Press Release

CARMEL, Ind. – Mortgage banking company Merchants Capital today announces that it has provided a three-year bridge loan for Centennial Aspen, a 148-unit workforce housing complex located in Aspen, Colorado. The acquisition of the project is financed through Merchants Bank of Indiana (MBI) on behalf of Birge & Held Asset Management, which currently owns and manages over 11,000 apartment units across the country, with offices in Indianapolis, Ind. and Denver, Colo. Merchants Capital Corp. intends to further provide long-term, permanent financing for the project either through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac’s preservation platforms or through a syndication of new tax credits via Fannie, Freddie or HUD. Located at the base of Smugger Mountain at 100 Luke Short Ct., Centennial Aspen was built in 1986 and designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. The property was built with a Land Use Restriction Agreement (LURA) that required 100% of the rental units to be used for workforce housing. In Aspen, Colorado, the average household and median income are both higher than the state of Colorado as a whole. This creates an environment where the cost of living is higher in this area than others in the state, contributing to higher housing costs. Under the LURA, Centennial Aspen’s units are rented to residents with incomes ranging from 50% to 120% of the area’s median income (AMI). “Centennial Aspen serves true workforce residents who might otherwise be unable to live in a high-cost city such as Aspen,” said Merchants Capital Vice President Eddie Dietrick. “We’re honored to provide this bridge loan which furthers our mission of providing high quality, affordable housing options across the country in critical job centers.” The 11-building, three-story multifamily property features studio, one, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Apartment amenities include exterior entrances, an exterior storage unit and electric heat, while community amenities include an onsite laundry facility and office, a playground and assigned parking spaces. “Birge & Held is very excited about the acquisition of Centennial Apartments, as it is a perfect match with our workforce housing portfolio in one of the most unique markets in the country,” said Birge & Held President and Co-Owner Andrew Held. “Merchants Capital has been a great partner of ours for decades, and understands the need for supporting affordable housing in markets like Aspen.” The workforce housing option is conveniently located near local grocery stores, pharmacies and ski resort options, and residents can take a 15-minute walk or utilize the free RFTA bus to travel into downtown. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

CARMEL, Ind.  – Mortgage banking company Merchants Capital has secured $57 million in financing through a HUD 221(d)(4) loan for 4th & Race, a mixed-use multifamily apartment complex coming to downtown Cincinnati in 2021. The 40-year HUD 221(d)(4) new construction loan was secured on behalf of Flaherty & Collins Properties. Currently under development, the 4th & Race project will be a 264-unit market rate multifamily property. The new construction loan represents the multifamily component of a larger development that will also include approximately 20,000 square feet of retail space, in addition to a five-story parking garage that will be available to multifamily residents and the public. The project is scheduled to open in the first half of 2021. The project was designed and is being built to qualify for the National Green Building Standards Certification, which in turn qualifies the mortgage for HUD’s green MIP program.  Standard construction projects built with HUD 221(d)(4) financing require 65 basis points of initial and annual MIP payments.  With green MIP, this project only has to pay 25 basis points in MIP initially and annually, creating 40 basis points in annual savings for the developer. The multifamily complex represents a true public-private partnership, as Flaherty & Collins Properties worked concurrently with the City of Cincinnati, the Port Authority of Greater Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp (3CDC) to bring this project to life. “We are proud to partner with Flaherty & Collins Properties and all other participating parties by providing the construction and permanent financing for this new project,” said Merchants Capital Vice President Eddie Dietrick. “We look forward to opening this multifamily, luxury property for Cincinnati residents in 2021.” The residential portion of the project being financed by Merchants Capital will sit on top of the parking and retail components. The parking and retail structure were under construction during the processing of the HUD closing, and Merchants Capital worked together with Flaherty & Collins Properties to time the closing date so the construction teams could flow seamlessly from the garage construction to the residential construction. “With best in class amenities, panoramic views and a prime location in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, 4th & Race will contribute to the success of downtown Cincinnati and the west 4th Street corridor,” said Flaherty & Collins Properties Principal and Vice President of Development Jim Crossin. “We are thankful to Merchants Capital for its creative thinking and perseverance in delivering the financing to this complex transaction. We are excited to complete this project and welcome residents.” Other amenities of 4th & Race include 8,000 square feet of outdoor space, a 6,000-square-foot indoor amenity area, and a sky deck with views of downtown and the Ohio River. For residents, the outdoor space features, a pool, grilling stations and seating areas, while the indoor amenities include a fitness center, yoga room, gaming area and club room for residents and their guests. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

