Lisa Pendergast
President & CEO
CRE Finance Council
Dear CREFC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Today marks both a homecoming and a new beginning. With the launch of the new
iteration of CREFC World, we are returning to our roots while
embracing the future of industry communication. Twenty-seven years ago, we
published the first issue of CMBS World in response to the
market turmoil of 1998.
Through the years, our publication evolved along with the market. When the
industry expanded beyond CMBS, we became CRE Finance World in 2010, reflecting
the broader integration of all types of commercial real estate finance into our
coverage. When the market demanded deeper expertise over broader coverage, we
shifted in 2020 to CRE and Multifamily Finance: In the Spotlight. This new
publication delivers focused thought leadership pieces that dive deep into
critical issues facing our industry.
Each transformation of our CREFC member publication taught us something
essential. We learned that our members value both diversity of perspective and
depth of analysis. We discovered that digital delivery expands our reach while
maintaining the highest quality content. Most importantly, we confirmed that,
regardless of format, our community depends on timely, forward-thinking content
that helps navigate increasingly complex markets.
CREFC World represents the union of these lessons. We are
returning to a multi-article format that reflects today’s evolving market
dynamics and accompanying viewpoints. We are remaining fully digital as we
acknowledge how our members consume information today. We are publishing
bi-annually to ensure each issue delivers maximum value without overwhelming
busy volunteer market professionals and their inboxes. We are emphasizing
forward-looking content because in today’s market, understanding what is
coming next matters as much as understanding what has happened before and now.
To the Editorial Board members, past and present, who have guided us through
each iteration, to the authors who have shared their expertise, and to you,
our readers, who have made this publication essential to the industry, we say
thank you. Your contributions have built something enduring: a trusted platform
for the commercial real estate finance community to connect, learn, and lead.
Welcome to CREFC World. The name honors its heritage while the content drives
our future. Submissions will open in January for those interested in
contributing to our Spring 2026 issue.