Walker & Dunlop

Last updated
Walker & Dunlop, Inc.
Company type Public
NYSE:  WD
S&P 600 component
Industry Commercial Real Estate
Founded1937;88 years ago (1937)
Headquarters Bethesda, Maryland
Area served
United States
Key people
Willy Walker (CEO & chairman of the board)
Steve Theobald(COO)
Greg Florkowski (CFO)
Dan Groman(General Counsel)
Paula Pryor (EVP & CHRO)
Products Capital Markets
Valuations
Loan Servicing
Investment Management
Investment Banking
Research
RevenueIncrease2.svg $1.1 billion (2024)
Increase2.svg $0.108 billion (2024)
Total assets Increase2.svg $4.381 billion (2024)
Total equity Increase2.svg $1.759 billion (2024)
Number of employees
1,400+ in 2025
Website www.walkerdunlop.com
Footnotes /references
[1]

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. is one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory services firms in the United States and internationally. [2]

Contents

History

In 1937, Oliver Walker and Laird Dunlop founded the company. [3]

In 2000, the grandson of Oliver Walker, William M. Walker joined the board of directors. In 2003, he became an executive vice president, by 2005 he was the president and by 2007 he became chairman and chief executive officer of the company. [4] [5]

In 2009, the company acquired commercial lender Column Guaranteed, a subsidiary of Credit Suisse. [6]

In 2010, the company became a public company via an initial public offering. [7]

In 2011, the company launched a bridge lending program.

in September 2012, the company acquired CWCapital for $234 million. [8] [9]

In November 2014, the company acquired Johnson Capital's loan origination and servicing platform. [10] [11]

In April 2015, the company acquired Engler Financial Group, investment advisory and brokerage firm focused on providing investment sales services to owners of multifamily properties. [12]

In March 2018, the company acquired JCR Capital Investment Corporation, a Registered Investment Adviser. [13]

In November 2018, the company acquired iCap Realty Advisors. [14]

In 2019, the company acquired Enodo, an artificial intelligence and technology firm. [15]

In January 2020, the company launched an appraisal joint venture with GeoPhy, Apprise by Walker & Dunlop. [16]

In February 2020, the company acquired AKS Partners, one of New York City’s premier, independent capital markets advisory firms. [17]

In March 2020, the company launched the Walker Webcast, a weekly webcast where CEO, Willy Walker, hosts a diverse network of leaders as they share wisdom that cuts across industry lines. [18]

In May 2020, Walker & Dunlop closed its largest transaction in the company's history with a $2.4 billion Fannie Mae Credit Facility to refinance 67 multifamily properties in the Washington D.C. area. [19]

In February 2021, the company acquired FourPoint Investment Sales Partners, a boutique brokerage firm specializing in student housing and conventional multifamily properties. [20]

In May 2021, Walker & Dunlop announced the acquisition of industry-leading housing research and investment banking firm Zelman & Associates. [21]

In December 2021, Walker & Dunlop announced the acquisition of Alliant Capital. [22]

In 2022, Walker & Dunlop integrated a high-performing land brokerage group with extensive experience in urban, suburban, and mixed-use development land. The acquisition enhanced our capabilities in land sales.

In 2024, Walker & Dunlop brought on an experienced hospitality property sales and advisory group, broadening our platform to include hotel and resort transactions. This move positioned us to better serve clients in the leisure, business travel, and tourism sectors. [23]

In February 2025, Walker & Dunlop expanded its international footprint with the launch of its London-based office. The London location marks the firm's first international office in its 87-year history. [24]

In April 2025, Walker & Dunlop added a specialized data infrastructure advisory team focused on assets such as data centers, and digital infrastructure. [25]


References

  1. "Walker & Dunlop, Inc. 2024 Form 10-K Annual Report". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  2. "About Us | Creating Communities with Ideas & Capital | Walker & Dunlop". www.walkerdunlop.com. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  3. "OLIVER WALKER, REALTY FIRM FOUNDER, DIES". The Washington Post . February 4, 1990.
  4. Banister, Jon (May 7, 2018). "Beyond The Bio: 16 Questions With Walker & Dunlop CEO Willy Walker". Bisnow Media .
  5. Heath, Thomas (September 20, 2015). "Bethesda's banker to real estate: Willy Walker transforms financial firm". The Washington Post .
  6. Plumb, Tierney (January 30, 2009). "Walker & Dunlop merges with Column Guaranteed". American City Business Journals .
  7. "Walker & Dunlop prices IPO". American City Business Journals . December 15, 2010.
  8. Douglas, Danielle (June 8, 2012). "Walker & Dunlop to acquire rival lender CWCapital". The Washington Post .
  9. Echols, Tucker (September 5, 2012). "Walker & Dunlop closes CWCapital purchase for $234 million". American City Business Journals .
  10. "Walker & Dunlop Completes Acquisition of Johnson Capital" (Press release). PR Newswire. November 3, 2014.
  11. Clabaugh, Jeff (September 30, 2014). "Walker & Dunlop acquires Johnson Capital loan business". American City Business Journals .
  12. "Biz Journals". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  13. Gilgore, Sara (March 15, 2018). "Walker & Dunlop to acquire Denver-based investment adviser". American City Business Journals .
  14. Maake, Katishi (November 2, 2018). "Walker & Dunlop acquires Atlanta-based mortgage banking firm, taking aim at $35B per year". American City Business Journals .
  15. "Walker & Dunlop August 7, 2019" (PDF). August 7, 2019.
  16. Dey, Nellie (February 5, 2020). "Walker & Dunlop Looks to Modernize the Multifamily Valuation Business with Apprise". REBusiness .
  17. "Walker & Dunlop Acquires Aaron Appel's AKS Capital Partners". The Real Deal New York. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  18. "Walker Webcasts - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  19. "Walker & Dunlop closes largest transaction in company's history – REJournals". rejournals.com. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  20. "Walker & Dunlop expands investment sales team with acquisition of student housing team". REJournals. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  21. "Walker & Dunlop to Acquire IB Firm Zelman & Associates". ConnectCRE. 2021-05-06. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  22. "Walker & Dunlop (WD) Buys Alliant, Boosts Housing Financing". Yahoo Finance. 2021-12-20. Retrieved 2021-12-20.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  23. "Walker & Dunlop expands real estate services to hospitality market https://www.hoteldive.com/news/walker-dunlop-hospitality-investment-sales/730355/#:~:text=Dive%20Brief:,Dunlop%20detailed%20in%20a%20release". Hotel Dive.{{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)
  24. "Walker & Dunlop Expands Internationally With Addition of London-Based Team". Archived from the original on 2025-03-08. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  25. "Walker & Dunlop Bolsters Digital Infrastructure Advisory Services with Addition of Andrew Kaskel https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250409659896/en/Walker-Dunlop-Bolsters-Digital-Infrastructure-Advisory-Services-with-Addition-of-Andrew-Kaskel". Business Wire.{{cite news}}: External link in |title= (help)