We're excited to welcome Abdul Salam as our new Senior Vice President of Underwriting! With a wealth of experience from Freddie Mac, Abdul brings a unique perspective to our team. We sat down with him to discuss his background, his vision for the future of underwriting, and what excites him about joining Ease Capital.

Welcome, Abdul! To start, could you tell us a bit about your experience at Freddie Mac?

"Absolutely. I spent over ten years at Freddie Mac, where I was deeply involved in multifamily underwriting and the company’s digital transformation initiatives. I had the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, from conventional and affordable transactions to leading process improvements. I'm grateful to my mentors and colleagues—it was an invaluable experience that gave me a deep understanding of multifamily financing and the broader commercial real estate industry."

What motivated you to join Ease Capital?

"Several factors attracted me to Ease Capital. I was especially impressed by the company’s seasoned leadership team, its innovative lending model, and its strong focus on leveraging technology to streamline deal origination and underwriting. Ease has built a dynamic, forward-thinking culture—exactly the kind of environment I was seeking—and I was eager to contribute to its continued growth."

How do you think about leveraging data and technology in underwriting multifamily loans?

"Data and technology play a crucial role in modern underwriting. They enable us to make more informed credit decisions—faster and with greater accuracy. By harnessing the power of data analytics, we can identify trends, assess risk, and streamline workflows. Technology also facilitates automation, which reduces manual tasks, standardizes due diligence, and improves efficiency for underwriters. I believe this combination is essential to staying competitive in today’s market."

Can you share some insights into your experience with digital transformation at Freddie Mac?

"Digital transformation was a major focus during my time at Freddie Mac. We worked on developing new underwriting systems and implementing process improvements to reduce turnaround times, mitigate credit risk, and enhance efficiency. This involved adopting new technologies, training staff, and fostering a culture of innovation. It was a rewarding experience that taught me the importance of agility and adaptability in the digital age."

What are the biggest underwriting challenges that you see with traditional lenders today?

“From what I hear, the biggest hurdle for sponsors and brokers is turnaround time. Lenders require extensive documentation for underwriting, including property financial statements, third-party reports, and sponsor due diligence. All important, but then, underwriters work through those reports to assess credit risk while still managing to deal timelines. This can be an herculean lift. At Ease, we are developing tools to help shorten turnaround times and use technology to quickly and accurately assess credit risk.”

What are you most excited about at Ease Capital?

"I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity to contribute to Ease Capital's growth and success. The team here is super talented and passionate, and I'm looking forward to working together to drive innovation in underwriting. I'm also eager to implement new strategies and technologies that will help us serve our clients better."

What's your vision for the future of underwriting leveraging data and AI?

"My vision for the future of underwriting involves the seamless integration of data and artificial intelligence. I believe AI can automate many routine tasks, allowing underwriters to focus on credit risk and the more complex aspects of the deal. By leveraging machine learning, we can enhance risk assessment, improve decision-making, and deliver faster, more efficient service to our clients. It’s an exciting time to be in this field, and I’m confident these advancements will transform the industry."

We're thrilled to have Abdul on board and look forward to the valuable contributions he will make to Ease Capital!