Each year, Midwest Real Estate News elects a new class into its Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame. Here is a look at the busy career of one of our newest inductees, Paul Schmidt, executive vice president, head of commercial real estate and facilities and Twin Cities market president at the Minneapolis office of Associated Bank.
With nearly 40 years of banking experience, Paul Schmidt joined Associated Bank in 2015 and is the Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Real Estate and Facilities and Twin Cities Market President, overseeing and directing all aspects of CRE lending including construction, interim-bridge, acquisition and term financing, along with facilities. As Twin Cities Market President, Schmidt also provides overall leadership in the company’s effort to grow its full portfolio of financial products and services in the Twin Cities.
Though there are many aspects of the job that he enjoys, the few that stand out to Schmidt are the relationships and friendships he’s developed over his career. “I have had the privilege of working with many long-term committed colleagues who challenge me and inspire me to be a better person,” he said. “I also value working with and helping both clients and colleagues succeed. There is no better feeling than a happy client.”
To say he’s is successful at what he does would be an understatement, and when asked about the factors that have contributed to his success, two in specific stand out.
“My biggest success has come from the people I work with,” Schmidt said. “Working with the best colleagues and clients has inspired me to be better both personally and professionally. I’ve also taken a consistent approach throughout my tenure, allowing for growth.”
Yet his success hasn’t been met without challenges—especially in the last few years. One of the biggest has been uncertainty, while also managing a large group of people working both hybrid and remote, Schmidt said. It took lots of patience, resiliency and collaboration to find the best work style that was effective for all, but now the team is stronger than ever.
Schmidt serves on the executive leadership team for Associated Banc-Corp and is active in industry organizations including the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks and International Shopping Center Association. He also serves on the board of HopeKids Minnesota.
