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Across Chicago, Milwaukee and communities throughout the Midwest, vacant commercial buildings tell two stories: one of shifting markets — and one of opportunity. Former gyms, restaurants and big-box stores sit empty, waiting for the right vision to give them new purpose.

Successful redevelopment requires more than capital. It requires a commercial real estate partner who understands entrepreneurial decision-making, complex approvals and nontraditional financing structures.

Signature Bank’s Commercial Real Estate team partners with business owners and investors who are reimagining underutilized spaces for new uses that serve surrounding communities. We also work with clients developing new projects from the ground up or refinancing existing properties — staying engaged from concept through completion.

Led by Steven Vernon III, SVP and Group Head of Commercial Real Estate, the team brings both discipline and creativity to projects that demand thoughtful execution.

Banking built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs

Founded by entrepreneurs in 2006, Signature Bank brings an entrepreneurial mindset to commercial real estate lending. Rather than viewing unconventional projects as obstacles, our team approaches them as calculated opportunities — when supported by clear vision, planning and partnership.

Many of today’s most compelling developments involve repositioning properties that no longer fit their original purpose. These projects often require flexibility, trust and early involvement from a lender.

“The thing about real estate is that there’s always risk,” Vernon noted. “You have to believe in the property, believe in the borrower, and believe they can execute on their vision.”

That belief – grounded in careful underwriting and deep experience – has helped support projects that reshape neighborhoods and create lasting impact.

Life-saving care restores vitality to a vacant fitness building

One recent example is the transformation of a vacant LA Fitness building in Naperville, IL, into a modern surgery center and outpatient medical office.

Rather than leaving a large empty building unused, Capital Healthcare Properties and HSG Medical saw potential. Their vision required more than cosmetic updates — it involved a full reimagining of the property, navigating approvals and aligning the project with a clear community healthcare need.

Photo credit: HSG Medical via REjournals.com.

Signature Bank partnered with the development team early, structuring financing that aligned with the project’s complexity and timeline. The result is a healthcare facility that will deliver critical outpatient services while revitalizing a formerly dormant site.

Projects like this aren’t simple. Medical facilities introduce additional layers of complexity in planning, construction and regulatory approvals. But the right banking partner can play an essential role in helping investors move complex projects forward.

“Redevelopment projects of this nature are inherently entrepreneurial,” noted Vernon. “When successful, the outcome can change the landscape in positive and lasting ways, particularly when they serve a broader community need.”

Daniel Ahlering, managing partner for Capital Healthcare Properties, credits Signature Bank with embracing their long-term vision.

“We entered one of the toughest and most volatile commercial real estate markets since the 2008 financial crisis,” said Ahlering. “At a time when most banks were hesitant to onboard new client relationships, Signature Bank recognized our track record and believed in our vision. They didn’t just understand our potential; they actively partnered with us by financing our first three projects.”

Turning a closed brewery into a new entertainment destination

In Chicago’s River North neighborhood, another vacant property is being repositioned — this time as an experiential entertainment destination.

The former Rock Bottom Brewery, which shut down in January 2023, is set to reopen in summer 2026 as an F1 Arcade – a dining and racing simulator concept inspired by Formula 1. The project transforms an empty restaurant into a high-energy destination that blends food, technology and entertainment.

Photo credit: whats_goodchicago via Instagram.

Signature Bank provided financing to support redevelopment of the prominent location, helping ownership move quickly in a competitive urban market. The project reflects a broader shift in retail and dining toward experience-driven concepts – and the importance of working with a lender who understands how these evolving business models perform in real-world markets.

Vernon notes that many retail and restaurant projects today succeed by creating memorable experiences versus simply filling vacant square footage.

A different kind of partnership 

These redevelopment examples share a common thread: long-term partnership.

Signature Bank’s Commercial Real Estate team prioritizes direct communication, responsiveness and access to decision-makers. Projects are evaluated individually — considering the borrower, the real estate investment strategy and how the project ultimately serves the surrounding community.

That relationship-based approach is especially valuable in today’s environment, where repositioning and adaptive reuse play an increasingly important role in commercial real estate strategy.

