Private Lending Insights

Lender Link

A podcast about private mortgage lending for residential and commercial real estate investors. It's also known as "hard money lending" or "bridge lending." Most of it is short-term financing with terms less than 2 years, but we also cover long-term loans. We focus on loan origination but also share insights about the capital side of the business.

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20 episodes
Avg 55 min
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#35
Thursday · 54 min
Inside Simplending Financial with Janine Cascio
In this episode of Private Lending Insights, Rocky Butani interviews Janine Cascio, Founder and CEO of Simplending Financial, a Houston-based private lender offering financing for real estate investors nationwide. They discuss the company's history, currently lending activity, insights about markets in Texas, Simplending's loan programs, technology, Janine's book, the SheFunds Academy and their live events in Houston. Visit Simplending Financial's profile on Lender Link: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/simplending-financial/. Contact them directly, and please mention that you heard about them from our podcast. They pay us a monthly fee to be on the platform. Book purchase links: e-Book | Paperback
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#34
October 21 · 1 hr 11 min
Inside RTL Securitizations: How Private Lenders Access Institutional Capital
In Episode 34 of Private Lending Insights, Rocky Butani interviews Aleksandra Simanovsky, founder of Adige Asset Advisory, to talk about the RTL securitization market and how securitizations work, including loan pooling, bond investors, cash flow waterfalls, funding costs, the economics of securitization versus whole loan sales, why securitizations can provide lenders with greater funding flexibility and much more. The conversation also covers capital market conditions in 2026, institutional investor demand for RTL bonds, the potential return of multifamily lending to securitization markets, and recent industry acquisitions. Visit Adige's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more about their services and to watch some short clips from this interview: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/adige-asset-advisory/
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#33
September 8 · 52 min
Inside LBC Capital: Private Lending in a Slower Real Estate Market
Rocky Butani interviews Boris Dorfman, fund manager and partner at LBC Capital, about the state of private lending and real estate investing in 2026. The conversation explores why transaction volume has slowed in 2026, how elevated interest rates are affecting residential and commercial real estate, and how private lenders are adapting their underwriting and lending strategies. They also discuss LBC Capital’s lending activity in 2026, geographic expansion beyond California, leverage and credit requirements, construction completion financing, second mortgages, and the evolution of the company and its mortgage fund. Visit LBC Capital's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/lbc-capital/
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#32
August 21 · 55 min
The State of Private Lending in mid-2026 with Nema Daghbandan
Rocky Butani interviews Nema Daghbandan, CEO of Lightning Docs and Partner at Fortra Law, for a data-driven look at the private lending market in 2026. Nema shares what Lightning Docs is seeing across more than 300 lender clients, including trends in RTL and DSCR loan volume, interest rates, competition, foreclosures, and fraud. They also discuss the Figure acquisition of Kiavi, how AI is changing lending technology and legal workflows, and Lightning Docs’ recent milestone of surpassing $100 billion in loan originations. Visit Lightning Docs' profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/lightning-docs/ This interview is Episode #32 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/.
