BAMA was founded in 1953 by three men who belonged to the East Bay chapter of the SRA (Society for Real Estate Appraisers). During an SRA meeting at the Don Hotel in Richmond, they adjourned to a meeting room and BAMA was born. These founders of BAMA include John J. Peters, Joseph Duffel and Donald W. Mitchell. They contacted several other individuals including George Dodge, Roger C. Olson, Robert B. Harrison, Richard Duhring, Lynn Wilson, Lloyd King, among others. The first BAMA meeting was held shortly thereafter at the Emil Villa Restaurant in Oakland. It was attended by 20 people and John Peters was elected the first President of BAMA. The first speaker was Wilbur Warner of Western Mortgage. The second speaker at the following meeting was Milt Owens of Owens Financial.

Since that time, BAMA has met continuously on the second Tuesday of each month. BAMA Membership has grown to over 300 Commercial Real Estate Finance professionals, the largest Real Estate Finance Group in the Bay Area. For many years, the monthly Dinner Meetings were held at Castagnola’s Restaurant in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco. After each dinner, a guest speaker or panel discusses various real estate financing topics. Information about upcoming meetings can be found on our Events page.

Past BAMA Presidents

Friday, May 5, 2000 – 12:45 PM | Jack’s Restaurant   San Francisco, CA

30 BAMA Past Presidents from 1953-1999 and the 2000 President were present for this picture, for a total of 31 Presidents – a record attendance at the annual BAMA Past Presidents’ Luncheon and Meeting!
Click here for complete list of attendees pictured.