“When you have the right partner, you can reimagine what a space can be,” Vernon said. “And when that happens, you’re not just filling vacancies, you’re creating something that lasts.”

Bringing ideas and spaces to life in creative ways 

From healthcare facilities to experiential retail, Signature Bank supports business owners and real estate investors across asset types and markets. The common thread is a shared ability to see opportunity in underutilized properties – and a disciplined path to bringing those visions to life.

“We’ve worked with Signature Bank for over 15 years, and they’ve been true partners every step of the way,” said Kage Brown, chief investment officer and managing partner, Hubbard Street Group. “Steve Vernon and Kevin Bastuga have consistently delivered, providing thoughtful guidance, competitive lending terms and efficient closings. Their team understands our business and has been instrumental in our continued growth.”

For 20 years, Signature Bank has supported entrepreneurs who see possibility where others see risk. That mindset continues to guide how we approach commercial real estate – with clarity, creativity and long-term commitment.

Let’s start the conversation

Redevelopment begins with vision — and the right CRE banking partner.

If you’re evaluating a redevelopment project, exploring a repositioning opportunity, or considering refinancing or new development, connect with Steven Vernon to discuss how Signature Bank approaches complex commercial real estate transactions.Reach Steve at svernon@signaturebank.bank to start the conversation and explore what’s possible.

When Signature Bank opened its doors in August 2006, three entrepreneurs set out with a clear and somewhat unconventional vision: build a commercial bank rooted in relationships – not transactions.

Mick O’Rourke, Kevin Bastuga and Bryan Duncan were seasoned commercial bankers, but they were entrepreneurs at heart. They raised capital, wrote a business plan and left established institutions to create something they believed was missing in the market – a bank built for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.

Twenty years later, that conviction still defines Signature Bank.

Through economic expansion, recession, a global pandemic and industry-wide liquidity turbulence, the bank has remained grounded in the same belief: long-term success is built on trust – and trust is built through relationships.

Relationships with a capital “R”

From the beginning, the founders envisioned something different.

They saw privately held companies and multi-generational family businesses searching for banking partners who understood not just their balance sheets, but their stories. They believed business owners preferred to work with people who had taken risks themselves – who understood payroll pressure, succession planning and the weight of long-term decision-making.

That entrepreneurial empathy became the cornerstone of the bank’s model.

“Business owners appreciate when their partners understand their world,” said Kevin Bastuga. “We launched our own business. We’ve built payroll. We understand the pressures. That perspective impacts how you relate to clients.”

Relationship banking at Signature Bank has never meant proximity alone. It means access to decision-makers. It means listening before advising. It means evaluating opportunities individually rather than through rigid formulas. It means staying present – especially when circumstances become difficult.

That philosophy has been tested repeatedly.

During the Great Recession, the founders ensured that Signature Bank maintained disciplined underwriting while continuing to support qualified borrowers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, teams worked around the clock to ensure clients secured Paycheck Protection Program loans quickly and accurately. In 2023, when an unrelated institution with a similar name failed, Mick, Kevin and Bryan hit the phones – proactively calling clients to reassure them, provide clarity and affirm they were available for questions any time, day or night.

In each case, the result was the same: relationships endured because they had been built deliberately over time.

“When people think of the term relationship, they think about a relationship with a small r. When we use the word relationship, it’s relationship with a capital R,” said Mick.

For Signature Bank’s founders, that distinction matters. A small “r” relationship may be transactional. A capital “R” relationship is built on consistency and accountability over time.

Relationships inside the bank

The founders’ vision for relationship banking was never limited to clients. From the beginning, Mick, Kevin and Bryan understood that the strength of the bank externally would depend on the strength of relationships internally.

They set the tone early: leadership would be accessible; titles would not create distance. No job would be beneath anyone. Accountability would be shared. If the bank was built on trust, that trust had to exist inside its walls first.

Over time, that example shaped the culture.

When employees describe Signature Bank, one word surfaces consistently: family. It reflects a workplace where colleagues rely on one another, where leaders remain visible and approachable, and where success is collective.

