Benefits
If your institution needs to better manage liquidity risk, concentration risk, credit risk, or overall interest rate risk, Baker Loan Solutions can help. Backed by a deep client base, our experienced team offers a wide market for the benefit of participating institutions. We work with both buyers and sellers to educate them about the benefits of loan participations as pertaining to each institution’s balance sheet. This tool fits perfectly within our integrated suite of services, enabling institutions to balance assets and liabilities.
Benefits for sellers
- Additional source of balance sheet liquidity
- Ability to reduce concentration and credit risk
- Empowers management and ALCO to better control interest rate risk
- Opportunity to build an “off balance sheet” revenue source
Benefits for buyers
- Ability to increase asset allocation into loans
- Improve loan diversification by product and geography
- Increase overall loan interest income
- Empowers management and ALCO to better control interest rate risk
Why partner with The Baker Group?
- Focused support throughout entire loan transaction process
- Flexible approach to building loan pools
- Matching nationwide buyers and sellers
- Access to BLS to simplify and expedite the process
- Assistance with negotiation of pricing and terms between parties
- Access to our Financial Strategies Group
- Access to The Baker Group’s proprietary digital solutions
- Ability for buyers and sellers to measure balance sheet impact
- Ease the transfer of information and documents between parties
- Full regulatory support provided by a former examiner
Baker Loan Team
Andrew Okolski
Associate Partner
Andrew Okolski is the Director of Credit Union Strategies at The Baker Group. He joined the firm in 2018 to oversee the design and implementation of ALM regulatory and wholesale market strategies for financial institutions. He works directly with clients across the country in a broad range of areas including education, portfolio management, interest rate risk management, strategic planning, and regulatory guidance. With well over a decade of loan trading experience, Andy works with our buyers and sellers to ensure that their transactions properly align with their overall ALM positions. Andy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Long Island University – C.W. Post. He is a registered representative and general securities principal with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Gregory Tomaszewicz
Associate Partner
Greg is an associate partner and senior financial strategist with The Baker Group. Since 2006, he has helped institutions across the country to evaluate their balance sheet risks and opportunities. He currently works to develop new analytics to aid clients in meeting the challenges of an ever-changing economic environment. Greg takes a strategic and consultative approach with executives, with a focus on balance sheet management, liquidity and loan strategies, investment portfolio management and strategies, and education on all aspects of the balance sheet.
Jeff Varner
Senior Loan Trader
Jeff Varner serves as The Baker Group’s Senior Loan Trader. Since 2010, he has helped financial institutions manage their loan portfolios and has assisted depository institutions in managing their loan balance sheets. Since 2016, he has averaged closing 170 transactions per year. Prior to his role as a loan trader, Jeff spent over twenty years in fixed income institutional business in mortgage business and fixed institutional sales. He is a registered FINRA representative and general sales security principal and holds his series 7 and 63 licenses. Jeff earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management and public policy, with a minor in economics, from New England College.
Chris Dahlgren
Senior Financial Analyst
Chris Dahlgren is a senior financial analyst with The Baker Group Loan Solutions regulatory team. His extensive background as a principal examiner, combined with is proven ability to work strategically with financial institutions, makes him a valued asset for our clients nationwide. Prior to joining The Baker Group, Chris was a managing director for a financial investment company, providing unparalleled guidance and direction to senior executives, ALCOs, and board members for the financial institutions they served. He also served as the director of regulatory affairs for national securities firm. Chris graduated from LeMoyne College, earning dual degrees in finance and applied management analysis. He holds a master’s degree in security analysis and portfolio management from Creighton University.
Katy Williams
Head Loan Coordinator
Katy Williams is the Head Loan Coordinator at The Baker Group. Since joining the firm in 2011, she has worked with various institutions, ensuring the loan process runs smoothly. Her highest priority is client relationships, working to close loan transactions in a timely and efficient manner. Prior to becoming Head Loan Coordinator, Katy worked for the firm as a fixed income trading associate.
For additional information or to discuss potential buy or sell inquiries, please contact a Baker Group representative.
1601 NW Expressway, 21st Floor
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Phone: 405.415.7200
Toll-Free: 800.937.2257
Fax: 405.415.7392
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