MBA Presents Matt Rocco With the 2026 CREF Distinguished Service Award
(From left: Christine Chandler and Matt Rocco, by Anneliese Mahoney)
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) awarded Matt Rocco, 2023 MBA Chairman and President of Colliers Mortgage, with the 2026 Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF) Distinguished Service Award in San Diego at its Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo.
“Matt Rocco has exemplified the very best of leadership, dedication, and service to the commercial real estate finance industry,” said Christine Chandler, 2026 MBA Chair and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, M&T Realty Capital Corporation. “Throughout his career and his years of volunteer leadership at MBA, Matt has consistently gone above and beyond. His commitment to advancing MBA’s mission, supporting colleagues, and mentoring the next generation of industry leaders makes him a truly deserving recipient of the CREF Distinguished Service Award.”
Rocco serves as President of Colliers Debt & Structured Finance, where he oversees the strategic direction and growth of the firm’s commercial mortgage services and solutions across the United States. With decades of experience in real estate and finance, Rocco’s career spans investment banking, bond issuance, underwriting, and real estate asset management. Prior to joining Colliers in 2022, he was Chairman and CEO of Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, a subsidiary of Truist Bank.
In addition, Rocco served three consecutive years in leadership roles at MBA, as 2021 Vice Chair, followed by 2022 Chair-Elect, and finishing his tenure as Chair in 2023. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rocco is widely recognized for his commitment to volunteer leadership within the association. In addition to previously serving on the Board of Directors, Rocco served on the MBA’s Commercial Real Estate/Multifamily Finance Board of Governors’ (COMBOG), Residential/Single Family Board of Governors’ (RESBOG), Board of Directors of Open Doors Foundation, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), NAIOP, Urban Land Institute (ULI), Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA), National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), Pension Real Estate Association (PREA), Fannie Mae DUS Peer Group and CCIM.
What they are saying:
“Matt has served as a volunteer leader in nearly every capacity one can at MBA – giving generously of his time, thoughts, and actions. He is a consistent presence at MBA activities and events and contributes meaningfully. Most importantly, his most frequent refrain is “What can I do for you” – which he genuinely means and actively follows through on. Thank you, Matt, for everything you have done.” – Jamie Woodwell, SVP of Commercial/Multifamily Policy and Strategic Industry Engagement, MBA
“Matt has not only been a tireless supporter and leader for our industry but has become a friend to many of us involved with the MBA because to know him is to like him.” – Jeff Weidell, CEO of Northmaq
“His mortgage banking leadership blends strategic thinking with empathy and integrity.” – Hilary Provinse, Executive Vice President – Production and Capital Markets, Berkadia
“Across all his endeavors, Matt demonstrates a deep appreciation for how the small details make all the difference… for these reasons amongst countless others, his colleagues, clients, and peers have come to hold him in the highest regard.” – Quentin Fogan, Managing Director, Head of Origination, Commercial Real Estate Structured Finance, Bank of America
“Matt embodies the true definition of an Industry Giant. A strategic thinker, Matt leads a national platform that strives for excellence in execution for all stakeholders – borrower & lender alike.” – Jeff Majewski, Executive Managing Director, CBRE
“Matt’s extraordinary leadership style was evident and effective as he helped us navigate turbulent times in our industry on both the residential and commercial sides of the business. Matt is able to do this with a low ego approach. We owe Matt a great deal of gratitude across our industry.” – Jack Gay, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Debt, Nuveen
Nominees for the CREF Distinguished Service Award must be associated with an MBA member firm, have a record of sustained and extraordinary service to MBA and the commercial/multifamily real estate finance industry, and possess a strong reputation for ethical and professional conduct. This award is the highest honor an individual can receive from fellow MBA CREF members.
