Financial Services >> Analyst Interviews >> January 21, 2003
Ross Smotrich, a senior equity analyst at Bear, Stearns & Co.,
heads a five-member team that provides research coverage for
REITs and other real estate securities. Mr. Smotrich joined Bear
Stearns in May 1998. Previously he was a Vice President and
senior equity analyst at Merrill Lynch (1994'1998), where his
coverage universe included multi-family residential, manufactured
housing, healthcare and commercial mortgage REITs. Prior to
joining Merrill Lynch, Mr. Smotrich spent 11 years in the Real
Estate Finance Group of Chemical Bank, most recently as Vice
President/Region Manager. During his tenure at the bank, Mr.
Smotrich worked as a lending officer, responsible for the bank's
activities in several major southeastern states; as a team leader
in Chemical's Real Estate Investment Banking Group on both the
origination and placement sides, and finally, as a Region Manager
responsible for a $750 million workout/restructuring loan
portfolio. Before beginning his real estate career, Mr. Smotrich
worked as an economist in the Department of International Affairs
' Ministry of Finance, and in the Knesset, State of Israel. Mr.
Smotrich received his BA from the University of Pennsylvania in
Diplomatic History and International Economics, and his MBA in
Finance and Real Estate from Columbia University. He is a member
of the Urban Land Institute (Multi-family Council) and NAREIT. Profile
on in the marketplace now?
Mr. Smotrich: It's fair to say that the REITs held up pretty well
in 2002 compared to the broader
