Ben Harris is a Senior Director with Berkadia in Los Angeles. Since joining Berkadia in 2015, Ben has originated or underwritten over six billion dollars in financing across a diversified mix of asset classes and financing structures. With a specialty in institutional size, complex multifamily transactions, Ben has separated himself with the ability to think creatively and structure deals to meet his client’s financing needs.
Ben has a deep bench of lending relationships, particularly with life insurance company correspondents, where he served on the PPM Advisory Counsel. He is also an expert in agency financing, often partnering with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help pilot or craft new programs. He was responsible for the origination of Fannie Mae’s first few Green Rewards loans following the program’s revamp in 2016 and partnered with Freddie Mac to help design and pilot their Green Up program the same year. He currently serves as a lender representative on the Fannie Mae Green Housing Taskforce, a cross-functional group focused on energy and water efficiency in multifamily housing. Ben also structured and originated the first agency Co-Living financing in 2020 with Fannie Mae, working with both the Berkadia and Fannie Mae teams to obtain the necessary inaugural approvals.
Ben is active and holds a leadership role in numerous civic, philanthropic and advocacy organizations. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Real Estate and Construction Division as well as a member of the Budget, Finance and Accounting Committee both for the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.
