To compile its self-admitted subjective list of The 50 Most Important People in Commercial Real Estate Finance, Commercial Observer consulted various industry professionals and lists of top producers. Additionally, charts noting the most active banks were taken into consideration.

While an emphasis was placed on the New York tristate region, geography was not the only factor to come into play. When battling the question of who is more important among brokers or lenders, predictions for 2013 investments had to be considered.

“Brokers control the deals and the bankers control the money – and the money makes the deal happen,” one executive, himself a broker, told Commercial Observer. But then: “I feel like the brokers have the upper hand in the moment.”

As Chairman and CEO of Island Capital Group, Andrew Farkas was named number 7 on the list. Noting a “big year,” C-III Partners acquired NAI Global last year, as well as its 5,000 real estate professionals. The firm manages four funds totaling a $2 billion investment.