Bob Bernard is a senior vice president in the Debt & Equity division of Northmarq Capital.
Northmarq is a national commercial real estate mortgage banking company that provides loan servicing, commercial real estate debt and equity financing, multifamily and commercial investment sales, and fund management.
Bob has over 35 years of commercial real estate lending experience and has always taken a people-first approach to the business. He is driven to create constructive collaboration amongst his team members to provide a superior client experience.
Bob is fortunate to have many clients who have been with him for over 25 years, and he is always the first phone call if they need CRE financing assistance.
Bob completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at St. John’s University and obtained a master of business degree in finance.
Bob began his career in numerous lending positions at several banks before spending the bulk of his career at North Fork Bank and its acquirer Capital One Bank.
Bob has led many lending teams, and he eventually led Capital One’s Long Island CRE lending division. When Capital One deemphasized its real estate lending efforts, Bob pivoted to find new sources of capital for his clients, which eventually led him to Northmarq.
Northmarq represents the future of commercial real estate finance. The Banks are currently retreating from this type of lending. Northmarq continues to offer new sources of financing with its deep correspondent relationships with life insurance companies and its recent acquisitions of both a bridge financing capital markets group and an in-house equity fund.
Bob is a current board member of United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island. He also served on the Long Island Real Estate Group and Sustainable Long Island boards. Bob has been teaching yoga and meditation for over a decade. “My practice of yoga has kept me grounded during challenging times and it provides me with a way to assist others in finding their path towards inner peace.”
He and his wife, Sue, live in Commack, along with their dog, Wesley.
Their daughter, Melissa, resides in Washington, D.C., and is engaged to be married. “Sue was my high school sweetheart and having a longtime partner at home, many long-term friendships, as well as longtime partners in business are my proudest accomplishments in life.”
What advice would you give other business leaders:
“I recommend that business leaders pay attention to what they enjoy doing the most and what they enjoy the least. If you are mindful of these things, you can surround yourself with people who offer strengths in the areas where you may be lacking.
“If you focus on doing the things you enjoy, does it really work? Take this exercise into everything in your life. You can only live fully if you focus on the things you love.”
