CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Grandbridge Real Estate Capital announced that Matthew G. Rocco has been named executive vice president and national loan production manager. Rocco will assume his new responsibilities immediately and work with his predecessor John W. Davis until his retirement on Dec. 31.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Grandbridge, a subsidiary of Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), has a broad investor base that includes insurance companies, CMBS investors, pension fund advisors, commercial banks and capital markets investors, as well as its proprietary lending platform, BB&T Real Estate Funding.

The company is a Fannie Mae DUS (Delegated Underwriting and Servicing) lender, a Freddie Mac program Plus Seller/Servicer and Targeted Affordable Housing lender, and an approved FHA Multifamily Accelerated Processor (MAP) and LEAN healthcare lender.

Rocco, who will be based here at Grandbridge’s corporate office at 227 West Trade St., also will retain his current responsibilities as manager of the Atlanta loan production office. A University of Alabama graduate, Rocco has been employed with Grandbridge for the past 13 years. He is a licensed real estate broker, a member of CCIM, IREM, ULI, MBA, and he serves on the board of governors of The Real Estate Investment Advisory Counsel.

"It is with enthusiasm that we announce Matthew’s new role," said Grandbridge CEO Thomas S. Dennard. "He has proven his mettle in preparing for this opportunity. Matt has enjoyed a distinguished career with GREC as a producer and office manager in both Southwest Florida and more recently in Atlanta, where he demonstrated his corporate leadership skills. We look forward to Matt relocating to Charlotte by mid-year 2012 in his new role."

Davis’ career has spanned nearly four decades, beginning in 1973 in Minneapolis. He joined GREC in 2007 and will serve out his additional 12-month term on the GREC Board of Managers.

"Working with J.D., I have found that he demonstrates the utmost professionalism, integrity and intelligence," Dennard said. "We are pleased that he will continue to serve as a consultant, working out of the Minneapolis loan production office as a resource for me, his successor and the Minneapolis staff. I am proud to say that J.D. finished his career directing our 24 production-office network effectively, productively and profitably. He will continue to be a valuable resource to our employees and our executive team."

Grandbridge arranges permanent commercial and multifamily real estate loans; services loan portfolios; and provides asset and portfolio management, as well as real estate brokerage services. Grandbridge has a current servicing portfolio of more than $24 billion and represents approximately 100 capital providers. More information about the company is available at www.gbrecap.com.

BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) is one of the largest financial services holding companies in the U.S. with $159 billion in assets and market capitalization of $18.7 billion, as of June 30, 2011. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., the company operates approximately 1,800 financial centers in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and offers a full range of consumer and commercial banking, securities brokerage, asset management, mortgage and insurance products and services. More information about BB&T and its full line of products and services is available at www.BBT.com.