CUNY TV's The Stoler Report

Everyone admitted to using e-commerce, at some time. Yet group agreed that as social beings, shoppers want to be with others, touch the material, view the goods before they buy. And what about the Millennials' impact on the market?

Joseph Ficalora of New York Community Bancorp, one of the 25 largest bank holding companies, (assets of $48.6 billion-multi-family lending) and Jay Sidhu of Customers Bank, (assets of $6.5 billion-growth in Core Income & Net Loan Leases discuss the market.

Consulting a shiny crystal ball and talking with colleagues, the panel concludes that "change may be the only constant," that New York is many real estate markets: hotels, office buildings, retail, residential; clients with good track records-the best!

Willie Sutton robbed banks, "because that's where the money is" which makes clear why so many new banks are coming to New York City. With 8.5 million people, 85 million visitors, a GMP of $1.5 trillion, NY is an attractive "hot economy."

The Bronx is booming! with major residential and commercial development, hotels and retail. Long Island City is expanding; shops are staying in the Bronx; the health-care and hospitality industries are growing - and affordable housing is becoming available.

Highlighting NY's efforts to provide space attractive to diverse businesses: Made in NY centers, Coworking space-helpful to non-profits and others, the panel talked about transportation, suburban development, rezoning and more.

"It's such a cool job-I get paid to tell jokes," is one response to questions like: "Why would anyone want to be an entertainer?" or "What did your parents say when you told them, and how do you find a job?" Questions asked and - sort of - answered.

Emerging real estate leaders remind colleagues to be wary of "irrational exuberance," to look for deals that make sense on a cash basis; to deal in familiar markets where one can be creative; and to be reasonable in one's expectations.

Has the epicenter of Manhattan shifted west? Is an exciting, efficient, new metropolis-a well-planned, true community of residential, commercial and retail space being built on the West Side? Any hotels? What about transportation? Adequate retail?

In Part 2 of gaming in New Jersey, panelists consider the future - short term/long term - casino ballot questions in November 2015, expansion into North Jersey, the Meadowlands, Hoboken, Jersey City, competition from New York, and more.