Ky., 160 units Crestview Apartments, Louisville, Ky., 224 units Camelot East Apartments, Fairfield, Ohio, 492 units Meadow View Apartments & Townhomes, Springboro, Ohio, 180 units “Merchants Capital and ZMG have the shared goal of supporting and amplifying the affordable housing landscape here in the Midwest and its surrounding states,” said Merchants Capital Vice President, Originations Eddie Dietrick. “With more than 1,500 units in this portfolio, these properties represent immense opportunities for the future. This refinancing lays the groundwork for improving the ongoing ecosystem of each given community.” These seven workforce housing properties offer naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) with rent pricing affordable to households earning at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). “Merchants’ collaborative approach to mitigating execution risk allowed for a seamless process and closing(s),” said Zidan Management Group. “ZMG is committed to providing quality housing for all. With partners like Merchants Capital, ZMG is able to fulfill that commitment.” To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Image courtesy of Barton Farms, one of the seven properties involved in the deal.

CARMEL, Ind. (Oct. 2, 2023) – Leading financial services provider Merchants Capital announces today it has successfully completed a $303 million securitization of 11 multifamily housing loans via its fourth Freddie Mac-sponsored Q-Series transaction. The loans, ranging from $4 million to $62 million, were used for the acquisition or refinance of multifamily properties spanning eight states, with Florida, Indiana, Colorado and New Jersey making up 81% of the loan balance. Most of the properties are workforce housing developments, with a significant portion of the units’ composition comprising less than 80% of the area median income (AMI). This is Merchants’ fourth Freddie Mac Q transaction in the last two and a half years, totaling $1.1 billion in crucial real estate loans securitized nationwide. It is the second Q-Series transaction of 2023. Merchants has been the loan seller in four of the last nine Freddie Mac Q transactions, making Merchants Capital Freddie Mac’s largest Q-Series loan seller two years in a row. This news comes on the heels of a record-breaking year for the Capital Markets platform at Merchants, having executed its second and third Q-Series deals in 2022. Since its inception in 2020, the Capital Markets group has executed more than $3.5 billion in securitizations and accumulated more than $1 billion in loan purchases. “Executing on this securitization shows our strength and performance as a regional bank in this volatile financial climate,” said Evan Gibson, Merchants Capital’s Senior Vice President and head of Capital Markets. “In a down year for commercial real estate (CRE) securitizations, Merchants is completing complex securitizations to finance affordable housing in a responsible manner. We are proud to continue growing our relationship with Freddie Mac.” The transaction supports financing of affordable housing in underserved markets, qualifying as “Social Bonds” within the Social Bonds Framework published on Freddie Mac’s website. Proceeds from Social Bonds are used to provide liquidity to social impact financial institutions (community development financial institutions, housing finance agencies and small financial institutions), including parent company Merchants Bank of Indiana. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

NEW YORK (Aug. 18, 2023) – The New York office of leading financial services provider Merchants Capital today announces it has provided more than $320 million in financing to support comprehensive renovations at Edenwald Houses in The Bronx. The second largest New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) property in the state and the largest in The Bronx, Edenwald Houses dates back to the 1950s and currently provides affordable housing to more than 5,000 residents. “Maintaining the integrity of developments like Edenwald Houses is critical for the people of New York City, creating a haven where residents can forge their lives and futures in dignity,” said Mat Wambua, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, Agency Lending at Merchants Capital. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with our public partners, including NYCHA, HDC, HPD and Freddie Mac, on pivotal NYCHA Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) deals. Our goal as one of the nation’s top lenders is to provide innovative financing solutions that match the specific needs of our clients. Structuring this intricate deal is a testament to the creativeness of our New York originations team and our commitment as a firm to support developments of every caliber.” Merchants Capital secured a $320 million New York Housing Development Corporation (NYHDC) Freddie Mac Risk Share Loan on behalf of the property developer, Camber Property Group. The funds will support an intensive, four-year construction period to fully rehabilitate the property, one of New York City’s oldest housing developments. “The investment from Merchants Capital, Freddie Mac and the NYC Housing Development Corporation in Edenwald Houses will positively impact the lives of over 5,000 people,” said Rick Gropper, Principal at Camber Property Group. “Through our partnership with NYCHA, we will make the most of this opportunity, improving the complex and demonstrating what happens when people come together to preserve and elevate the affordable housing so many New Yorkers rely on. We are looking forward to putting these funds to good use and are grateful for Merchants Capital’s commitment to Edenwald Houses and the community it represents.” As part of the larger Edenwald Community Plan, the property will be registered on the New York state and national historic registries in an effort to unlock additional necessary funding through the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credit. Also, as a new development under the PACT program, Edenwald Houses will transition to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 program enabling supplemental federal funding. To date, Merchants has provided approximately $1 billion in financing towards more than 5,300 units as part of PACT projects throughout New York City. “We are very pleased to provide financing to support the transformation of Edenwald Houses, a historic property that plays an incredibly impactful role in this community,” said Stephen Johnson, Senior Vice President, Head of Production and Sales at Freddie Mac. “Working alongside Merchants Capital, Camber Property Group, and the New York Housing Development Corporation, Freddie Mac helped ensure that one of the largest affordable rental communities in the Bronx can remain home for more than 5,000 families. At Freddie Mac, everything we do is grounded in supporting affordability and equity in the rental market, and this transaction demonstrates the critical role our renovation financing can play to revitalize communities across the nation.” Over the last several years, Edenwald Houses residents, NYCHA and the PACT team worked collaboratively to identify the scope and design of the property’s renovation. Currently underway, the $530 million scope of work for property upgrades includes masonry and facade repairs, mechanical building modifications such as improved heating and cooling systems, elevators and solar panels, strengthened security through new surveillance systems and more. Merchants Capital proudly worked alongside notable industry partners, including project sponsors Camber Property Group, SAA | EVI and Henge Development in addition to NYHDC, Freddie Mac, JP Morgan Chase, Sidley Austin, Ballard Spahr LLP, and Nixon Peabody. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

