2022 Year in Review: Yaakov Zar, Lev

What person, project, transaction or market trend had the greatest impact on your industry this year? The integration of technology into CRE financing has had a significant impact on Lev’s business this year. We’ve onboarded 5,000+ lenders onto the Lev platform, ranging from local banks to national debt funds, and we’re seeing more players make the shift towards digital to access the best possible financing.

What was your greatest professional accomplishment or most notable project, deal, or transaction in 2022? During 2022, Lev closed over $100 million in credit facility loans for our net lease sector and $1+ billion in marketplace loans across a broad cross section of lenders. We’ve also expanded into new verticals like cannabis, an industry with traditionally tight regulations, securing $40 million in cannabis CRE loans.

What emerging trends will drive investment and development in 2023? As we head into 2023, the transition to tech-led decision-making and operational management will increase with a focus on deal evaluation, securing debt financing, and deal management. We expect CRE companies to more heavily rely on technology to make faster and more accurate decisions, replacing legacy models with tech-led solutions.