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#31
August 7 · 33 min
Inside RCN Capital: 2026 Private Lending Trends
In this episode of Private Lending Insights, Rocky Butani interviews Jeff Tesch, CEO of RCN Capital, one of the nation’s largest private lenders and a leading wholesale lender serving mortgage brokers. Jeff shares RCN’s outlook on the private lending market, the states seeing the strongest lending activity, and why ground-up construction continues to be one of the biggest opportunities for investors. The conversation also covers RCN’s new Structured Finance Group, capital markets, portfolio lending, and trends shaping residential investment lending in 2026. Learn about RCN's White Label Wholesale program: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/rcn-capital-correspondent/ This interview is Episode #31 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/
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#30
July 1 · 37 min
Inside New Silver: Tech-Enabled Private Lending with White Label Program
In this episode of Private Lending Insights, Rocky Butani interviews Kirill Bensonoff, CEO and founder of New Silver, a technology-driven private lender based in Connecticut. Kirill shares how New Silver evolved from building loan origination software into a nationwide private lender funding fix & flip, ground-up construction, and DSCR loans. The conversation covers lending trends, AI and automation, New Silver's proprietary technology, and its growing white label program for brokers and lenders. They also discuss where the private lending industry is headed as AI transforms underwriting, borrower interactions, and loan origination. Visit New Silver's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/new-silver/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast Learn about New Silver's White Label Wholesale program: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/new-silver-wholesale/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #30 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/
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#29
March 23 · 58 min
Private Lending Risks in 2026: Loan Defaults and Debt Fund Failures
Rocky Butani interviews Kevin Kim, Partner at Fortra Law and one of the leading securities attorneys advising private lenders and mortgage fund managers. We discussed rising defaults, increasing competition, and key risks facing private lenders in 2026. We also talk about a mortgage fund in Northern California that recently collapsed, what investors should look for, and why transparency, third-party administration, and audited financials are becoming essential. Kevin shares insights on distressed debt opportunities and how lenders are adapting as the market evolves. Visit Fortra Law's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/fortra-law/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #29 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/
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#28
March 18 · 1 hr 1 min
Inside Stonecrest Financial: Lines of Credit & Unique Bridge Loans for California Real Estate
Rocky Butani interviews Shafiq Taymuree from Stonecrest Financial, a California-based private lending firm with nearly $300 million in annual loan originations. They talked about Stonecrest’s unique lending programs, including consumer bridge loans that allow homeowners to buy a new property before selling their existing home, as well as a revolving line of credit program used by real estate investors and business owners. The conversation also covers specific guidelines for the 2 programs, California lending trends, and the company’s capital model that has supported their private lending operations for decades. Visit Stonecrest's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/stonecrest-financial/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #28 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/
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#27
March 9 · 1 hr 4 min
Inside Coastal Equity Group: Residential Construction Lending in the Southeast
Rocky Butani talks with Robert “Alex” Baker and Kent Liggitt from Coastal Equity Group, a direct private lending firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. They discuss Coastal Equity’s rapid growth, closing over $200M in annual loan volume (mostly ground-up construction), trends they are seeing, capital markets, their lending guidelines, and the Southeast markets seeing the most development activity. Visit Coastal Equity's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/coastal-equity-group/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #27 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/
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#26
March 3 · 55 min
Inside F2 Finance with Christian Faes
Rocky Butani talks with Christian Faes, CEO of F2 Finance, LLC. Christian shares his journey from founding and scaling a multi-billion-dollar U.K. lending platform (LendInvest) to launching F2 Finance in the United States. The conversation covers F2’s balance sheet lending model, bridge loan guidelines, land and commercial deal appetite, state-by-state strategy, and how they compete in a highly competitive private lending market. We also dive into F2’s capital structure, fund model, foreclosure philosophy, and what Christian sees ahead for private lending in 2026. Visit F2's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/f2-finance-llc/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #26 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/
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#25
January 29 · 43 min
Wholesale Private Lending Compliance and Legal Structures
Rocky Butani interviews Melissa Martorella, Esq., Partner at Fortra Law, for a deep dive into wholesale capital structures in private lending. Melissa breaks down the legal and compliance considerations behind wholesale lending, white labeling, table funding, and correspondent lending, with a focus on residential transition loans (aka hard money). The conversation covers state licensing requirements, borrower disclosures, liability risks, and how lenders and brokers can structure their businesses correctly while scaling nationwide. This episode is essential listening for private lenders, brokers, capital providers and others navigating wholesale lending models. Visit Fortra Law's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/fortra-law/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #25 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/.
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#24
Nov 24, 2025 · 58 min
Inside i Fund Cities: Private Lending Growth, Construction Loans & Market Trends
Rocky Butani talks with Bryan Ziegenfuse and Chris Tereo, Co-Founders of i Fund Cities, a national private lender based in Philadelphia. They discuss the company’s impressive 2025 growth, funding close to $900 million in private loans, their boots-on-the-ground expansion strategy, and trends in construction, fix & flip, and DSCR lending. The conversation also covers market forecasts for 2026, delinquency trends, loan program details, and i Fund Cities’ approach to capital markets and customer experience. Visit iFC's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/ifundcities/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #24 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/.
