‘Establishing A Footprint’: How One Commercial Lender Is Expanding Its Operations In Phoenix And Beyond

Phoenix has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by its expanding population, robust economy and favorable business environment. The city’s quality of life, combined with low taxes and pro-business policies, makes it a magnet for commercial real estate investors.

Sectors like data centers, life sciences and healthcare have particularly thrived, positioning Phoenix as a key destination for investment in the Sun Belt. These trends underscore the city's evolution into a major hub for innovation and development, fueled by demographic and economic factors​. But investment and commercial lending firms like Trez Capital have seen Phoenix’s potential since the early 2000s.

“Phoenix was a robust market even before we started establishing our footprint here in 2006,” Trez Capital Senior Managing Director for U.S. Origination Brody Toigo said. “With its strong CRE fundamentals, such as population growth, favorable business policies and sustained economic development, along with Arizona's forecast to add 700,000 new jobs between 2020 and 2030, now is the opportune moment to enhance our boots-on-the-ground presence and capitalize on these favorable conditions.”

Trez Capital has relocated its West Coast operations to Phoenix, with more than 20 active loans in the area, and has financed more than $1.1B in projects across the Phoenix metropolitan statistical area. Trez Capital wants to build even more momentum in this fundamentally attractive market.

“We’re seeing exceptional momentum in Phoenix MSA, particularly across multifamily, self-storage, industrial and build-for-rent sectors,” said Trez Capital Senior Managing Director for U.S. Origination Jason Stowe, who has been active in the Phoenix market since 2010. “Our strategy includes deploying capital into these high-growth areas, backed by extensive market insights and data analytics. We're leveraging our deep understanding of the local economic landscape and its unique opportunities.”

Toigo added that while Phoenix is experiencing heightened leasing activity in industrial and other sectors, navigating the current landscape requires a strategic approach. As banks continue to tighten lending standards and housing supply remains constrained, finding innovative solutions and carefully structuring deals have become essential to achieving successful outcomes. 

“With our team’s extensive expertise in real estate and development, we’re able to better understand our clients' challenges and provide creative solutions and guidance on securing financing to help them complete their projects,” Toigo said.

Stowe said Trez Capital can “be creative and work outside of the box” to help its clients succeed.

He added that despite increasing challenges with entitlements in certain municipalities and the fluctuating involvement of banks in the market, “Trez Capital has built a 27-year track record of delivering results to its clients.”

Stowe said one reason the firm has been in the business for nearly three decades is its cultivation of long-term relationships.

“While we continually reach out to new clients, about 70% of our business is repeat business,” Stowe said. “Trustworthy, longstanding relationships are crucial in our business, and word of mouth is essential for cultivating new opportunities. We deeply value our relationships with long-term clients and are committed to continuously building on these connections while also welcoming new business.”

Toigo said while banks might be reluctant to provide developers with funds, Trez Capital is positioned to offer clients alternative funding solutions that are nimble and creative. 

“Our extensive background allows us to respond swiftly and effectively to our clients' needs,” he said.

Stowe added that Trez Capital uses its decades of experience to help close deals in as little as 30 to 60 days.

Trez Capital is defined by its entrepreneurial roots and client-first mentality, allowing the firm to approach every financing with discipline, speed and innovation, according to Toigo. 

“We know how hard our clients work, and we want their projects to come into fruition,” Toigo and Stowe said in a joint statement. 

Stowe said this level of customer satisfaction and integrity is something Trez Capital intends to carry on as it continues to deliver flexible solutions.

“Another advantage is Trez Capital can go higher in the capital stack, helping developers bring less equity to their projects,” he said.

With the firm’s deep expertise, ground-level perspective and extensive track record financing more than 1,800 transactions totaling close to $20B since inception, Trez Capital is positioned to capture more deals in the market — not only in the Phoenix MSA and the Sun Belt but nationwide.

“Trez has a bright future,” Toigo said. “We aim to be the funding partner of choice for leading real estate developers and owners on a national scale.”

This article was produced in collaboration between Trez Capital and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.