CARMEL, Ind. (July 20, 2023) – Merchants Capital is pleased to announce the closing of Merchants Capital Tax Credit Equity Fund 15, L.P. (Merchants Fund 15). Merchants Fund 15 represents the company’s largest and most diverse national fund with a total capital raise of $196.5 million from 14 institutional investors, including 10 repeat and four new investors. Merchants Fund 15 will infuse equity into 19 affordable housing properties that will create or preserve more than 2,300 affordable homes in 13 states. “The successful closing of Merchants Fund 15 would not be possible without the unwavering support from an extraordinary partnership of developers, investors and the Merchants team, and our shared commitment to address the critical need for affordable housing across the United States,” said Ryan Thompson, Vice President of Syndications and Investor Relations at Merchants Capital. “Since launching our national equity platform in 2021, Merchants Capital has raised more than $800 million in tax credit equity and originated over $15 billion in debt to support multifamily housing across the United States,” said Julie Sharp, Executive Vice President of Merchants Capital. “This remarkable achievement has solidified Merchants Capital as an industry leader in affordable housing finance and is a testament to the strength of our team, the steadfast support of our investor and developer partners and the innovative platform we have built.” The closing of Merchants Fund 15 comes on the heels of Merchants Capital’s recent recognition by Affordable Housing Finance as the #2 largest lender for affordable housing in the United States. “We are proud to be at the forefront of affordable housing finance,” said Linda Hill, Executive Vice President at Merchants Capital. “We are incredibly grateful to the team that made this possible and the investors and developers who have entrusted us with the financing for key affordable housing projects throughout the United States.” The 19 properties included in Merchants Fund 15 are located in Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Colorado and California. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

NEW YORK (July 6, 2023) – The New York office of leading financial services provider Merchants Capital today announces it has secured $11 million in debt and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity financing for the construction of Cedarwood Homes in Pittsburgh, marking the firm’s continued expansion into new markets. The new-build property will bring 46 age- and income-restricted units to Fairywood, one of Pittsburgh’s most western neighborhoods. Together, Merchants Capital’s debt and equity teams secured an $11 million construction and equity bridge loan on behalf of the property developer, Tryko Partners. The funds will provide tax credit equity bridge financing to support construction development costs. “Securing the financing for this property represents a significant milestone for us at Merchants Capital,” said William Jones, Senior Vice President with Merchants Capital. “Since launching our tax credit syndication platform in 2021, we have been searching for projects that allow us to exercise our talents as a full-service lender. Cedarwood Homes granted us that opportunity, and it is also the first LIHTC-financed, senior affordable property in Pittsburgh’s West End in history. We are honored to have worked alongside several of the city’s top housing agencies on such an important property for the people of Pittsburgh.” Situated at the intersection of Broadhead Fording Road and Village Road, and at the former grounds of the Fairywood School, Cedarwood Homes will feature 46 one-bedroom apartments across 12 one-story buildings. Each unit will host a private, ground-floor entrance. In-unit amenities include a washer and dryer and modern, vinyl plank flooring. The property will also feature a community building with management offices, as well as a fitness center, meeting area, kitchen and multi-purpose space reserved for residents. All units at Cedarwood Homes will be age-restricted to individuals 62 years of age and older. Within the 46 total units, 39 units will be income-restricted, with five units reserved for residents earning 20% of the area median income (AMI), 19 for those earning 50% AMI and 15 for those earning 60% AMI. The remaining seven units will be offered at market rate. Merchants Capital was proud to work alongside Tryko Partners and together with Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) and Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). “The Cedarwood Homes housing development marks a milestone for the Fairywood neighborhood and its residents,” said Susheela Nemani Stanger, Executive Director of the URA. “After the neighborhood has experienced years of disinvestment, the URA seeks to set things right by beginning a new phase of development and reinvestment into this community. This starts by providing affordable and livable housing to its senior population. We want to thank Tryko Partners, Merchants Capital, HACP, PHFA and all other involved parties that made this project possible.” "We're proud to be working with Merchants Capital, the URA and PHFA to bring sorely needed affordable, senior citizen housing to the West End," said Caster D. Binion, HACP Executive Director. "Funding from HACP's Project Based Voucher/ Gap Financing program is supporting innovative affordable housing developments like Cedarwood Homes in neighborhoods throughout the city, as we continue to use every tool at our discretion in order to meet the growing demand for affordable housing."  Upon completion of construction, Cedarwood Homes will certify to the 2020 Enterprise Green Communities criteria and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home Program, which indicates the units will be designed and built at a high performance to ensure maximum energy efficiency and savings. The property is set to debut Spring 2024. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Property rendering courtesy of Tryko Partners.