For those who have been part of the bank since its earliest days, the 20-year milestone carries deep meaning. “This anniversary means everything to me. I’m honestly proud every single day,” commented one employee.

That pride is rooted in shared experiences – each year, over the years: the 2006 grand opening, annual holiday parties that welcome employees’ spouses and children, music festivals and boat excursions, and 5-10-15 milestone celebrations marking growth (not just in assets but in people). There’s the comedy of traditional annual white elephant exchanges, and reflective memories of the intense, around-the-clock effort during the pandemic when teams rallied to ensure clients received the support they needed. 

These moments are not incidental; they reinforce the culture.

Modern capabilities, enduring values

Over the past 20 years, commercial banking has changed dramatically – and Mick, Kevin and Bryan ensured that Signature Bank evolved alongside it.

From the beginning, the founders understood that strong relationships naturally expand over time. As clients grew, so did the complexity of their financial lives. Business owners were no longer seeking support solely for deposits and loans. They needed guidance around investment strategy, multi-generational wealth transfer, estate planning and fiduciary oversight.

Rather than refer those needs elsewhere, Signature Bank chose to deepen the relationship.

The bank expanded its Wealth Management offerings, strengthening its investment advisory capabilities and building a team focused on aligning financial strategies with clients’ broader personal and business goals. More recently, Signature launched Signature Trust Company, developed in partnership with Midwest Trust, bringing professional fiduciary and estate planning services into the bank’s relationship network.

“Our clients look to us for more than day-to-day banking. We’re here to serve that full financial picture for business and family operations,” said Bryan Duncan. “Expanding service lines was a natural extension of elevating our clients’ experiences.”

These expanded capabilities reflect – and strengthen – the bank’s relationship model.

Modernization has extended beyond advisory services. Digital platforms, real-time payments, enhanced treasury tools and layered fraud protection are now expected in commercial banking, and Signature Bank has invested continuously in modernizing its digital and treasury capabilities to meet those expectations.

Yet technology has never been viewed as a replacement for relationships. It is an enabler.

Integrated systems reduce administrative burden so bankers can spend more time advising, anticipating needs and identifying risk. Modern tools create efficiency, but accessible leadership and direct communication preserve connection.

As Signature Bank evolved – from services to technology – the founders made sure that one principle remained constant: modernization should always enrich the client experience, not diminish it.

Looking ahead: The next 20 years

For Mick, Kevin and Bryan, 20 years is a major milestone – and also a beginning.

“We wrote a business plan in 2005, and we’ve stayed remarkably consistent with it,” said Kevin Bastuga. “When you know who you are and who you serve, you don’t need to chase every trend. You just keep strengthening the relationships.”

The same mindset that led three bankers to leave secure careers and open a bank in 2006 still drives the organization forward. It is grounded in calculated risk, long-term thinking and personal accountability.

By remaining committed to relationship banking, Signature Bank is positioned to consistently grow and excel in its service offerings, even as the industry evolves around it.

“We built this bank on relationships grounded in trust, on capabilities that evolve with purpose, and on leadership that remains accessible,” said Mick O’Rourke. “That was our vision in 2006. It’s still our vision today – and it’s what will guide us for the next 20 years.”

Benz Metal Products has always prioritized relationships and connections over transactions. It’s the foundation of their business.

The Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, metal fabrication company, now led by third-generation owners Jake, Joe and Jason van der Kooy, has built its reputation on trust and long-term partnerships. Every team member plays a role in building and maintaining customer relationships.

Over the past 50 years, the family-owned business has grown largely through referrals rather than traditional sales efforts. That relationship-first mindset shapes every part of the business, including the partners they choose, who are flexible and willing to adapt and grow with them. That includes Signature Bank.

Image: Brad Kranich, Senior Vice President and Division Head, Signature Bank in Wisconsin (left), with Jake van der Kooy, CEO of Benz Metal Products (middle) and Erik Doucette, Vice President of Signature Bank in Wisconsin.

Seeing more than the numbers

For much of its history, Benz Metal viewed banking primarily as a transactional necessity. The company had changed banks only twice in over 50 years. 

