James Turner
Managing Director, US Commercial Real Estate
CIBC Bank USA
Chicago
James Turner, Managing Director at CIBC, has consistently made a positive impact on the city of Chicago and its commercial real estate market during his more than 25 years of experience in the industry.
Turner’s career began at LaSalle Bank, where he built a strong foundation in real estate finance. This expertise deepened when he joined CIBC in 2007, and his impact has been transformative. Over the last 17 years, the Midwest Commercial Real Estate team at CIBC has achieved remarkable growth, increasing net deposits by over 300% to exceed $5.2 billion.
As leader of CIBC’s Commercial Real Estate Central Region—one of the bank’s four regional teams—Turner has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, client service, and team development. Under his leadership, the team has grown by more than 15% annually over the last eight years.
With a focus on fostering a collaborative and supportive culture, Turner has built a team with exceptionally low attrition rates, a testament to the environment of trust and respect he has cultivated.
Turner’s team started with just 10 strategic clients when he joined CIBC. Today, Turner and his team members manage relationships with more than 250 strategic commercial real estate clients across the Midwest, facilitating financing for billions of dollars in underlying projects. This growth has been driven by a creative, relationship-based approach that prioritizes long-term partnerships and client success.
“Real estate is a close-knit community,” Turner said. “My clients and colleagues are more than business connections—they become friends and, in many cases, family. It’s a very connected community that I am honored to be part of.”
Turner’s success is deeply rooted in collaboration, both within his team and with his clients.
“Our clients are our partners, and success is built on trust and partnership,” Turner said. “It’s about respectful collaboration and finding the best path to achieve a common goal.”
During recent years of market volatility, Turner and his team adopted a holistic approach, considering clients’ broader portfolios and market dynamics to guide them through complex decisions and capitalize on opportunities.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Turner is a dedicated civic leader and active contributor to his community. He has served as a Committee Member for Community Investment Corporation, a Board Member at World Business Chicago, and maintains memberships with NAIOP and ICSC.
Turner is also the Past Chair and Board Member of the Chicago Loop Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting Chicago’s downtown business district as a vibrant destination. During his tenure as Chair, Turner led the group through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, working tirelessly to support businesses in the Loop and fostering collaboration among members.
His leadership helped the Chicago Loop Alliance achieve a 60% occupancy rate in downtown Chicago, a recovery benchmark that surpasses many other downtowns nationwide.
Turner’s connection to Chicago runs deep.
“Chicago is a special place, and I am lucky to live and work in this city,” he said. “I raised my kids here, and I hope they’ve learned about resilience and the power of setting goals, creative problem-solving, and collaboration.”
