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Barbara Simmons

Barbara Simmons

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Barbara Simmons

Executive Vice President, Commercial Real Estate Finance
M&T Bank

What is your most significant professional accomplishment?

Being responsible for a now $3 billion commercial real estate loan portfolio and has grown the portfolio to include investments in all asset types including retail, office, warehouse, flex, hotel and residential for-sale housing, as well as large investments in market rate and affordable housing products.

How have you mentored others?

During the bank’s merger with People’s United Bank in 2022 I stepped up to participate as a peer mentor. Through the transition, I served as the main point of contact, making myself available and helping to acclimate new colleagues throughout the transition. I consistently welcome college interns onto the team, providing hands-on experience underwriting real estate, interpreting market data, financially analyzing large commercial projects, understanding analytics and considering how to develop a project from start to finish for construction loans. Through the Urban Land Institute’s Mentor Program, I have partnered young members with senior-level professionals.

This is an honoree profile from The Daily Record's Top 100 Women awards. Information for this profile was sourced from the honoree's application for the award.

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