The Mortgage Bankers Association of New York consists of a diverse membership of real estate and business specialists whose mission is to provide the most professional service to the public and private sectors in an informative, ethical and dedicated manner to meet the ever evolving challenges facing the real estate finance industry.
Our mission
- To promote the welfare of the real estate finance industry of New York State;
- To encourage sound and ethical business practices in the real estate finance industry of New York State;
- To provide business networking opportunities to its members; and to provide current education on real estate finance to its members.
The association endeavors to create an environment developing innovative business tools, educating and training industry professionals, providing a forum for the sharing of ideas and business networking, and informing the real estate finance industry on legislative and regulatory issues.
President’s Message

Jonathan Stern
President, MBAofNY
I am honored to serve as the president of the Mortgage Bankers Association of New York (MBA of NY) at such a pivotal time in our industry’s history.
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges to our members and to the real estate finance markets. I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to our members who have lost family and friends, or whose own health has been seriously affected. As for the pandemic’s effect on business, the MBA of NY has done its utmost to serve our members and continue providing the programming, resources, and community that we all rely on.
My colleagues on the board of governors, all of whom are long-term members and active market participants, helped navigate the various challenges presented by the pandemic. Thanks to their dedication and follow-through, we have emerged as an even stronger and more united organization.
I’m proud not only of the board’s contributions, but also of the diversity it reflects. Each representative brings a different background, specialization, and point of view that enhances the breadth of our expertise.
MBA of NY members are equally worthy of recognition and our leadership and members share two attributes in common: They care deeply about causes important to the lending community and they advocate for these causes. Rest assured that as the market recovers from the pandemic, the MBA of NY will be leading the way.
I am excited about the future for the MBA of NY. Our mission, to promote the welfare of the real estate finance industry in New York State, has never been more relevant and MBA of NY leadership and members are well prepared to advance this mission by leveraging our collective insight and relationships.
Please join us at one of our upcoming events and learn how you can get involved in an organization that has been at the forefront of real estate finance in New York since 1948.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Stern
President, MBAofNY
IN MEMORY OF:

PRINCIPAL
Bonnie Nachamie, Esq.
Bonnie S. Nachamie, PC
Our History
There is an old saying “history never looks like history when you are living through it”. During good times or challenging times, periods of great development or times of economic uncertainty, the one constant that the New York real estate community has come to rely on has been the Mortgage Bankers Association of New York, Inc.
Born out of the post-war real estate boom in 1948, the MBA of New York has promoted the welfare of the real estate finance industry of New York State ever since. Our purpose for existence and our mission have transcended every real estate cycle since our inception. We have always endeavored to provide our membership with high quality networking opportunities, topical educational programming on matters relevant to the times and be an advocate for their interests in the political and business arenas on issues affecting our industry.
Over the years, our Past Presidents, Officers and Boards of Governors have been leaders of our industry and have always graciously volunteered their time to serve. The MBA of New York proudly recognizes the history created by our Past Presidents and gratefully acknowledges not only their service to our industry but also their contributions to our organization over the years.
High interest rates, low interest rates, inflation, deflation, stagflation, over-building, under-building, tight credit,easy credit, no credit, credit crunches and, of course, long periods of prosperity. The MBA of New York and its members have lived through it all. And, for every situation we have lived through, combined with all that we have learned from our past, the MBA of New York and its members have always emerged stronger, smarter, tougher and better- together.
After all, we’re the MBA of New York!
