In today’s ultra-competitive world of real estate investing, choosing the right lending partner can make the difference between success or throwing your hard-earned money away. At RBI Private Lending, our mission is clear: to empower investors by providing innovative, adaptable, and customer-centric financial solutions. As Chief Commercial Officer, I have made it my mission to help our family-founded business to become a trusted partner for investors seeking to strengthen their portfolios and achieve sustainable growth.
A Family Legacy Built on Trust and Expertise
RBI Private Lending was founded by our family in 2015. We immigrated to the United States from Venezuela because of the dire situation in the country. Our family had been involved in the banking industry for generations and we were searching for a way to diversify our investments outside of our country. We looked at opportunities in the U.S. With so many regulatory hurdles to establish a bank here, we decided to leverage our financial expertise in private lending, focusing on real estate investments.
What sets RBI Private Lending apart is its strong foundation as a family business. Today, key roles in the company are held by trusted family members, fostering a culture of mutual support and a shared vision. This close-knit team includes myself and several cousins – including CEO Ernesto Rostoker and CFO Leonardo Rostoker, a brother-in-law, and other close relatives. We believe that these familial ties not only bind us together but uniquely demonstrate that RBI Private Lending has the ability to adapt and innovate in response to market trends. We all tend to see the big picture similarly, which helps because we’ve been raised by the same family that shares the same values.
Adapting to Change: A Hallmark of Success
Lenders and seasoned investors alike know how unpredictable the market can be, and in an industry such as ours, adaptability is crucial. RBI Private Lending’s journey first began with a focus on bridge loans – a well-known staple in private lending. Up until 2018, 100% of our loans were bridge loans. However, we soon began to recognize growing competition and market shifts, so our team made strategic adjustments. Today, only 20% of our loan portfolio is comprised of bridge loans. By expanding into construction loans and fix-and-flip loans, RBI Private Lending positioned itself as a more versatile and scalable lender.
Our ability to adapt doesn’t stop at loan products. RBI Private Lending also consistently works hard to identify operational opportunities to enhance our clients’ experiences. For example, we launched our own title company to streamline services and create additional value for our customers. We’re always looking for ways to allocate resources more effectively and make the investing experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
A Customer-Centric Approach: Common Sense Lending
I like to think that one of RBI Private Lending’s defining traits is its commitment to common-sense lending, and that’s an approach that sets it apart from many traditional banks and credit unions. We’re not just a lender trying to fit borrowers into a specific credit box. If there’s a scenario that doesn’t align perfectly with our guidelines but makes sense, we work to make the loan happen. This flexibility is particularly appealing to investors with unique financial circumstances.
Consider a borrower with a low FICO score due to limited credit history, or a foreign national with investing experience in their home country but none in America. These people need, and deserve, help like anyone else. Unlike traditional institutions that might automatically deny their loans without considering other factors, RBI Private Lending takes a more nuanced approach. We analyze the whole picture. Just because someone has a high balance on one credit card doesn’t mean they’re a bad borrower.
This empathetic, tailored business philosophy has helped RBI Private Lending build lasting relationships with investors. From assisting first-time property flippers to enabling international clients to establish successful U.S. operations, our company’s impact is evident with the people that we have helped and the transactions we have completed.
Growing Together: The Workforce Behind the Success
Of course, our leadership isn’t the only driver behind RBI Private Lending’s success. The real star is our committed team of over 60 dedicated employees. Our growth is a point of pride with everyone at RBI Private Lending. Ten years ago, I couldn’t have imagined leading a company with such a large and talented workforce. It’s remarkable to see how far we’ve come.
The team’s collaborative spirit and shared values are key to RBI Private Lending’s ability to serve clients effectively. From underwriting to asset management, each department works tirelessly to provide the best possible outcomes for investors, and I can personally vouch for their dedication. RBI Private Lending’s cohesive culture ensures that every client’s needs are met with professionalism and care.
A Vision for the Future
When I consider the future of our company, I believe that RBI Private Lending’s long-term goals are ambitious but achievable. We are already ranked among the top private lenders in Florida, and we aim to replicate this success in key markets like Texas, the Carolinas, and California. Our goal is to be a top 10 or even top 5 lender in these states. Yes, achieving this will require a lot of hard work, further product diversification, operational enhancements, and a commitment to maintaining our core values. But there’s nothing keeping us from reaching for the stars.
And another exciting thing on the horizon – we plan to expand RBI Private Lending’s fund size by a factor of 20. This will enable us to support even more investors and help more borrowers make their real estate dreams a reality. To achieve these goals, we need to continue adapting to market trends and finding innovative solutions. The team at RBI Private Lending has big dreams, too, and we are thrilled to have our investors along for the ride!
Partnering with RBI Private Lending: A Strategic Advantage
For investors looking to strengthen their portfolios, RBI Private Lending offers a unique combination of expertise, adaptability, and customer focus. Whether it’s navigating complex financial scenarios or providing tailored solutions for first-time investors, our approach is designed to help clients become well-positioned for success.
Simply put, we’re here to help investors achieve their goals by providing more than just funding. Some lenders drop a pile of money in an investor’s bank account and, to put it bluntly, throw them to the wolves. No tips, no education, and no advice when it’s needed the most. We want to be genuine partners in investors’ growth, and be able to offer the flexibility, insight, tools, and resources they need to succeed.
RBI Private Lending’s journey from a small, family-founded business to a respected (and growing) private lender is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to innovation, collaboration, and customer success. We think relationships matter, both with family and our customers. For investors seeking a trusted partner to help navigate the complexities of real estate investing, RBI Private Lending stands ready to deliver.
To learn more about how RBI Private Lending can support your investment journey, visit our website today!
About the author: ANDRES SAIAS is Chief Commercial Officer Member of the Board at RBI Private Lending.
Mr. Saias earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, and a Masters in Real Estate at Georgetown University. His previous experience includes working in banking at 100% Banco in Venezuela. Mr. Saias leads the group’s commercial initiatives with borrowers, brokers, investors and secondary markets.
