Raising the 'comfort level' in world of high finance.

When inquiring about obtaining financing for a co-op apartment, TriState area residents are continuously being referred to National Cooperative Bank's Robbie Gendels by brokers, lawyers, sponsors, management firms and residents in the area.

Why? Ms. Gendels' reputation for successfully arranging cooperative financing efficiently and quickly is well known, in an industry where a 20-plus year track record counts for a lot.

Gendels has built on her achievements in a variety of ways since joining NCB, FSB, a subsidiary of National Cooperative Bank in 1999.

Specializing in cooperative apartment mortgages (also known as share loans), Gendels has established herself as one of the industry's most respected and knowledgeable professionals in her field. Her strong credentials serve her well in a housing market where cooperatives and condominiums are the norm. Clients are eager to work with a lender who combines a careful eye for detail with a ready grasp of the intricacies of a loan transaction, all the while keeping the approval process on track toward a timely closing.

At NCB, FSB's offices in New York City, Gendels' accomplishments speak for themselves--she was recognized as a top producer for share loan lending in 2002 and again in 2003. Her extensive contributions have facilitated the bank's expanding reach to include condominiums and single-family homes across the New York metropolitan area.

Today, NCB is providing real estate financing to a diverse group of homebuyers in the Tri-State area through a broad selection of financial options, from home equity lines of credit for cooperatives and condominiums to "Kiddy Loans" specifically targeting young homebuyers with little or no credit history to financial packages aimed at investment purchases. Gendels can easily create a customized loan package to meet her clients' specific needs.

NCB's approach to individualized financing solutions allows the client to deal directly with loan officers, avoiding the discontent found when a borrower is shuffled around a large, faceless mortgage department.

"The reason I love this job, is the hands-on relationships I have with my clients," commented Gendels. "By taking as much time with them as possible, I am able to bring a reassuring comfort level to what typically can be an overwhelming time. While the degree of personal assistance varies, the first step is always to provide each client all the necessary information on the front end, to equip them to make the best and most informed decision possible."

One client who recently benefited from such a tailored, hands-on approach was a new college graduate working for a prominent New York investment firm. Having received a significant signing bonus and salary, she was interested in purchasing a cooperative, and had found the perfect one-bedroom, but lacked the required credit record necessary when applying for a traditional mortgage--a challenge faced by many young, first-time homebuyers.

Fortunately she was referred to NCB, and was able to arrange a "Kiddy Loan", one of the bank's alternative financing options. This program was designed to meet the needs and challenges of new buyers in her situation, by enabling them to use their parent's strong credit history and borrowing power to assist in purchasing a place, while at the same time beginning to build a solid credit history of their own. For Gendels, this was another success story to add to her list, reflecting her dedicated commitment to a client, from introducing the buyer to an alternative financing option, to walking them through the stages of the approval process and then helping close the mortgage on her new home.

"Robbie believes in providing her clients with the best possible information from the start, enabling them to make well-informed decisions by clearly understanding the variety of options available to them," noted Chris Goettke, Senior Vice President of NCB, FSB.

"In addition, she maintains close contact with each client, briefing them on the loan's status while the documents are in our pipeline prior to settlement.

"That's one of the main reasons why she has had such great success through referrals and returning customers over the years."

A key facet of her previous career, which has facilitated her achievements at the bank, is the combined knowledge of the property manager's and owner's point of view. She draws on this considerable expertise when working with current clients, addressing management questions if they arise.

By bringing all her past skills, career experience and considerable talent to bear, Gendels has carved out a name for herself in the highly competitive residential real estate market. And, capping off this success, she has also achieved something more important--the admiration, friendship and trust of her many clients.