When they ultimately switched to Signature Bank, they were struck by our approach. Rather than leading with spreadsheets and formulas, our team focused on learning the business. We asked about customers, growth plans, operations and leadership. We took time to understand how decisions are made and why.

Benz Metal said it was the first time a bank had looked beyond metrics and invested in the bigger picture. That approach aligned with how they do business.

“Signature Bank was the first bank that saw our whole story, more than just black and white numbers,” said Jake van der Kooy, CEO of Benz Metal. “Signature Bank invested in our family business, trusting how we operate. That’s an incredibly innovative approach.”

That understanding and trust didn’t begin in a boardroom. It started on the sidelines when Jake first met a Signature Bank banker while watching their sons play football.

From community connection to partnership

What began as a personal connection became a business relationship. Over time, conversations shifted from community and family to the business and its direction. There was no sales pitch and no pressure, just straightforward conversations and a clearer understanding of the business.

By the time Benz Metal was ready to explore financing for new equipment and facility expansion, the relationship with Signature was already in place. Discussions felt collaborative, not transactional. And decisions were straightforward, guided by mutual understanding rather than rigid processes.

When trust removes friction

Benz Metal said one of the most meaningful outcomes of the partnership has been the ease of working with Signature Bank. Instead of navigating layers of emails and approvals, conversations are direct. Questions are handled quickly. And the focus stays on the business.

That efficiency matters. It allows the Benz Metal team to focus on running operations, supporting customers and planning for growth rather than getting caught in administrative back-and-forth. It also reflects trust.

Benz Metal has control over its decisions, whether that means investing in equipment, upgrading technology or responding quickly to customer needs. The team knows what’s best for the business, without having to justify every move or navigate unnecessary hurdles.

That trust is especially meaningful for a third-generation, family-owned company. Benz Metal is focused on building for the long term and growing in ways that support the future of the business.

By taking the time to understand how the family operates and how decisions are made, we pride ourselves on being a true partner, not just another lender or service provider. We’re a trusted supporter of the business and the people behind it.

Building what comes next

As Benz Metal continues to grow and evolve, the company remains focused on what has always mattered most: relationships, quality and long-term thinking.

With Signature Bank alongside them, Benz Metal is positioned to continue growing while staying true to how the business has always operated. Our partnership is built on trust, shared values and a clear understanding of what matters most. 

When a bank looks beyond the numbers, it can help a business build what comes next.

Let’s start the conversation

When a bank understands the story behind your business, better opportunities follow. If you’re exploring your next phase of growth, connect with Signature Bank to start a conversation about how relationship banking can support your plans. Contact us to get started.

Businesses manage money differently than they did a decade ago. As operations have evolved, so have expectations. Faster payments, real-time cash visibility and stronger fraud protection are no longer optional; they are essential to staying competitive and secure.

Yet modern banking isn’t defined by technology alone. It’s defined by how technology enables stronger client relationships.

At Signature Bank, we view digital innovation as the foundation that makes personalized commercial banking stronger. When systems integrate seamlessly and data flows in real time, our teams spend less time on manual processes and more time advising clients, identifying risk and uncovering opportunity.

That philosophy guides our continued investments in digital banking and treasury capabilities, ensuring innovation enhances the high-touch service our clients rely on.

So what does modern banking — with a personal touch — really look like? It’s trusted relationships backed by the right tools, real-time insight and experienced guidance that empower business leaders to make confident financial decisions.

Alma Sandoval, a relationship banker at Signature Bank, assists client Brian Collins of Pedersen & Houpt at the 191 N. Wacker Drive branch in the Chicago loop.

Banking built for how businesses actually operate 

Treasury management has shifted from a back-office function to a strategic driver of operational efficiency, forecasting and enterprise risk management.

Businesses today should expect more than transaction processing. They should expect:

• Seamless integration with ERP and accounting systems
• Automated payment workflows that reduce manual effort
• Real-time reporting and cash visibility
• Strong internal controls and layered fraud protection
• A treasury team that adds true value through discovery — not just implementation

Our process begins by understanding how a business actually operates. We roll up our sleeves, evaluate workflows, identify inefficiencies and uncover potential risks — then design solutions that fit into a client’s systems. 