NEW YORK – Mortgage banking company Merchants Capital has secured $35.4 million in agency funding for a 133-unit multifamily transitional housing facility located on Jamaica Avenue in the Queens neighborhood of New York City. The project – known as Jamaica Apartments – is at the forefront of New York City’s asserted strategy for contending with and eradicating homelessness. The seven-year agency funding and immediate Freddie Mac Optigo® Targeted Affordable Housing Capital Markets Execution (TAH-CME) cash loan was secured on behalf of Freddie Mac and Bayrock Capital. This transaction represented another opportunity for Merchants Capital and Freddie Mac to establish themselves as a key counterparty and partner in financing multifamily shelters that serve New York City’s homeless population. In 2019, Freddie Mac and Merchants Capital worked together to provide $51 million in agency funding for another transitional housing facility, 267 Rogers. “A project of this magnitude and significance, especially during the COVID-19 crisis, is needed now more than ever,” said Merchants Capital Vice President Michael Milazzo. “The Right to Shelter obligation, which provides safe, multifamily housing with no required tenant contributions for homeless New Yorkers, is crucial as many Americans are out of work or otherwise struggling financially throughout these unprecedented times.” All residents of Jamaica Apartments are given access to social services and mental health counseling, as well as education and career training to help them get back on their feet. Each unit has its own private bathroom and kitchen. The two-building property was effectively built as a 133-unit multifamily development that partnered with the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to offer transitional housing to homeless families. The entire property offers truly affordable housing, as 100% of the units are reserved for transitional housing. In April 2016, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a major restructuring of the way homeless services in New York City are delivered. The city plans to open approximately 20 new multifamily transitional housing shelters annually over the next five years to reach its goal of opening approximately 90 new shelters. Jamaica Apartments represents one of the multifamily transitional housing shelters that New York City is utilizing to eradicate homelessness in the future. Others involved in the project include CORE, a community-based, non-profit human services organization whose mission is to empower individuals, families and communities to live productive lives, and Brook Hollow Capital, a boutique mortgage brokerage based in Mahwah, New Jersey, which helped to manage the closing process. To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Carmel-based mortgage banking company Merchants Capital today announces that President and CEO Michael Dury was selected by the Junior Achievement of Central Indiana as Indy’s Best and Brightest in the category of banking and financial services. Dury was recognized for his notable professional accomplishments in his career, his impact on the Indianapolis community and his overall commitment to leadership. Following graduation from Notre Dame University in 2007, Dury was named Vice President of Merchants Capital and rose through the ranks as one of the youngest executives in the history of the company. In 2017, shortly after the Merchants initial public offering (IPO) and merger with RICHMAC Funding, Dury was named President of Merchants Capital, and three years later, was promoted to CEO at the age of 35. Under Dury’s leadership, Merchants Capital became one of the top mortgage lenders in the country. In 2018, the company was named No. 10 on the Top 25 U.S. Affordable Lenders list by Affordable Housing Finance. Additionally, Dury is one of the top loan originators nationwide. His personal loan production value is on par with some of the top lending firms in the U.S., with $6.4 billion in total loan production since 2010. Dury has also greatly impacted the surrounding community with the Merchants MPACT (Positively Advancing Communities Together) program. The program is focused on advancing affordable housing, connecting people in their communities, promoting and improving education and financial literacy, and stimulating economic development within local communities. “I am elated that Mike was selected as Indy’s Best and Brightest, as I chose Mike to personally mentor at the start of his career in 2007. I’ve seen him grow and thrive so quickly in this industry, and he is incredibly deserving of this honor,” said Michael F. Petrie, Merchants Bancorp Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO. “Mike is a highly respected champion in multifamily finance, a distinguished and accomplished colleague at Merchants Capital, and a proven innovator in developing new solutions within the industry.” The Indy’s Best and Brightest Award was created by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana to recognize up-and-coming talent and the next generation of leaders in the Indianapolis area. The event honors 100 of central Indiana’s most outstanding young professionals, age 40 and under, across 10 different industries. All 100 finalists in each category are judged on professional accomplishments, civic contributions, character and leadership qualities. At the awards program, which took place on March 11 at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, 10 outstanding individuals received additional recognition as Indy’s best from their respective categories. For a complete list of winners and finalists, visit www.indysbestandbrightest.org. ###