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#23
Nov 7, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
Private Lending Market Update 2025 Q3 with Data from Lightning Docs
In this episode of Private Lending Insights, Rocky Butani interviews Nema Daghbandan, Esq., CEO of Lightning Docs and Partner at Fortra Law. They discuss nationwide trends in private lending interest rates, loan volume, and market dynamics for both bridge and DSCR loans — based on real data from thousands of transactions each month on the Lightning Docs platform. Nema breaks down rate movements across major states, explains why competition is intensifying, the rapid rise in DSCR loan volume, the evolution of securitizations, and what’s next for private lending in 2026. Visit Lightning Doc's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/lightning-docs/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #23 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/.
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#22
Nov 4, 2025 · 31 min
The Baltimore DSCR Rental Loan Fraud Scheme
Rocky Butani interviewed Jon Hornik, Managing Partner of Private Lender Law and President of the National Private Lenders Association (NPLA), to discuss the Baltimore DSCR fraud scheme that shook the private lending industry in 2025, affecting dozens of lenders and millions in loans. Jon explains how the scheme worked, who was impacted, and what the NPLA is doing to fight fraud and protect lenders — including a new watchlist database for bad actors and updated valuation best practices for DSCR loans. Visit Private Lender Law’ profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/private-lender-law/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast Connect with Jon Hornik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-l-hornik-esq-6620509a/ This interview is Episode #22 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/
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#21
Oct 10, 2025 · 1 hr 17 min
Inside Stormfield Capital: Real Estate Bridge Lending Strategy & Market Outlook
Rocky Butani talks with Wesley Carpenter, Co-Founder and Partner at Stormfield Capital, a Connecticut-based private lender and debt fund manager with $750MM AUM. Wes discusses the 2025 market outlook, the state of bridge lending, and how Stormfield serves investors across the East Coast. He shares insights on loan volume, underwriting discipline, the company’s capital structure, and its plans to expand beyond the Northeast. Visit Stormfield's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/stormfield-capital/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #21 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/.
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#20
Sep 18, 2025 · 55 min
Inside Residential Capital Partners: 100% Financing for Rehab Projects Nationwide
Rocky Butani interviewed Paul Jackson, President & CEO of Residential Capital Partners, one of the few private lenders offering 100% financing for residential & multifamily rehab projects nationwide. Paul shares his insights on the real estate market, ground-up construction trends, and how ResCap has maintained steady lending volumes for 16+ years. Learn all about their loan program, borrower requirements, interest rates, fees, and much more. Visit ResCap's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/residential-capital-partners/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #20 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/.
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#19
Jul 30, 2025 · 59 min
Navigating What’s Next in Private Lending: Trends, Strategy, and Vision with Anthony Geraci
Rocky Butani interviews Anthony Geraci, founder of the newly re-launched Geraci Law Firm and a long-time leader in the private lending space. Anthony discusses his recent split from the firm he originally built, his continued focus on supporting private lenders, and his vision for the future of the industry. Anthony shares his perspective on major trends shaping the industry — from the rise of capital markets and securitization, to the growing demand for 50-state lending and alternative credit strategies. He also reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, the future of conferences in the space, and how private lenders can stay competitive in a shifting market. Visit Geraci LLP's website: https://geracillp.com/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #19 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/ 00:00 Intro 02:44 Firm Split 05:40 Market Trends 07:08 Lending Shift 08:45 Beyond Real Estate 09:31 Legal Landscape 11:14 Strategy Advice 12:55 Client Growth 15:09 Balance vs. Securitize 17:27 DSCR Loans 20:43 CRE Outlook 22:25 Resi Shift 23:53 Defaults & Foreclosure 25:05 New Firm Build 27:23 Competing Firms 29:25 New Conference 32:10 Starting Out 34:35 Founding AAPL 39:02 Conference Boom 46:08 AAPL Role 49:33 Other Ventures
