As 2025 comes to a close, RBI Private Lending enters the new year with strong momentum, deeper market insight, and a clearer sense of purpose. While the broader real estate and construction landscape required more discipline and experience than in years past, it also created meaningful opportunity – for investors who understood their markets and for lenders prepared to support them thoughtfully.
At RBI, 2025 was a year of intentional growth, platform investment, and focus on becoming a long-term capital partner for professional real estate investors.
2025 Highlights & Wins: Growth With Intention
This past year marked a significant step forward for RBI. Loan originations increased by approximately 30%, while our workforce almost doubled. Importantly, that growth was driven by experienced professionals with deep market and construction lending expertise.
We continued to strengthen RBI’s position as a leader in new construction lending, a focus that remains central to the firm’s identity. That leadership was acknowledged across the industry, with RBI being named a Top 5 finalist at the IMN Single-Family Rental (SFR) Industry Awards as BTR/Construction Lender of the Year and also, named a Top 5 finalist for Fix & Flip/DSCR Lender of the Year. In addition, we were ranked the 3rd Top Construction Lender in the U.S. by Scotsman Guide Magazine. The publication also ranked RBI 8th Top Fix-and-Flip Lender and 13th Top Overall Private Lender for 2025. Clearly, the past year was full of recognized accomplishments for our firm.
Behind the scenes, we invested heavily in technology, data, and operational connectivity – building systems designed to give investors greater clarity and control across the entire loan lifecycle. From origination through construction and post-close, everything is now more integrated, transparent, and easier to manage.
Geographically, we also made meaningful progress in diversifying RBI’s footprint. We expanded our presence in California, Texas, Arizona, New Jersey, and other key markets. This expansion was deliberate and market-driven, grounded in deep analysis rather than volume chasing.
Product, Platform & Service Evolution
While new construction lending remains RBI’s core specialty, 2025 marked important expansion across complementary products designed to meet investors where they are in their lifecycle.
We increased our focus on DSCR loans, including 30-year fixed options, allowing investors to refinance and hold completed projects rather than being forced into a sale. We also continued to support fix-and-flip and bridge lending, creating a well-rounded suite of solutions for professional investors.
Just as important, we unified these offerings within a single, investor-facing platform. Borrowers can now view all loans and projects, track budgets and draws, and manage multiple strategies in one place. The result is a clearer, more efficient experience – especially for investors overseeing multiple projects at once.
Industry Landscape & Lessons Learned
The 2025 market rewarded experience and discipline.
Construction costs remained elevated, timelines extended, and margins compressed compared to prior years. While pricing remained relatively stable overall, performance varied widely by submarket. Success depended less on broad market trends and more on understanding supply, demand, and exit conditions at the local level.
One lesson was reinforced time and again: the exit matters from day one.
At RBI, underwriting became even more focused on anticipating market conditions at loan maturity – not just at origination. Submarket-level analysis, inventory trends, and projected demand played a larger role in our decision-making. Competitive pricing remained important, but selectivity and clarity were critical in ensuring investor success.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Focused, Responsible Growth
In anticipation of the future, RBI is approaching 2026 with confidence – and discipline.
We are targeting approximately 50% growth in originations, while continuing to expand selectively into new markets. California remains a priority, alongside other regions where fundamentals and demand align. As always, expansion will be led by experienced local leadership, building teams outward from proven talent.
Technology will also remain a major focus. With a dedicated development team of more than 10 professionals, we continue to invest in tools that support construction lending, project oversight, and investor experience.
Growth is expected across new construction, fix-and-flip, bridge, and DSCR, reinforcing RBI’s role as a full-service private lending partner for real estate investors.
A Leadership Perspective: Momentum Into the New Year
Despite ongoing uncertainty, we see substantial opportunity ahead. More investors are discovering construction, fix-and-flip, and DSCR strategies – and seeking lenders who understand the full scope of those projects.
The need for flexible, well-structured private capital remains strong, particularly among mid-market investors who value speed, transparency, and execution. Competition in the lending space continues to increase, but so does demand for partners who can support repeat success.
RBI’s focus remains unchanged: build long-term relationships, invest in technology and service, and create an experience that investors want to return to – a deal after deal.
2025 was a year of momentum. 2026 is about building on it – thoughtfully.