NEW YORK – Mortgage banking company, Merchants Capital, has provided $375 million in financing on behalf of a joint venture between Omni New York LLC (“Omni”), The Arker Companies (“Arker”), Dabar Development Partners (“Dabar”), and Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (“Restoration”) to purchase and complete major renovations for more than 2,600 units scattered across nine Brooklyn developments, referred to as the NYCHA Brooklyn Megabundle (“PACT Brooklyn Bundle II”). In 2018, the Mayor’s Office and the New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) released NYCHA 2.0, a comprehensive 10-year, $24.4BB plan to preserve NYC’s public housing, through capital investments which ensure residents have the safe, quality, and affordable homes they deserve. The cornerstone of NYCHA 2.0 is NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (“PACT”) Preservation Initiative. PACT focuses on leveraging HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (“RAD”), as well as other Section 8 programs, to marshal private debt and equity investment in NYC’s public housing stock. PACT Brooklyn Bundle II consists of a nine-development portfolio, with 2,625 units, located across Brooklyn. As part of its PACT Initiative, NYCHA issued an RFP for qualified applicants to finance, rehab, and manage this portfolio, which represents the largest preservation transaction executed to date under NYCHA’s PACT Initiative. The joint venture partnership between Omni, Arker, Dabar and Restoration was selected as the recipient of this RFP. The highly structured financing, crafted by the New York City Housing Development Corporation (“NYCHDC”), Freddie Mac and Merchants Capital in a collaborative effort, consists of a straight-to-permanent NYCHDC Freddie Mac Risk Share loan of approximately $375,000,000, which will fund the acquisition, rehabilitation and recapitalization of the property. The landmark NYCHA PACT transaction will benefit more than 6,300 residents by providing comprehensive upgrades to 2,625 apartments and common areas, including the complete renovation of residential unit interiors, installation of security systems, vital site improvements, common area improvements, community facility improvements, building exterior improvements, and replacement of building systems, as well as extensive electrical, mechanical and plumbing upgrades. The transaction will support the development, management and social service plans for nine developments: Armstrong I, Armstrong II, Weeksville Gardens, Berry Street-South 9th Street, Marcy Avenue-Greene Avenue Site A, Marcy Avenue-Greene Avenue Site B, 572 Warren Street, Independence Towers, and Williams Plaza. “Growing up in NYCHA Nathan Straus Houses, this transaction had a much deeper meaning – it brings me such joy to be able to provide quality housing to those who need it most, and to be able to work with people in this industry who are so proud and dedicated to working towards this same goal,” said Jessica Cherepski, Merchants Capital Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriter on the deal. “We’re honored to be a part of the team that closed this transaction which, beyond being historic, will affect meaningful change for thousands of deserving residents,” said Mathew Wambua, Merchants Capital Vice Chairman and Leading Originator on the deal. “Our gratitude is immeasurable and extends to our clients, Omni and Arker, as well as the innumerable parties and individuals who made this possible.” “Merchants Capital’s extensive lending expertise sets them apart,” said Eugene Schneur, Managing Director at Omni New York LLC. “We are deeply committed to guaranteeing local communities thrive and being part of the NYCHA Brooklyn PACT bundle is a perfect chance to support local Brooklyn neighborhoods, allowing communities to enjoy improved homes for generations.” “We are proud and excited to get to work on these critical repairs and bring modern amenities to the thousands of residents in the Brooklyn PACT bundle,” said Arker Companies Principal Daniel Moritz. “The NYCHA PACT program puts the community first and sets a new standard for preserving affordable housing for New Yorkers. Our hope is that this new partnership will improve the quality of life for residents and open up even more opportunities for their families.” “Together we are breathing new life into affordable housing developments that serve thousands of Brooklyn residents,” said Michael Patterson, Vice President of Underwriting and Credit at Freddie Mac Multifamily. “Freddie Mac is proud to have worked with our partners at Merchants, Arker, Omni and in city government to bring about this historic transaction, which brought out the best in each of the teams involved. This is an agreement that values communities, ensures residents have safe and modern housing and, most importantly, it preserves affordability where it is needed most.” To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Mortgage banking company Merchants Capital recently structured the permanent financing for Goddard Riverside Community Center’s Phelps House, a 169-unit affordable housing complex for seniors, located at 595 Columbus Ave. (at 88th Street), to help secure the financial future of the property. Phelps House has historically provided – and through the success of this transaction will continue to offer – affordable, subsidized housing and services for low-income older adults in one of the most expensive and prestigious neighborhoods of New York City: the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The property also houses the Goddard Riverside offices and a full-service Senior Center which serves residents from the surrounding community. This long-term financing will enable the owner to keep the units affordable to tenants, while also continuing to provide them with quality housing by making capital improvements, including plumbing and accessibility upgrades. Additionally, the financing will extend the affordability period and subsidy term by a minimum of 20 years to ensure continued operations of the highest