Episode 328: Beyond the Bank: The Insurance Approach to CRE Loans

David Politano, Managing Director and Head of Debt Strategies for MetLife Investment Management’s Real Estate group, brings more than 30 years of experience to the conversation as he joins the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast. In this episode, he explains how insurance companies’ approach to commercial real estate lending differs from traditional bank and CMBS channels - focusing on long-term, cradle-to-grave loan management with an emphasis on credit quality and relationship-based underwriting.   David walks through the structural advantages of insurer-held CRE debt, performance comparisons post-COVID, and how real estate market dynamics, especially in the office sector, are evolving. He also provides perspectives on pricing trends, global opportunities like Mexico industrial, and what insurers should consider in today's competitive lending environment. Backed by deep institutional knowledge and a client-first investment philosophy, this episode offers valuable context for insurers navigating CRE debt in 2025 and beyond.