Brian Pollack Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Greater Chicago Area

As CEO, I drive strategic growth and operational excellence while managing a $265M portfolio and enterprise operations for CIMC Capital. My responsibilities include overseeing sales, credit, operations, finance, and audits. Leading a 10-member team, I liaise with the Board of Directors and parent company executives to maximize value and total addressable market.► Business & P&L Growth• Under my leadership, our profitability multiplied 250% as I expanded our asset finance portfolio from $95M to $265M+.• My strategic pivot from captive lessor to independent portfolio lender targeted large, structured transactions just outside banks' credit boundaries.• Leveraging my network of market-leading banks, I closed 11 transactions for $141M in syndicated loans, boosting our bottom line.• Through my efforts, our existing captive business grew 230% as I closed 75 transactions for $105M in direct lending.• My initiatives positioned our company as an industry thought leader, winning trust as a go-to source for insights on trends, capital markets, and current events.► Operational Excellence• To align with our new strategy, I modernized our business infrastructure by overhauling the business model, operational framework, procedures, and policies.• Leading a full restructuring, I recreated our operations, credit, portfolio, accounting, and legal functions.• By selecting, negotiating, and deploying new technologies, I enhanced efficiency and compliance in finance, portfolio, audit, and accounting management.• My implementation of an electronic records system enabled more accurate reporting.► Organizational Leadership• To manage the strategy change and book transactions effectively, I personally upskilled our leadership team and staff.• Cultural differences between our company and Chinese ownership were successfully bridged through my leadership.• Comprehensive risk management strategies I developed and executed protected our portfolio and ensured compliance.

Greater Chicago Area

As Credit Officer for Bank of America Global Leasing, the largest US equipment financing company, I led the lease and loan structuring, underwriting, and credit process for equipment financing by large corporate US and international clients. My role involved navigating the most complex deals in the market, showcasing my expertise in high-stakes financial environments.► Within my 5-year tenure, I prescreened, structured, and underwrote $600M in annual asset-based transactions, spanning domestic and international equipment leases and loans ranging from $2M to $200M+. ► To enhance performance metrics across our global portfolio, I optimized the management of a diverse, complex $1B+ (on average) portfolio of customer lease schedules worldwide. I oversaw credit actions including new origination structuring, modifications, renewals, exposure increases, risk ratings, annual reviews, and compliance, ensuring robust risk management and regulatory adherence.► As the foundation for strategic growth, I developed a comprehensive approach to analyzing international corporations and complex legal entity structures, enabling more accurate risk assessment and facilitating business expansion in the global equipment financing market.► Focusing on operational excellence, I drove performance optimization, such as the coordination with global bank departments, which supports efficient deal execution and cross-border transactions across various asset classes including transportation, manufacturing, IT equipment, rail, marine, material handling, aircraft, and yellow iron.► In recognition of my "above and beyond" contributions to the Sales Team, I was presented with the Top Performer Award by the National Sales Manager, underscoring my ability to blend risk management with business development in a major financial institution.

Greater Chicago Area

As Senior Credit Analyst and Portfolio Manager for Citizens Bank's Equipment Finance & Leasing division, I have driven strategic initiatives and executed comprehensive analysis of high-stakes opportunities in the equipment financing market. I have implemented effective risk management strategies for the Corporate division, optimizing underwriting processes, and orchestrating critical evaluations for executive-level portfolios.► Within my 2-year tenure, I managed a $600M+ equipment leasing and loan portfolio with 30+ relationships, spanning businesses of all sizes including middle market, large corporate, syndications, and high-net-worth individuals. I led deal teams in financial analysis, credit package development, and negotiation, resulting in expanded market presence and strengthened client relationships.► To enhance performance metrics across our portfolio, I quarterbacked the deal process from prescreening to underwriting. I partnered closely with sales on transaction structuring, ensuring robust risk management and regulatory compliance while meeting business objectives.► Focusing on operational excellence, I drove innovation as an internal thought leader on new credit policies, regulations, and technology systems. I reviewed and revised policies, advised management on new regulations and software implementation, supporting efficient deal execution and cross-functional collaboration.► As the foundation for team growth, I mentored and trained new employees, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the organization.