NEW YORK (June 6, 2023) – Leading financial services provider Merchants Capital announces the hiring of Min Park as Senior Vice President, Balance Sheet Construction. Park joins the firm’s New York office, which recently celebrated another year of record-breaking success, having closed more than $1.3 billion in debt financing in 2022. Park brings more than two decades of real estate finance and construction asset management experience to the role, having most recently served as a director at Citi Community Capital. While Merchants originates multifamily and affordable loans on a national scale, strengthening the company’s local presence in the New York market enables better decision making and customer service in this fast-growing region. Min Park “Many companies tout their production numbers, and rightfully so, but Merchants is also proud to celebrate the accomplishments and evolution of our loan servicing team who continue to provide superior service to our clients and investors as we’ve scaled the platform,” said Brian Sullivan, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Merchants Capital. “The leadership team has grown through a mix of in-house talent and selective outside hires when the right person is available. Min was clearly the right fit from an experience and cultural standpoint, and we can’t wait to see the impact she’ll have on our team.” Recently, the firm surpassed $20 billion in unpaid principal balance in its servicing portfolio. With this growth, Merchants continues to strengthen its asset management team and technology platform to be best in class. Park will lend her expertise to the construction lending team to proactively oversee and manage risk nationally for the firm’s institutional investors, including parent company Merchants Bank of Indiana. In addition to her prior role at Citi Community Capital, Park also served at Hypo Real Estate Capital Corporation and Equity Office Properties. She holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and earned her Master of Science in Real Estate Finance and Investments from the Schack Institute of Real Estate at New York University. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

CARMEL, Ind. (May 10, 2023) – Leading financial services provider Merchants Capital proudly announces the success and growth of its Capital Markets platform, led by Senior Vice President Evan Gibson. Since its inception in 2020, the group has executed over $3 billion in securitizations and has accumulated over $900 million in assets under management. The platform focuses on providing liquidity and capital relief for parent company Merchants Bank of Indiana, to support growth in its direct bridge and construction lending. As a result of successfully executing on this strategy, the Capital Markets team has evolved into creating proprietary permanent debt solutions that supplement Merchants Capital’s balance sheet and agency lending product offerings. Gibson started the Capital Markets group in March 2020, and the team has since grown to seven who work out of the company’s Carmel and New York offices. Notable hires included Vice Presidents Dean Ramsamooj and Darren King in 2021 and 2022, respectively. On March 30, the Capital Markets team, alongside leading seniors housing and healthcare lender VIUM Capital and structuring agent and sole bookrunner ATLAS SP Partners, closed a private synthetic securitization of over $1.1 billion of first-lien floating-rate skilled nursing and seniors housing bridge loans. Merchants Capital will continue to service these loans. Merchants Bank of Indiana issued and sold $158 million aggregate principal balance of Senior Credit Linked Notes, representing approximately 14% of the reference pool. The resulting reduction in risk weighted assets for this pool of loans supports further growth and lending capacity at Merchants Capital and VIUM Capital. This synthetic securitization comes just six months after closing a securitization of $1.2 billion in multifamily bridge loans in September 2022. "Having the opportunity to lead our growing Capital Markets group is an honor, and I am proud of the impact our team has had across the Merchants platform in just our third year of operation,” said Gibson. “Our role in creating innovative solutions directly contributes to the success of the Merchants lending platform and supports the firm’s status as an industry leader in financing both multifamily through Merchants Capital, and healthcare through its partnership with VIUM Capital. This integrated platform is unique in the industry and allows us to continue servicing our clients from coast to coast with an increasing array of solutions and capacity.” In 2021, the Capital Markets group closed its first Freddie Mac Q-Series transaction, a $262 million deal that securitized 15 workforce housing loans for properties across the nation, supporting the preservation of critical housing infrastructure. In 2022, the group executed on its second and third Q-Series deals, a program that Merchants Capital expects to continue to leverage with Freddie Mac in the future. Both 2022 Q-Series transactions were designated by Freddie Mac Multifamily for their Social Bonds program, which has a framework validated through Sustainalytics’ second-party opinion. These transactions have helped define criteria for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) qualifying investments in affordable multifamily. “The growth of our Capital Markets group has been instrumental in our ability to lead the industry as one of the nation’s top multifamily financing providers,” said Brian Sullivan, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Merchants Capital. “The maturation of the platform in just three years is a true testament to the work ethic and ingenuity of Evan, Dean, Darren and the team. This group has transformed the possibilities of our lending platform, widening our reach in the market and working towards our larger goal of increasing access to safe, high-quality housing for individuals and families nationwide.” To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.