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#18
Jul 24, 2025 · 54 min
California Bridge Lending with Rubicon Mortgage Fund
Rocky Butani interviews Vance Hillstrom, CEO of Rubicon Mortgage Fund, for a wide-ranging discussion on California’s evolving real estate market, Rubicon’s conservative lending philosophy, and what it takes to survive and thrive in today’s private lending landscape. Rubicon has been originating bridge loans for nearly 20 years, funding deals exclusively with capital from its $150 million discretionary mortgage fund. While the firm started by focusing on the Bay Area, its lending footprint now spans the entire state of California, including a growing appetite for Southern California. Visit Rubicon's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/rubicon-mortgage-fund/ This interview is Episode #18 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/ 00:00 Intro 01:14 Market Trends 02:56 Loan Extensions 04:00 Bridge Loan Demand 06:19 First Republic Loans 10:50 Defaults & Foreclosures 12:17 Loan Volume 14:34 Portfolio Mix 17:20 Property Types 19:45 Gas Stations & Hospitality 21:52 Lending Regions 27:46 Guidelines & Terms 33:46 Valuation Process 39:29 Deposits 41:12 Rehab & Construction 42:30 Broker vs Borrower 43:19 Loan Examples 49:16 Team & Operations 50:49 Mortgage Fund 55:33 Closing
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#17
Jul 16, 2025 · 53 min
DSCR Rental Loan Guidelines and Trends with American Heritage Lending
Rocky Butani interviews Dave Orloff, CEO of American Heritage Lending for an in-depth discussion on DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans. They explore current market trends in mid-2025, interest rate volatility, updated loan guidelines, and what makes AHL’s DSCR program stand out — including high LTV options, 40-year loan terms, fee stacking, and their approach to short-term rentals and multifamily properties. Whether you're a broker, investor, or lender, this episode offers practical insights into one of the most popular loan products in private mortgage lending today. Visit American Heritage Lending's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/amercian-heritage-lending/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #17 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/ 00:00 Intro 02:00 Market Update 04:15 Capital Markets 06:00 Rates & Pricing 07:10 Lending Trends 10:00 Loan Volume 13:00 DSCR Updates 15:50 LTV Guidelines 18:20 Credit Scores 24:00 DSCR Calc 26:30 Property Types 29:30 40 Year Term 33:40 Rate Locks 37:10 Entities 38:30 Short Term Rentals 43:30 Fee Stacking 45:50 Prepay Penalties 47:00 Location Rules 50:45 Acreage 51:35 Closing
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#16
Jun 26, 2025 · 50 min
Inside Yieldi: Strategic Bridge Lending for CRE, Land and Luxury Homes
Yieldi's principals, Joe Ashkouti and Josh Lloyd, spoke with Rocky Butani to talk about bridge loans for commercial and residential investment properties, their lending guidelines, the company's unique capital structure, and more. Visit Yieldi's profile on PrivateLenderLink.com to learn more and to contact them: https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/yieldi/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast This interview is Episode #16 of the Private Lending Insights Podcast: https://podcast.privatelenderlink.com/ 00:00 Welcome and Intro 00:40 Market Trends 2025 01:45 Company Growth 03:00 Land Loan Demand 04:30 Market Insights 06:00 Conservative Lending 07:00 Bridge to Bridge Loans 08:30 Free and Clear Deals 09:30 Cash Out Strategy 10:30 Foreclosure Bailouts 12:00 Loan Volume Growth 13:30 Commercial vs Residential 14:30 Geographic Breakdown 15:10 Lending Guidelines 17:00 Loan Sizes and LTV 19:00 Luxury Home Bridges 20:30 Consumer Bridge Loans 21:30 Land Loan Examples 25:00 Land Underwriting 27:30 Cross Collateral Loans 30:00 Special Use and Hotels 31:30 Foreign National Loans 33:00 Rehab and Fix and Flip 35:00 Commercial Value Add 36:30 Valuation Approach 38:00 Site Visit Process 40:00 Company Background 42:00 Capital Structure 44:30 Lending Regions 46:00 Georgia Lending 48:00 Municipal Issues 50:30 Final Thoughts
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