Chris Cernek, MBA
About Chris Cernek, MBA
Chris Cernek, MBA, serves as the Executive Director of the Commercial Mortgage Lending Division at Chase, where he has worked since 2014. He has a strong background in commercial real estate financing, having held senior positions at Fifth Third Bank and First Midwest Bank, and consistently achieves high loan profitability.
Work at Chase
Chris Cernek has served as the Executive Director of the Commercial Mortgage Lending Division at Chase since 2014. In this role, he oversees the division's operations and strategy, ensuring that all loans made under his leadership perform without criticized credits, foreclosures, or charge-offs. His tenure at Chase has been marked by a commitment to maintaining high standards in loan profitability and performance.
Previous Experience in Commercial Real Estate
Before joining Chase, Chris Cernek held several key positions in the commercial real estate sector. He worked at Fifth Third Bank as a Senior Relationship Manager in the Real Estate Financing Division from 2002 to 2003. He then served as Vice President of the Commercial Real Estate Division at First Midwest Bank from 2010 to 2014, where he achieved top regional producer status with $55 million in loan production in 2022. Earlier in his career, he was an Assistant Vice President at First Midwest Bank from 1995 to 1997.
Education and Expertise
Chris Cernek holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate from Indiana University Bloomington, where he studied from 1983 to 1987. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Finance from Loyola University Chicago, completing his studies from 1988 to 1990. His educational background underpins his expertise in commercial mortgage lending and real estate financing.
Achievements in Loan Profitability
Chris Cernek consistently ranks in the top quartile nationwide for loan profitability. His leadership in the Commercial Mortgage Lending Division has contributed to a strong performance record, with all loans made under his guidance performing well. His ability to achieve significant loan production and maintain high standards in credit performance reflects his expertise in the field.