Past Presidents
Gregory Nuber | 2018-2020 |
David Soares | 2016-2018 |
Frederick A. McDonald, Jr. | 2014-2016 |
Brian Scesney | 2012-2014 |
Michael B. Fletcher | 2010-2012 |
Michael J. Hurley, Jr., Esq. | 2008-2010 |
Gerard Zapata | 2006-2008 |
Douglas H. Forsyth | 2004-2006 |
Henry Boeckmann III | 2002-2004 |
James T. Freel | 2000-2002 |
Janet Knipfing | 1999-2000 |
Michael P. McManus | 1998-1999 |
George Bossis | 1997-1998 |
Steven B. Jason | 1996-1997 |
Richard A. Nardi | 1995-1996 |
Russell G. Matthews | 1994-1995 |
Patricia Niemas | 1993-1994 |
Lawrence J. Longua | 1992-1993 |
Mark A. Iannone | 1991-1992 |
Anthony J. Harney | 1990-1991 |
Frank J. Harvey | 1989-1990 |
Michael Adler | 1988-1989 |
Jane E. Greenstein | 1987-1988 |
Richard J. Santoro | 1986-1987 |
Malcolm Rosenberg | 1985-1986 |
Joseph B. Tocharshewsky | 1984-1985 |
Louis E. Hathaway, III | 1983-1984 |
Marilyn L. Brown | 1982-1983 |
H.L. Van Varick | 1981-1982 |
George A. Metzger | 1980-1981 |
Thomas F. Roberts, III | 1979-1980 |
Robert F. Hill | 1978-1979 |
Frank J. Finan | 1977-1978 |
Patrick J. Gavin | 1976-1977 |
Peter C. Haeffner, Jr. | 1975-1976 |
George F. Brunner | 1974-1975 |
Frederick E. Bolk | 1973-1974 |
Thomas G. Davis, Jr. | 1972-1973 |
Arthur I. Sonnenblick | 1971-1972 |
William F. Reynolds | 1970-1971 |
John B. Bailey | 1969-1970 |
Vincent J. Quinn | 1968-1969 |
Cornelius C. Rose, Jr. | 1967-1968 |
William C. Plog | 1965-1966 |
Charles H.Haynsworth | 1965 |
James E.Gorman | 1964 |
William J. Gill | 1963-1964 |
Thomas H. Quin | 1962-1963 |
Philip L. Greenawalt | 1961-1962 |
John F. Eleford | 1960-1961 |
Russel G. Smith | 1959-1960 |
Eugene J. McCarthy | 1958-1959 |
William C. Batchelder | 1957-1958 |
Albert E. Berkeley | 1956-1957 |
Harry M. Huter | 1955-1956 |
Lawrence A. Epter | 1954-1955 |
Board of Governors
Officers 2020-2021
PRESIDENT
Jonathan Stern
Managing Director
Meridian Capital Group, LLC
VICE PRESIDENT
Zahra B. Jafri, Nmls #17149
President
Lynx Mortgage Bank LLC #5838
TREASURER
Karen Kozlowski, Esq
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER
Kitty Yen
Structured Credit Executive
U.S. Trust | Bank of America
Private Wealth Management
Board of Governors 2020-2021
Frederick A. Mcdonald, jr., Mrics
Senior Business
Development Officer
WFG National Title Insurance
Company
Gregory Nuber
Chair, Past Presidents
Advisory Committee
Commercial Real Estate, BHI
Art Saitta
Assistant Vice President,
Residential Business
Joshua Stein, Esq.
Principal, Joshua Stein PLLC
Adam Luysterborghs
VP, Agency Originations
CPC Mortgage Company, LLC
Jeoung (Aj) Jin
Managing Director
Meridian Capital Group, LLC
Douglas Giles
Managing Director
Meridian Capital Group, LLC
Counsel
COMMITTEE
Committee Chairs 2020-2021
SOCIAL MEDIA/ MARKETING CHAIR JENN SMARAGDAS
Jenn Smaragdas
Director of Operations & Business Development, C3S CoRE Consulting Inc.
EDUCATION PROGRAM BREAKFAST
Gregg Christensen
Managing Director | Southwell Realty Capital
WEBSITE / TECHNOLOGY CHAIR
Sarah Lindner
Meridian Capital Group
SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Victor Amoo, Caia
Basis Investment Group
SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
Mark Destefanis
Principal deStefanis Realty Capital,LLC
SOCIAL MEDIA/MARKETING Co CHAIR
Rebecca Jurbala
Emerald Creek Capital
EDUCATION CO-CHAIR
Steven J. Rosa
Managing Director Meridian Capital Group, LLC
EDUCATION LUNCHEON CHAIR
Joshua Stein, Esq.
Joshua Stein PLLC
SPECIAL EVENTS CHAIR
Kitty Yen
U.S. Trust | Bank of American Private Wealth Management