Starwood Trust expands board, names Pollack Vice Chairman

In a recent update, Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (STWD), a $6.7 billion commercial mortgage REIT currently trading near its InvestingPro Fair Value, has announced the expansion of its Board of Directors and the appointment of a new Vice Chairman. The Board has increased from nine to ten directors with Jonathan Pollack joining as a member and also taking on the role of Vice Chairman, effective April 1, 2025.

Jonathan Pollack, 48, is set to become the President of Starwood Capital Group, an investment firm affiliated with Starwood Property Trust, managing approximately $115 billion in assets. His tenure at Starwood Capital Group will also commence on April 1, 2025. Prior to this, Pollack was the Global Head of Real Estate Credit at Blackstone (NYSE:BX) Inc. from 2016 to 2024, where he oversaw assets worth $84 billion. His experience includes serving on the Board of Directors for Blackstone Mortgage (NYSE:BXMT) Trust, Inc. This appointment comes as Starwood Property Trust maintains strong financial metrics, with InvestingPro data showing a healthy current ratio of 20.49 and an impressive dividend yield of 9.47%.

Pollack’s extensive background in real estate investment and management is further highlighted by his educational achievements, having earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern (NASDAQ:NWE) University. In addition to his professional endeavors, he contributes to the community through his role on the Board of Trustees of East Harlem Tutorial Program, a notable educational initiative in New York City.

Pollack will not receive additional compensation for his service on the Board of Starwood Property Trust. Due to his upcoming position with Starwood Capital Group, he will not be considered an independent director. Further details regarding the relationship between the Company and Starwood Capital Group can be found in the "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" section of the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

This significant appointment reflects the company’s strategic efforts to strengthen its leadership team and board expertise. The information reported in this article is based on the statements made in the company’s SEC filing.

In other recent news, Starwood Property Trust Inc (NYSE:STWD). reported its fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, showing a slight beat in earnings per share (EPS) but missing revenue expectations. The company achieved an EPS of $0.48, exceeding the forecast of $0.47, while its revenue came in at $454.39 million, below the anticipated $472.03 million. Despite the revenue shortfall, Starwood committed $1.6 billion to new investments during the quarter, indicating ongoing growth initiatives. The firm plans to expand its lending activities in 2025, aiming to achieve the highest loan volume since its inception, excluding 2021. Analysts have noted the company’s strategic focus on diversification and expansion, which includes exploring new markets and increasing its infrastructure and energy lending. Additionally, Starwood’s diversified business model contributed significantly to its annual performance, with 67% of its investments directed at non-commercial lending businesses. The company also managed to maintain a low leverage ratio, providing it with ample capacity for future investments. These recent developments reflect Starwood’s strategic initiatives to drive future growth amidst challenging market conditions.

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