Fortress-Backed Derby Lane Hires Ex-Citi CMBS Trader Nadella

A real estate credit investment firm formed in 2025, Derby Lane Partners LP, has hired Nishant Nadella, a former Citigroup Inc. trader, to oversee its public investment strategy. Nadella will lead the firm’s commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) division, expanding Derby Lane’s presence in structured real estate credit markets. The hire signals Derby Lane’s push into public markets, complementing its existing private credit and real estate debt investments. Nadella brings deep CMBS expertise from his tenure at Citigroup, where he traded mortgage-backed securities and structured products. This strategic appointment follows Derby Lane’s launch with backing from Fortress Investment Group, reinforcing its growth in alternative real estate financing.