FIDELITY BANCORP FUNDING APPOINTS CHARLIE WOO AS PRESIDENT OF ITS PRIVATE LENDING GROUP

SANTA ANA, CALIF., June 09, 2023 — Fidelity Bancorp Funding Inc., a leading financial institution specializing in commercial real estate, multifamily and single-family residential bridge loans and permanent financing, is pleased to announce the appointment of Charlie Woo as President of its private lending group, Fidelity Bridge Loans LLC. In this role, Woo will be responsible for expanding the companies Bridge Lending division. 

Woo brings over 27 years of real estate finance experience to Fidelity Bancorp Funding Inc., most recently serving as Vice Chairman in Wells Fargo’s Corporate & Investment Banking division. His achievements at Wells Fargo includes becoming the youngest Vice Chair in the firm's history where he specialized in mergers & acquisitions, as well as debt and equity capital raises for clients across the United States. He led Wells Fargo’s U.S. regional investment banking coverage group and demonstrated remarkable results in the specialty finance and alternative lending sectors.

“Regional banks originated 62 percent of all commercial real estate loans in 2022,” said David Frosh, CEO of Fidelity Bancorp Funding. “Higher interest rates and the resulting balance sheet stress has caused these banks to tighten their purse strings which has created a significant growth opportunity for private lenders like Fidelity Bridge Loans.”
Frosh continued by saying “We are confident in Charlie's ability to lead the company's efforts in expanding this business. At Wells Fargo, Charlie's team advised on more M&A deals in private and alternative lending than any other advisor on Wall Street.”

"I have followed the leadership team at Fidelity for 14 years," said Woo. "I was especially attracted Fidelity Bancorp Funding’s consistent success as a private lender and the conservative nature of their fund. The company is well positioned to provide an excellent product to borrowers and continued outstanding returns to investors."

Throughout his career Woo has held significant roles within the industry. He led the western United States for Silver Point Capital, one of the largest and most successful hedge funds focused on private credit and special situation investments. Woo also served as a senior investment banker at Citigroup and gained valuable experience in the M&A group at Morgan Stanley early in his career. Woo holds an A.B. degree from Harvard University and also attended Harvard Business School.