CHARLOTTE, NC—In a move to increase its presence in the Southeast, Walker & Dunlop Inc. reports it has opened a new office here. The commercial finance firm already has locations in Atlanta, Boca Raton, Nashville, New Orleans, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.

The company states that in addition to loan origination, the Charlotte office will also contain much of the credit operations for Walker & Dunlop's new CMBS conduit.

The Charlotte market presents a large lending opportunity fueled by the steady decrease in unemployment and North Carolina's successful efforts in attracting large firms to Charlotte's University Research Park, the company states in its announcement.

"As the Southeast continues to see job and population growth, Walker & Dunlop's new Charlotte office expands our national footprint and gives us a day-to-day presence in this exciting metropolitan area," says Willy Walker, chairman and CEO of Walker & Dunlop.

"There is a huge volume of commercial real estate loans set to mature between 2015 and 2017 that present a great opportunity for me and our company,” says Walker & Dunlop Vice President Brett McGurie, who is based in the firm's Charlotte office. “I am excited to open Walker & Dunlop's newest office and bring Walker & Dunlop's financing solutions to existing and future clients in Charlotte and throughout the Southeast."