Chicago, Il

As Restructuring / Workout Officer in Citizens Bank's Special Assets division, I led the restructure and workout process for a $150M+ portfolio of distressed commercial real estate (CRE) loans ranging from $1M to $30M+. My role required expertise in credit analysis, law, market dynamics, negotiations, and internal bank politics to maximize recovery and value for the bank.►Portfolio Management & Value Recovery• Within my 4-year tenure, I negotiated and closed 50+ complex loan restructures/settlements, securing $100M+ in principal repayment and an additional $30M+ in charge-off recovery and fee income (after expenses).• To address challenging market conditions, I consistently exceeded goals for loan recovery, expense reimbursement, and fee income by 25% to 230% annually, contributing over $40M to the bottom line.• Focusing on operational excellence, I managed a diverse portfolio including balance sheet, syndicated, and participated loans, enhancing the value of properties under receivership and functioning as an Asset Manager.►Strategic Leadership & Risk Management• I developed legal strategies based on in-depth knowledge of distressed debt and the legal system, leveraging expertise in state and federal legal actions, as well as personal and borrower bankruptcies.• To optimize financial outcomes, I developed, analyzed, and approved financial projections utilized in workouts, ensuring robust risk assessment and mitigation strategies.• As part of my commitment to regulatory compliance, I prepared and maintained portfolio budgets used by senior management and regulators, solving internal accounting and loan invoicing problems.►Operational Excellence & Reporting• I prepared critical internal bank reporting, including credit risk ratings, FAS 114 impairments, and annual reviews.• To enhance asset value, I hired and managed third-party vendors, including Attorneys and Receivers, and approved budgets, leases, and capital expenditures.

Palatine, Il

As Portfolio Manager for First Bank and Trust Company of Illinois, I have executed comprehensive analysis of commercial real estate opportunities and managed a diverse loan portfolio. I have driven effective portfolio management strategies, optimizing underwriting processes, and orchestrating critical evaluations for new and existing loans.► Within my 2-year tenure, I managed a $100MM+ portfolio of 30+ recourse loans encompassing all asset types including construction, work-outs, C&I, and bank owned properties (OREO).► To address diverse market demands, I underwrote and structured new transactions across multiple asset classes, including multi-family, for-sale residential, retail, office, industrial, hospitality, and land loans.► Focusing on operational excellence, I streamlined portfolio management processes, enhancing the bank's ability to effectively manage both performing loans and troubled assets.

Chicago, Il

Spearheading the acquisitions, underwriting, and structuring process for private equity transactions at Wextrust Capital, I played a pivotal role in driving investment strategies for both stabilized and value-added commercial real estate assets.► I orchestrated the end-to-end process for private equity real estate transactions valued between $5MM to $50MM+, spanning all asset classes. This involved structuring deals, conducting thorough underwriting, negotiating loan terms, and authoring comprehensive Private Placement Memoranda.

Chicago, Il

I structured, underwrote, and closed non-recourse structured value-add commercial real estate transactions sized from $10MM to $100MM+ for senior debt, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, and blended structures.► I structured, priced, and drafted term sheets for a wide range of complex deals, including high leverage, mezzanine, preferred equity, construction, TIF, historical tax credit, revolver, and earn-out structures.► I created complex underwriting and cash flow models for debt and equity tranches, customizing them for individual transactions using Excel and Argus.► My work contributed significantly to the expansion of CapitalSource's portfolio in structured real estate finance, demonstrating my ability to navigate complex financial landscapes

Bedminster, Nj

I participated in a fast-track MBA corporate financial leadership development program, completing two one-year rotational assignments with individual leadership training and corporate finance classes taught by Senior Finance Executives.► In corporate FP&A, I oversaw and reported on $500MM of a $3.6Bn budget, honing my skills in financial planning and analysis at a large corporate scale.► I created complex financial models to analyze real estate transactions valued at $100MM+ during my rotation in corporate Real Estate.► This program significantly enhanced my leadership skills and provided me with a comprehensive understanding of corporate finance in a Fortune 500 environment.

Chicago, Il

I acted as the sole on-site representative of the management team for the company's first "Engineer, Procure, and Construct" project, valued at $80MM and representing 1/3 of the company's yearly revenue.► I engineered projects in the power, chemical, manufacturing, and energy services industries, demonstrating versatility across various technical domains.► My design and engineering work resulted in a Cogeneration Power Plant that supplied electricity, steam, and air conditioning to a large manufacturing facility.► This experience laid the foundation for my later transition into finance, providing me with valuable project management skills and technical knowledge that inform my approach to complex financial deals.

Mba, Finance

Bs, Mechanical Engineering