Articles

Why Top Multifamily Lenders Practice Disciplined Underwriting

Every multifamily lender says it underwrites conservatively, but few follow a truly disciplined approach. Arbor Realty Trust’s own record is a case in point, with 19 consecutive years in the Top 10 Fannie Mae Multifamily DUS Lenders, a top-three ranking in Freddie Mac’s Conventional Small program, and an upgraded Commercial Special Servicer rating from Fitch Ratings in January 2026.

Investment

Special Report Fall 2026

Arbor Realty Trust’s Special Report Fall 2026, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, leverages data-driven research to detail the state of the rental housing market. Amid headwinds, multifamily remained resilient in a selective investment environment favoring disciplined underwriting and market selection. Attractive entry points for well-positioned investors continue to populate the road ahead.

Analysis

U.S. Multifamily Market Snapshot — September 2026

The U.S. multifamily market remains on stable footing in a mixed macroeconomic climate. Rent growth continued to trend upward through the second quarter, while apartment fundamentals remained resilient amid slowing employment growth and elevated vacancies.

Current Reports

Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report Q3 2026

Arbor’s latest Single-Family Rental Investment Trends Report highlights how this commercial real estate sector performed resiliently in the face of adversity last quarter. Even as policy uncertainty created new headwinds, firm operating fundamentals drove SFR forward.

Articles

Build-to-Rent Activity Remained Elevated Amid Policy Uncertainty

Build-to-rent (BTR) development remained resilient in a complicated operating environment last quarter as production continued to normalize, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau data. Despite political uncertainty, higher capital costs, and other headwinds, BTR maintained a historically high share of new single-family construction.

Articles

Where Multifamily Permitting is Intensifying and Accelerating

While national multifamily permitting stabilizes, the authorization of new apartment buildings with five or more units has become more heavily concentrated in smaller, rapidly growing metropolitan areas. From Durham, NC, to Fayetteville, AR, and Raleigh, NC, new U.S. Census Bureau data reveal where multifamily permitting was most concentrated and where it was accelerating fastest in the first half of 2026.

General: 800.ARBOR.10

David E. Friedman

Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, Non-Agency & Head of Arbor Private Construction

David Friedman is Arbor’s Chief Credit Officer, Non-Agency & Head of Arbor Private Construction. He joined Arbor in February 2022 as Executive Vice President responsible for leading Arbor’s loan-syndicated lending platform tasked with the development of its strategic partnerships for loan origination and establishing access to new sources of capital, as well as managing and growing existing relationships to fund Arbor’s business needs. In May 2024, David was given expanded responsibilities and named as Chief Credit Officer and Head of Non-Agency Production & Syndications. As Chief Credit Officer, David sets go-forward credit policy for all lines of business, excluding Agency, and has day-to-day responsibility, oversight, and decision-making authority over Arbor’s credit function and process for new originations on Structured Finance, Residential Financing (SFR and BTR), and Non-Agency Lending and Investments platforms. As Head of Non-Agency Production & Syndications, David has oversight and responsibility for: Arbor Private Label (APL), Arbor Private Investment (API), Arbor Private Construction (APC), Mezzanine Debt Lending and Preferred Equity Investments. In addition to those responsibilities, David continues to lead the firm’s direction in syndicated and capital markets and mortgage-related fund formation efforts.

Bringing over two decades of experience in commercial real estate lending, origination, credit, and directing syndication efforts at institutional groups, David is adept at successfully establishing and managing multiple programs. Prior to Arbor, he held leadership roles at financial powerhouses such as Greystone, TD Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and PNC Bank.

David holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Finance & Investment from NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Babson College.

Grow Your Career at Arbor

Arbor employs exceptional individuals with a strong foundation to achieve success in their career.

Careers