Commercial Real Estate Finance Council Inc. (CRE Finance Council)

The CRE Finance Council (CREFC) is the trade association for the commercial real estate finance industry. Its mission is to promote liquidity, transparency, and efficiency in the commercial real estate finance markets by acting as a legislative and regulatory advocate, setting market standards and best practices, and providing education for market participants. Headquartered in New York City at 10 East 53rd Street, the organization also maintains offices in Washington D.C., Europe, and Japan.

CREFC offers a range of services to its members, which include balance sheet and securitized lenders, loan and bond investors, private equity firms, servicers, and rating agencies. Key offerings include legislative and regulatory advocacy in Washington D.C., the development of industry standards, educational programs, and fostering industry connectivity through major conferences, seminars, and networking events. The council also publishes member communications, such as the CRE Finance World magazine, and conducts research and surveys to provide market insights.

Lisa Pendergast, President and CEO of CREFC, announced her planned retirement around August 3, 2026, after a decade of leadership during which the organization saw significant growth and increased its membership by over 30 percent. Leland F. Bunch III serves as the Chair of CREFC's Executive Committee and Board of Governors. In recent news, CREFC released its First-Quarter 2026 Board of Governors Sentiment Index, which saw a 20.2% decline to 100.1, returning to its 4Q17 baseline, indicating a shift in market sentiment after three quarters of gains. The organization continues to be a central forum for dialogue, advocacy, and market intelligence, representing over 400 member companies and more than 18,000 individuals globally.