Brandt, a 24-year veteran of the industry, was head of RBS' West Coast Real Estate Finance Group, where he directed all real estate investments in the western U.S. and financed over $11 billion in first mortgage, mezzanine and equity investments for the company. Brandt also managed two offices that generated over $100 million in annual revenues, according to Buchanan. Prior to RBS, he served as Managing Partner for Menlo Equities in Los Angeles where he acquired, developed and financed suburban office buildings.

The addition is in response to steady growth, says Buchanan president Robert Brunswick. Buchanan Street partners has invested $4.6 billion of equity in joint real estate nationally and has structured $12.4 billion in debt financing. The company also has been awarded contracts to manage three funds and seven office properties that were formerly held by a Bank of America Corporation affiliate.

Buchanan senior managing director Tom Sherlock says Brandt's 20 years of experience as both a principal and a debt provider in the Los Angeles area "makes him uniquely equipped for a smooth transition into the Buchanan business platform and to help drive it to the next level."

For Buchanan, Brandt will lead all production, marketing and branding efforts in Los Angeles while also serving clients throughout the Southwestern United States and Southern California. One of his charges will be to help the company continue to close deals in the tightened credit market.

Brandt could not be reached Tuesday morning for comment. In a prepared statement, he says he looks forward to bringing to bear at Buchanan his experience in real estate, investment and structured finance, "as well as my Southern California relationships to the firm."