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alph Herzka's Meridian Capital Group is poised to resume deal-making with Freddie Mac, nearly a year after being sidelined due to a suspicious transaction. According to an internal email obtained by The Promote, Freddie Mac will begin accepting loan deals brokered by Meridian at the start of next year. However, there's a catch - lenders on these deals will be subject to stricter requirements.

    Freddie Mac is introducing a "special process" for Meridian-brokered deals, which may deter some lenders. Lenders will need to repurchase loans if borrowers default within a year or if wrongdoing is discovered. They'll also have to certify that there's no fraud involved and comply with additional requirements, such as in-person meetings between lenders and borrowers.

    Despite being blacklisted by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, Meridian has continued to operate, completing $4 billion in new business with 99 lenders across 28 states in the first quarter of this year. CEO Brian Brooks, who joined the firm earlier this year, is tasked with building compliance and risk infrastructure. The company's founder, Ralph Herzka, remains optimistic, saying "You are not defined by one event."