Brian Brooks

Brian Brooks is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Capital Group, a prominent commercial mortgage brokerage firm based in New York. He assumed this role in April 2024, succeeding the company's co-founder Ralph Herzka, who transitioned to the position of senior chairman.13

Professional Background

Brian Brooks has a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors, particularly in financial services and regulatory roles:

• Acting Comptroller of the Currency: From May 2020 to January 2021, Brooks served as the chief executive of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), where he was known for his focus on financial innovation and modernization of banking regulations. He has been referred to as "the first fintech Comptroller" due to his efforts in promoting cryptocurrency activities and marketplace lending partnerships.15

• Fannie Mae: Before his tenure at the OCC, Brooks held several significant positions at Fannie Mae, including executive vice president and general counsel. He played a key role in overhauling its corporate governance structure and served on its board of directors.23

• Private Sector Roles: After his time at Fannie Mae, Brooks worked as CEO of Binance.US for a brief period and led Bitfury, a blockchain technology company. He has also been a partner at O'Melveny & Myers LLP and served as a senior advisor at Valor Capital Group.15

Vision for Meridian Capital Group

In his new role at Meridian, Brooks aims to revitalize the firm's broker model and enhance its capabilities in commercial real estate. He is particularly focused on rebuilding relationships with government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which had previously blacklisted Meridian amid compliance issues.24 His strategy includes establishing robust compliance and risk management frameworks to regain trust and ensure alignment with regulatory expectations.13

Personal Insights

Brooks has expressed enthusiasm about joining Meridian, highlighting the firm's potential for innovation within the commercial real estate sector. He aims to leverage his extensive experience to guide Meridian through its current challenges while fostering growth and enhancing operational standards.23

Overall, Brian Brooks brings a wealth of experience in regulatory affairs, legal expertise, and leadership to his role at Meridian Capital Group, positioning him as a key figure in navigating the complexities of the commercial mortgage landscape.