1. Room for growth

The ideal operating bank doesn’t just meet your business’s current needs. It needs to scale with your business. 

“In my experience, it’s common to seek out a bank to meet today’s needs, but what sets us apart is our dedication to being part of a client’s team and our capabilities to address their future growth,” Da Silva said. “You want to avoid outgrowing your financial institution.” 

Consider a commercial real estate investor planning to adopt tools to run their business more smoothly, such as property management software or an ERP system. If their bank can’t integrate accounts with those tools, the investor won’t fully reap the benefits. An investor planning to scale up to larger properties, meanwhile, will want to work with a bank with the capacity to make larger loans. 

2. Commercial real estate expertise

An operating bank with commercial real estate experience can help investors find banking solutions tailored to their needs. Take rent payments: There are many different ways multifamily owners collect rent, depending on their technology infrastructure, renters’ payment preferences and more. There’s no one approach that will be the most efficient for every business. 

But an operating bank with a dedicated team of experts that specialize in real estate can suggest ways to make existing processes more efficient or maximize liquidity. 

“We have the privilege of working closely with our clients, including some who manage rent collection internally and others who use third-party rent payment solutions and property management software,” Da Silva said. 

Experience with commercial real estate businesses of similar scale matters, too. 

“What I’ve always found intriguing about working in the commercial real estate sector is that while one might assume the products and services are fairly uniform, they can vary significantly based on factors such as volume, complexity and control measures,” Da Silva said. 

3. Fraud prevention

In 2023, 80% of organizations reported they experienced actual or attempted fraud, according to the 2024 AFP Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report. Commercial real estate owners and operators should understand what their bank can do to help protect against fraud, from rent payments fraud to wire fraud. 

Built-in controls and technology are critical, but a team experienced in fraud protection can play a broader role. 

“There are various forms of fraud, and it evolves. Your bank should help you stay up to date with industry insights and educational resources you can share with your team and use to strengthen your processes,” Da Silva said. 

4. Consultative approach

Commercial real estate businesses should look for an operating bank with a team willing to dive deep to understand their unique situation, Da Silva said. 

“In order to effectively address a client’s needs, it’s essential to engage in a conversation and take a customer-centric approach,” she said.  

It’s important to have those conversations regularly to ensure a client’s solutions evolve with shifts in the market and their goals. 

5. Ongoing enhancements

Market conditions and technology change quickly. Your operating bank should be keeping up. 

“Be prepared to ask about recent industry shifts or whether they’ve made any updates on the banking side,” Da Silva said. “We’re constantly making investments in the business based on client feedback.”