Benson Thomas Email & Phone Number

New York, Ny, Us

New York, New York, United States

Lead the delivery of Ratings Data & Research (RDR) product and content strategy for the Structured Finance sector, working closely with colleagues in Fitch Ratings and Fitch Solutions. The RDR team represents the voice of the customer in relation to the content, products and services we deliver to these target markets.https://www.fitchsolutions.com/credit/about-us

New York, New York, United States

Senior resource to provide guidance, improve analysis, process, criteria and models, manage staff, and committee chairperson. SME / lead BA for Fitch CMBS surveillance data & analytics initiatives and managing data relationships. Team lead for Fitch's CMBS Portal*.* Efforts recognized via Fitch's ACE Award / Value Beyond Ratings (Feb. 2023)

Greater New York City Area

SME / Lead BA / Solutions Architect - for Fitch CMBS surveillance, data & analytics initiatives. *Focused on developing analytical tools to improve process, data integrity, and future web product. Communicate business needs / process / KPI's and provide oversight of projects with internal teams (Model Development, Operations, Technology, Product), and external third party teams. Assist in managing new and existing data relationships for the team. Proactively identify where data may add value to the investment thesis, and assist in presenting the investment business case to executive management. Fitch AI / Data Pioneers (2019-2020): Member of cross sector working group exploring alternative data set providers and potential AI/ML solutions.Developed portfolio screener and manage group review process.* Efforts recognized via Fitch's Analytical Contribution & Excellence (ACE) Award [2019-2020] // Category: Value Beyond Ratings----------COVID19 Response - Partner with model development and operation teams to develop solutions to help streamline Coronavirus pandemic sensitivities and batch processing for CMBS surveillance. Lead analyst for bulk review process presenting data and rating recommendations. Co-authored special report "U.S. CMBS Conduit Coronavirus Review" - Fitch Ratings (June 9, 2020). * Efforts rcognized via Fitch's ACE Award [2020-2021] // Category: Execution-------------Senior resource to the CMBS surveillance team, providing guidance and training on CRE analysis, process, criteria, and models. Review analytical approach and rating recommendations. Assist in management including strategy, direct reports and hiring decisions.Lead analysis for portfolio signaling through bulk Rating Alerts / Outlook Revisions reviews. Assist in updates to surveillance models. Manage testing and communicating changes to the group.Provide data and analysis to aid in regulatory inquiries, and contribute to team research, criteria, and model development.

Greater New York City Area

Active monitoring of a portfolio of CMBS transactions, including multiborrower, SASB, wireless tower. Discuss deal / collateral with stake holders including servicers, investors, and issuers. Present rating recommendations via committee, and publish rating action commentaries and in depth surveillance performance reports.Assist in the new deal ratings process through corresponding with issuers, cash flow analysis, site inspections, and drafting pre-sale reports.

Debt asset management for LiiF's East Coast portfolio of affordable housing and community facility loans. Debt structures include tax credits, acquisition, predevelopment, construction and permanent debt. Management of non-performing loans impacted by the Great Financial Crisis/ economic downturn, working closely with institutional borrowers / non-profits, and internal risk in the assessment of a feasible workout strategy.---------------The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) is non-profit CDFI that mobilizes capital and partners to achieve opportunity, equity and well-being for people and communities.LIIF innovates financial solutions that center racial equity to create more equitable outcomes for all by building and preserving affordable homes, quality educational opportunities from early childhood through higher education, health clinics, healthy food retail and community facilities. In this way, LIIF provides a bridge between private capital markets and communities.

Real Estate

Origination's - North American CRE Lending:Valuation and pricing analysis of structured commercial real estate transactions, including senior loans, subordinate loans and preferred equity, across all major asset types secured by single assets and portfolios, ranging from $15MM - $1BN.

Origination's / CRE LendingLoan origination, underwriting, and deal structuring support for Key relationship managers.

CMBS / CRE Surveillance Group

- Merrill Lynch / US Gov Repo Trading Desk - Analyst (2001-2002)- UBS Warburg / Fixed Income Sales & Trading - Internship (Summer 2000)- Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette / Mid Office Risk Reporting, Trading - Internship (1999)- Sumitomo Bank / Operations, Trade Verification - Internship (1998)