Ernest Katai

Executive Vice President – Head of Production

Primary Office

One Northwestern Plaza
28411 Northwestern Highway, Suite 300
Southfield MI 48034
  • Phone: 248.208.3460

Mr. Katai is Executive Vice President – Head of Production and a member of the Berkadia Management Committee. Mr. Katai has been with Berkadia and its predecessor companies for nearly 30 years, working as a leading mortgage banker throughout his tenure. In this role, Mr. Katai oversees more than 360 mortgage bankers and investment sales advisors. In 2023, Berkadia’s total loan origination volume exceeded $21 billion while the total investment sales volume exceeded $9 billion. Since 2014, when Mr. Katai was named Head of Production, mortgage banking has grown by 150% while investment sales grew by 423% under his leadership.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Katai led Berkadia’s Detroit office to become the top originating office in Michigan, which now regularly produces a combined mortgage banking and investment sales volume of approximately $2 billion each year. Mr. Katai has an extensive background in loan origination that includes construction lending, interim loans, structured loans, tax free financing, joint ventures and equity investments, and he has originated transactions with more than 50 capital sources including multiple life companies, credit companies, banks, conduits, and pension funds. Previously Mr. Katai did construction lending for Comerica Bank and real estate structured credit financing for Ford Motor Credit.

Education & Certifications

  • B.A., University of Michigan
  • M.B.A., University of Detroit

Affiliations & Memberships

  • Urban Land Institute
  • International Council of Shopping Centers
  • Mortgage Bankers Association
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