History

1958
 

Benjamin B. (Buddy) Cohen develops the first correspondent lender relationship with John Hancock Mutual Life which would become an industry standard for many years.
1965
 
B.B. Cohen & Co. is founded by Benjamin B. Cohen. Second correspondent relationship established with Union Mutual Life.
1972
 
B.B. Cohen sells company to Walter E. Heller & Co.
1978
 
B.B. Cohen leaves B.B. Cohen & Co. and starts Cohen Financial Corporation.
1981
 
Exchange National Bank and Central National Bank merge, representing the first merger of Chicago’s financial district banks in 20 years. B.B. Cohen appointed Vice Chairman.
1990
 
Jack M. Cohen named as Chief Executive Officer of Cohen Financial.
1994
 
Cohen Financial develops direct lending programs to provide clients with unique capital products not available from other lenders.
1995
 
Cohen Financial opens first regional office in the Midwest.
1998
 
Cohen Financial completes a recapitalization of the company and opens new regional offices in Houston, Los Angeles and Tampa.
1999
 
Cohen Financial acquires E.S. Merriman & Sons, San Francisco and Harbor Financial, Sacramento and Denver.
2000
 
Cohen Financial acquires West Coast Mortgage & Investment Banking in Portland. Transaction volume is valued over $2.5 billion.
2001
 
Cohen Financial opens new office in Newport Beach.
2002
 
Cohen Financial acquires Acme Realty Funding, Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale.
2003
 
Cohen Financial acquires Financial Funding Resources, Inc., Boca Raton, and then later consolidates South Florida offices in a new office in Miami. Transaction volume is valued over $3.0 billion.
2004
 
Cohen Financial completes spin-off of growing direct lending business. Transaction volume is valued over $4.0 billion.
2005
 
Jack Cohen leads CMSA task force on Borrower Satisfaction which, in conjunction with the MBA, publishes the industry’s first “Borrower Guide to CMBS.” Transaction volume is valued over $5 billion, and the loan administration portfolio also surpasses the same milestone.
2006 
 
Cohen Financial completes recapitalization with FirstService Corporation of Toronto.
2007 
 
Cohen Financial opens a new office in Phoenix.
2008
 
Cohen Financial opens a new office in Dallas.