Sonja Wells is Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at City First Bank, a Washington D.C.-based Community Development Financial Institution, where she oversees the bank’s $200 million dollar loan portfolio with concentrations in affordable multi-family housing, education and health facilities, and small to medium sized businesses. She has over three decades of experience in commercial lending and community development finance in the Washington and Baltimore area. Prior to joining City First, Sonja was Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at M&T Bank and a Business Banker for First Union Bank / Wachovia (now known as Wells Fargo). Sonja is a board member of DC Chamber of Commerce, Jubilee Baltimore, Inc., the African American Real Estate Professionals, the Southeast Community Development Corporation, and Wildflower Public Charter Schools. She also serves on the Loan Committee of the Maryland Casino Business Investment Fund.