That often includes helping businesses transition from paper-based payments to automated environments using ACH, virtual card payments and integrated payables platforms. Automation reduces manual steps, lowers the risk of error and fraud, and frees internal teams to focus on strategic priorities that improve cash flow and long-term performance.

Technology delivered with a personal touch

Delivering advanced tools is only the starting point. What sets us apart is how we implement and support them.

“Upgrading our digital banking platform was about more than adding new features — it was about making life easier and safer for our clients,” said Penny Foust, CTP, senior vice president of Treasury Management at Signature Bank. “Efficiency, security and insights are critical, but they only matter if businesses know how to put them to work. That’s where our team comes in. We don’t just hand over technology; we walk side by side with our clients to make sure these tools help their businesses run stronger every day.”

That hands-on philosophy shapes how we engage with clients. We work closely with controllers, CFOs and business leaders across industries — from manufacturing to professional services — to understand their processes, challenges and growth goals before recommending solutions. In many cases, that means rethinking workflows from the ground up and serving as an extension of a client’s internal team.

“Technology has changed everything about banking, from paper-based processes to real-time data and automation. But what hasn’t changed is that it’s still a people business. Technology only creates value when it’s paired with relationships, trust and a deep understanding of how our clients truly operate,” said Foust.

Innovation with security at the core

As digital capabilities expand, so does the fraud landscape. Real-time payments, APIs and system integrations introduce new efficiencies but also increase the importance of strong controls and informed oversight.  

It’s an unfortunate reality: the majority of businesses experience payment fraud in some form. Companies often have just one business day to identify and report unauthorized transactions before they become unrecoverable. Artificial intelligence has also introduced new threats, including digital impersonation and voice replication schemes.

That’s why we view security and fraud controls as integral to innovation, not add-ons or afterthoughts. Signature Bank’s digital and treasury solutions are designed with security embedded from the start, including:

• Multi-factor authentication and layered access controls
• Real-time monitoring and proactive alerts
• Positive pay and advanced payment verification tools
• Internal fraud mitigation controls
• Ongoing education around emerging cybersecurity risks

Technology can flag potential risk, but it’s the people behind it who help prevent problems and keep business moving. Even the most advanced fraud detection tools require experienced oversight. When something appears unusual, our clients don’t navigate automated responses alone. They hear directly from someone who understands their business and can step in quickly to assess and respond.

Personalized banking, powered by agility.

While many banks offer digital platforms, fewer offer true partnership.

At Signature Bank, our technology exists to support banker-client relationships. Our treasury, operations, IT and lending teams collaborate closely to ensure digital tools, fraud protections and financing strategies align with each client’s broader goals.

Because we operate with a team-based approach, clients benefit from continuity and direct access to decision-makers. In an industry where banker turnover can disrupt service, our structure prioritizes long-term relationships and shared institutional knowledge.

That alignment also allows us to move quickly. Without unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, we can refine workflows, customize reporting and deploy enhancements efficiently. Clients don’t navigate red tape — they work directly with professionals who understand their business and can act decisively.

Andrea Brockland, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Retail Manager of Retail Banking at Signature Bank, greets client John Wrenn of Lakefront Hospitality Group.

Twenty years of evolving – and listening

As we celebrate 20 years of serving our clients, we recognize how dramatically commercial banking has changed. Processes that once relied on paper and manual approvals now operate in real time, connected through secure digital ecosystems.

But one principle has remained constant: strong banking relationships are built on trust, insight and accessibility.

“We aren’t just deploying technology,” Foust said. “We’re building financial ecosystems that are dynamic, secure and deeply relationship-driven.  That combination — innovation and high-touch service — is what modern banking should look like because it’s in the best interest of our customers.”

Let’s start the conversation

If you’re evaluating whether your current banking relationship delivers the integration, automation and fraud protection your business needs — along with the personalized guidance you deserve — we invite you to start the conversation.

Let’s discuss how modern treasury and digital solutions, backed by a relationship-driven team, can support your next chapter of growth. Contact us to get started.