Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Community Banking National Executive Maria Barry joined the Rhode Island Housing Board of Commissioners after unanimous approval by Rhode Island State Senate. Barry brings nearly three decades of experience in finance and affordable housing. In her current position, Barry manages a team of real estate experts who finance affordable housing developments both nationally and locally.
“I am thrilled to welcome Maria to Rhode Island Housing’s Board of Commissioners and look forward to working with her,” said Barbara Fields, Executive Director of Rhode Island Housing. “Maria brings a wealth of finance experience from her robust career at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.”
Barry began her career at Ernst & Young and joined BAML in 1987 in the Commercial Credit department. She went on to hold several risk management roles related to training, technology, and asset quality reporting for the Board of Directors. She was promoted to Director of Community Reinvestment Act in 1999, also serving as chair to the Fair Lending Policy Committee.
In 2003, she joined BAML’s commercial Real Estate Team as Director of Regional Relationship Management where she was responsible for launching a new business to meet the needs of small-to-mid-sized developers. She became the Community Development Banking Market Executive for the Northeast in 2004. Barry began her current position as National Executive in February, 2009.
“We are very pleased to welcome Maria Barry to the Board of Commissioners for Rhode Island Housing,” said Nic Retsinas, Chairman of Rhode Island Housing’s Board of Commissioners. “Maria brings a deep reservoir of experience in affordable housing along with a clear understanding of the need for fiscal accountability.”
Barry holds a degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut and currently resides in Barrington, RI with her husband and two children.
“I am pleased to join the Board of Commissioners of Rhode Island Housing,” said Barry. “There is a very real and growing need for affordable housing in Rhode Island and nationwide and I am looking forward to working with the talented team at Rhode Island Housing to help identify ways to create more safe, high-quality housing options for working individuals and families.”
