Arbor was founded by Chief Executive Officer Ivan Kaufman.  In 1983, he founded Arbor National Holdings, Inc. and its premier lending subsidiary Arbor Mortgage, Inc., a leading provider of residential mortgage loans in the tri-state region.  Under Mr. Kaufman’s direction, Arbor Mortgage became a public company and grew to 25 branches in eight states before it was sold to Bank of America Corporation in 1995.  Mr. Kaufman sold Arbor National Holdings but retained the commercial side of the business, creating the platform for Arbor Commercial Mortgage and eventually, Arbor Realty Trust.