George Fraguio has been serving as the Vice President of Bridge Lending at Vaster since its inception in 2017. His substantial expertise in mortgage banking and real estate makes him an integral part of the organization and a trusted partner for real estate developers and foreign investors seeking opportunities in the thriving South Florida real estate market.
Before his tenure at Vaster, George compiled an impressive track record of success in the industry. He spent 18 years in the field of mortgage banking, having worked with renowned institutions such as BBVA Compass, Bank of America, and JP Morgan Chase. In addition, he dedicated 13 years to real estate sales and development with esteemed companies including Fortune International, LeFrak, and Starwood.
During his time as a Senior Loan Officer at JP Morgan Chase, George originated more than $33 million in loans over a span of two years, and none of these loans fell into first-payment default or foreclosure. Subsequently, he became the preferred lender at the Sandlakes Condominium complex in Orlando, Florida, where he successfully originated over $3.5 million in loans.
His role as a Sales Manager at Bank of America was equally impactful, as he collaborated with a team to originate over $56,000,000 in loans. George took the initiative to launch special marketing tours to Latin America to engage foreign real estate investors, alongside overseeing multiple teams and projects.
As the Vice President Branch Manager at Indymac Bank in Coral Gables, Florida, George’s team originated over $18,000,000 in loans in less than a year and a half. His responsibilities extended to negotiating premises and leases for the bank.
In his role as an End Loan Specialist at Fortune Development Sales, George specialized in exploring, identifying, and managing residential loan options for luxury high-rise condominium developers. He successfully managed five different projects from inception to completion, handling legal aspects, construction, and contracts.
Furthermore, George held key positions at the Fortune International Group, where he served as the Director of Sales and the Director of Real Estate Financing. As the Director of Sales, he played a pivotal role in the Opera Tower project, overseeing marketing, sales, and financing activities.
George’s educational background includes graduating from Miami Dade College in 1992 with an Associate’s Degree in Marketing Communication. During his time at the college, he was actively involved in various literary pursuits, serving as the Section Editor of the Metropolis Newspaper and contributing editor to the Metamorphosis literary magazine.
George’s extensive experience spans nine years as a Realtor Associate and Finance Concierge with Fortune International Realty, where he specialized in commercial transactions, developer financing, and collaborating with foreign national investors. This background uniquely positioned him to spearhead the launch of Fortune’s in-house financing division, now known as Vaster. In his role at Vaster, George played a pivotal role in its expansion by building a team of experienced originators and originating over $100 million for Vaster’s bridge division.
George Fraguio embodies the message of pursuing one’s destiny, much like the protagonist in Paulo Coelho’s bestseller, “The Alchemist.” He found his passion for real estate during college and has remained devoted to the industry for nearly two decades. For Fraguio, being able to assist people in realizing their dreams is incredibly rewarding. With his wealth of knowledge, extensive experience, and unwavering dedication to top-notch customer service, Fraguio plays a crucial role in ensuring successful outcomes for each of his client transactions.