Catherine Petrusz Email & Phone Number

I have spent the last 15 years in the finance industry developing practical solutions for improving access to capital. As Assistant General Council at Self-Help Credit Union, I maintained a strong focus on regulatory compliance and served as a strategic advisor to the President, CEO, and Board of Directors. In my current role at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) I have leveraged my legal skills alongside my relationship building and leadership skills, managing community benefits agreement negotiations with regional and national banks leading to over $60B in lending and investment commitments to underserved borrowers and communities. Curiosity and a love for learning have kept me engaged in all my roles. Whether it’s digging into a new regulation or policy, leveraging data to inform organizational strategy, or negotiating a deal, I always come away with new skills and knowledge that make me and the organizations I serve better. While my responsibilities have changed over time, my mission has not changed – to make a positive impact as an advocate for economic justice and inclusion. My success is due in large part to my ability to bring people together. By taking the time to actively listen, facilitate meaningful communication, and find common ground, it is possible to create solutions that benefit everyone involved.A few things I’m particularly proud of include: ➡️ My 6+ years of experience at Self Help Credit Union drafting and negotiating contracts with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and other lenders, and serving as the main point of contact for federal and state regulators during annual regulatory exams➡️ 3.5 years of experience at Alston & Bird, representing Bank of America and Wells Fargo and negotiating and closing one of my practice group's largest defeasance transactions to swap collateral for a $500M loan on a Manhattan building ➡️ As Lead Attorney for the Self Help Secondary Market Team, developing a term sheet, contract review process, and training manual to ensure compliance with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac requirements➡️ Building and leading a team overseeing the disbursement of 700 PPP loans to deserving small businesses during COVIDAreas of Expertise:Team Leadership | Risk Management | Legal Negotiations | Secondary Mortgage Market | Real Estate Due Diligence | Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) | Pooling & Servicing Agreements | Communication & Collaboration | Project Management | Relationship Building | Policy Analysis | Community Engagement | Legal & Regulatory Analysis | Relationship Building

Listed skills include Legal Writing, Corporate Governance, Due Diligence, Research, and 7 others.