KHADIJA ZULFIQAR
CIBC
Irvine,CA
1
Certification
6
years of professional experience
Commercial real estate finance professional with 6+ years of experience across credit underwriting, originations, asset management, portfolio management, and distressed loan workouts. Experienced in evaluating and managing performing, watchlist, and non-performing CRE credits throughout the loan lifecycle. Strong background in financial analysis, credit risk assessment, transaction structuring, due diligence, borrower and sponsor relationships, and complex loan resolutions. Proven ability to partner across relationship management, credit, syndications, legal, and investment teams to support new business, portfolio performance, and risk management.
Work History
Workout & Special Loans Risk Manager
1 Year 8 Months- Managed distressed and higher-risk commercial real estate loan portfolio; monitored borrower performance, covenant compliance, cash flow, and collateral valuations to ensure risk mitigation
- Negotiated with borrowers, legal counsel, brokers, and internal stakeholders to resolve troubled loans, achieving favorable resolutions (loan restructurings, deed-in-lieu, foreclosure, short sale, note sale, etc.) and enhancing portfolio stability
- Reviewed environmental reports, property condition assessments, and financial statements to identify emerging risks and recommended effective mitigation strategies
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and documentation standards across assigned portfolio
Credit Associate & Investment Manager
6 Months- Underwrote commercial real estate debt and structured investments across senior mortgage, bridge, construction, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, A/B note, and whole-loan structures, performing financial analysis, valuation, debt sizing, and return analysis to assess investment viability.
- Evaluated capital structures and capital stacks, including leverage, LTV, LTC, DSCR, debt yield, sponsor equity, attachment points, and subordinate debt to assess credit risk and downside protection.
- Prepared Investment Memorandums outlining proposed transaction structures, underwriting assumptions, pricing and returns, collateral analysis, key risks, and mitigants for Investment Committee and investor review.
- Conducted comprehensive due diligence on new investments, loan acquisitions and syndications, including review of borrower/sponsor financials, property performance, appraisals, environmental and property condition reports, market fundamentals, and transaction documentation.
- Worked with originators, sponsors, lenders, brokers, and internal investment teams throughout underwriting and transaction execution.
Enhanced Oversight Associate (Pre-workout)
7 Months- Monitored a portfolio of performing commercial real estate loans with elevated or deteriorating risk ratings, identifying early warning signs and potential migration to non-performing status.
- Proactively reviewed performing loans with satisfactory risk ratings to identify emerging credit concerns and credits at risk of becoming troubled or requiring enhanced oversight.
- Analyzed borrower performance, property-level operating results, debt service coverage, liquidity, covenant compliance, market conditions, and other credit metrics to assess changes in risk.
- Identified deteriorating credit trends and recommended loans for increased monitoring, risk-rating changes, or transfer to special assets/workout management when appropriate.
- Partnered with relationship managers, credit teams, and other stakeholders to evaluate portfolio risk and develop strategies for higher-risk and watchlist credits.
Commercial Real Estate Originations Associate
1 Year 5 Months- Sourced and executed commercial real estate loans to support US West Coast regional growth strategy
- Developed and maintained strategic relationships with originators, brokers, and investors to drive new business pipeline
- Collaborated with underwriting and syndication teams on credit presentations and portfolio strategy to align with investment goals
Commercial Real Estate Underwriting & Relationship Management Analyst
2 Years- Underwrote new commercial real estate loans and managed credits throughout the loan lifecycle, from initial underwriting and due diligence through ongoing portfolio monitoring, annual reviews, and credit risk assessment.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Graduated May 2020
Skills
Commercial Real Estate Finance
Credit Underwriting
Asset Management
Portfolio Management
Loan Originations
Relationship Management
Credit Risk Assessment
Financial Analysis
Cash Flow Analysis
Loan Structuring
Due Diligence
Appraisal Review
Covenant Monitoring
Loan Workouts
Loan Modifications & Restructurings
Special Assets / Special Servicing
Distressed Asset Management
Syndications
Investment & Credit Memoranda
Borrower & Sponsor Relations
Stakeholder Negotiation
Portfolio Risk Monitoring
Argus Enterprise
Certification
CIBC Credit Training & Commercial Banking Certification | Completed May 2020
Timeline
Workout & Special Loans Risk Manager
CIBC
12.2024 - 08.2026Read More
Credit Associate & Investment Manager
Kairos Investment Management Company
05.2024 - 11.2024Read More
Enhanced Oversight Associate (Pre-workout)
CIBC
10.2023 - 05.2024Read More
Commercial Real Estate Originations Associate
CIBC
05.2022 - 10.2023Read More
Commercial Real Estate Underwriting & Relationship Management Analyst
CIBC
05.2020 - 05.2022Read More
Hunter College, City University of New York
Bachelor of Science from Political Science
Read More