standard in the long term, in accordance with the Goddard’s mission to provide high quality senior services to their residents. This Freddie Mac and New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Risk Share financing vehicle benefits Goddard, one of the oldest non-profit/social services providers in the city. “The Phelps House transaction exemplifies the type of mission-driven preservation of affordable housing that we love to be a part of,” said Merchants Capital Vice Chairman Mathew Wambua. “We are grateful to Goddard for their vision and commitment to community, and we are deeply appreciative to HDC, Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), Freddie Mac, and Rockabill Consulting for their partnership. Merchants Capital is proud to have been a participant in assisting the operating of a pillar of the community such as Goddard Riverside.” Last year, more than 22,000 New Yorkers took part in the wide range of activities offered by Goddard.  The agency’s programs range from early childhood education and school-based/after school-based programs, to providing over 540 units of permanent housing with on-site supportive services. Goddard also provides outreach with extensive aid to people living with mental illness and those who are experiencing homelessness, as well as assistance to older adults and those with mobility impairments. “Goddard Riverside’s goal is to invest in people and strengthen the community, and older adults are a key part of that picture. Goddard will be able to continue providing high-quality housing at an affordable price for them,” said Goddard Riverside Executive Director, Roderick L. Jones, Ed.D. “The new resources will allow Goddard to enhance efforts to ensure those most in need are helped.” “Rockabill is grateful for our longtime partnership with Goddard Riverside Community Center, and for the opportunity to assist with their affordable housing preservation and development goals,” said Niall Murray, Managing Principal of Rockabill Consulting and Development. “This transformative deal was the result of a strong and committed group from Goddard Riverside, Merchants Capital, Freddie Mac, HUD, HPD, and HDC working to ensure this vital Upper West Side senior housing remains affordable and viable in the long term. Through the forward-thinking initiative of the Goddard Riverside staff and board of directors, Phelps House will continue to house low-income seniors in the community for years to come.”

NEW YORK (Feb. 18, 2020) – Mortgage banking company Merchants Capital today announces the hiring of Evan Gibson as Vice President of Debt Strategies. Gibson brings with him a diverse background in capital markets and commercial real estate to Merchants Capital. Most recently, Gibson served as the head of a direct lending platform for a top HUD lender, with a focus on health care and multifamily asset classes, which included both value-add and stabilized properties. Gibson is a graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in mathematics. In his new position, Gibson will lead Merchants Capital’s Debt Strategies group, which will focus on developing both bridge and permanent debt solutions outside of the typical balance sheet and agency landscape. Based in the company’s New York City office, Gibson will work collaboratively with Merchants’ originations, credit and capital markets teams to roll out these new solutions to clients. “When we look around an increasingly competitive agency lending marketplace, our company needs to continue to find ways to deliver innovative products to our customers,” said Brian Sullivan, COO of Merchants Capital. “Evan’s deep experience and key contacts will support the growth of this new channel, giving our producers more tools in their kit to find industry leading solutions for their clients.” Gibson is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, where he was a Team Leader at 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. In 2009 he deployed to Now Zad in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province as both a Reconnaissance Marine and Scout Sniper. “I’ve been fortunate to see all sides of multifamily and health care agency execution, which has taught me just how critical the need is for innovative approaches to these deals in the marketplace. I am looking forward to developing the unique alternatives that will be key to our growth,” Gibson said. “The team at Merchants shares my vision to lead the industry with the client’s needs first in mind.” To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

NEW YORK (Jan. 29, 2020) – Mortgage banking company Merchants Capital has secured $40.9 million in refinancing for The Tapestry, a 12-story gateway residential building in the heart of Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. The financing has two components: a $35.4 million Freddie Mac Credit Enhancement and a $5.5 million cash loan. Both the fixed-rate credit enhancement and supplemental aspect were secured on behalf of Jonathan Rose Companies and Lettire Construction Corporation. The Tapestry was originally financed in 2008 through a combination of Freddie Mac credit-enhanced, variable-rate and tax-exempt private activity bonds, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and additional subsidized mortgage financing through the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. This transaction effectively changes the mode of the underlying HDC variable-rate bonds to fixed-rate bonds. Additionally, a cash tail component was incorporated to provide proceeds to pay swap breakage fees and cover associated transaction costs. By doing so, the borrower will replace the costly in-place loan with a much more favorably priced structure. “This deal’s successful execution represents opportunities on multiple fronts for Merchants Capital, Jonathan Rose, Freddie Mac and HDC,” said Merchants Capital Vice Chairman Mathew Wambua. “Jonathan Rose is one of New York City’s premier and most prolific affordable mixed-income developers, and we are proud to have assisted them in executing this complex yet sound affordable multifamily transaction,” said Merchants Capital Vice President Michael Milazzo. Located at 245 E. 124th St. at the foot of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, The Tapestry is part of the 125th Street Corridor Rezoning, a multi-agency effort to infuse the area with cultural, retail, entertainment and residential uses. The 185-unit, mixed-income rental building sets 50% of the apartments aside for market-rate tenants; 30% of the apartments for middle-Income tenants with rents set at 130% of the area median income (AMI); and 20% of the apartments for low-income tenants with rents set at 40% and 50% of AMI. Additionally, The Tapestry features about 7,000 feet of ground-floor retail space, consisting of five commercial spaces. “Jonathan Rose Companies is proud to partner with Merchants on this customized financing solution,” said Nicholas Maloney, Associate Director of Jonathan Rose Companies. “Their decades of multifamily industry experience and housing industry knowledge were clear from inquiry to closing, and we are excited to continue our work in revitalizing the 125th Street Corridor and providing transient oriented, environmentally friendly housing.” To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

CARMEL, Ind. (Jan. 20, 2020) – Mortgage banking company Merchants Capital has secured $59 million in financing for Bottleworks District, a mixed-use project coming to Indianapolis’ North Mass Ave. corridor in September 2020. The fully funded, three-year Merchants Bank of Indiana New Construction Loan was secured on behalf of Hendricks Commercial Properties. As the Bottleworks development reimagines the Coca-Cola bottling plant, part of the financing involves Indiana Industrial Recovery Tax Credits. Known as the DINO tax credit, these credits provide an incentive for companies to invest in former industrial facilities requiring significant rehabilitation or remodeling expenses. “This transaction is a bit outside our box, and it’s very impressive that our team – including Kate Belser, Ryan Thompson and Daniel Dixon – were able to identify risks, mitigants, structure tweaks and more to ultimately help us execute this financing,” said Matt Kaercher, Merchants Capital senior vice president and leading originator on the deal. “Bottleworks is a banner project for the city of Indianapolis and one Merchants Capital can say it had a hand in forever.” Bottleworks will serve as a culinary, arts, and entertainment hub, featuring the city’s first food hall, a boutique hotel, unique residential options, as well as 180,000 square feet of flexible office space and 175,000 square feet of prime retail space. “Hendricks is proud to partner with Merchants to bring Bottleworks District – a fusion of past and present in the heart of historic neighborhoods – to Indianapolis,” said Mark Koziol, chief financial officer at Hendricks Commercial Properties. “Our $300 million, 12-acre urban mixed-use development is the largest private development of its kind in Indiana, and we can’t wait to see it come to life in fall 2020.” To learn more about Merchants Capital and its services, visit www.merchantscapital.com or find Merchants Capital on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Manhattan office of the mortgage firm Merchants Capital has secured more than $37 million in funding for three supportive housing developments in New York City utilizing the Freddie Mac Unfunded Forward Commitment. “Merchants Capital was able to structure exceedingly beneficial terms on several developments this year by providing 35- and 40-year amortization,” said Ben Levine, Senior Vice President of Merchants Capital. “Given the high cost of development in New York City, this loan structure can be an important tool to provide gap funding for both preservation and new construction projects. We are pleased to offer an extended amortization loan product that has been well received by our valued counterparties at Freddie Mac and New York City HPD. ” The redevelopment of T-Building, formerly the Triboro Hospital for Tuberculosis, will provide 200 units of supportive housing for special needs and homeless tenants, as well as affordable housing for low- to moderate-income households in the heart of Jamaica, Queens. The forward commitment of $21 million in permanent financing was secured on behalf of affordable housing developer Dunn Development Corp. T-Building stands out as being the largest 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocation ever made in New York City. Woodlawn Senior Living is a new 80-unit, age-restricted property located in the Woodlawn neighborhood of the Bronx. The property will provide community space including space designed for tenant-based services. All of the units at Woodlawn Senior Living will be reserved for low-income tenants, with 30 units specifically reserved for formerly homeless residents. The development has been designed to be exceptionally energy efficient and will meet Passive House standards. Merchants Capital secured $10.5 million in funding on behalf of RiseBoro Community Partnership, Inc. Castleton Supportive Housing is a ground-up, 48-unit midrise property located in Staten Island. The ground floor of the development will include a 2,000-square-foot community center to provide services to the local community including financial counseling, public benefits, health education, tutoring, family and legal services, and a food pantry. Castleton Supportive Housing will have 31 units reserved for formerly homeless tenants who will also receive rental assistance via NY 15/15, a New York rental subsidy program. Merchants Capital secured $5.5M in funding on behalf of The Hudson Companies and Project Hospitality.