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December 15, 2025
At LeverageCon 7 in San Diego, I had the privilege of joining industry peers, attending lending panels, and exchanging ideas about the forces shaping today’s real estate market.
The conversations were both insightful and forward-looking — and as I reflected on the sessions, I realized how many of the lessons we discussed could help Loan Officers and real estate professionals navigate what’s coming next.
Below, I’ve summarized the main takeaways from those discussions — and added a few personal insights that I hope will help you position yourself for success in the year ahead.
The Shift Loan Officers Can’t Ignore
Private Lending isn’t just growing — it’s redefining how Loan Officers create value. As the Federal Reserve begins to lower short-term rates, liquidity is slowly returning to the market. That means more opportunities for refinances, new construction, and investor-driven financing.
The Fed Rate Cut: A Turning Point for Private Lending
The recent Fed rate cut marks a major inflection point for the lending industry.
As Quantitative Tightening (QT) winds down, liquidity is set to return, leading to stronger project valuations and more feasible exit strategies for borrowers and investors alike.
For Loan Officers, this means a more dynamic environment:
- A rebound in refinancing
- Greater borrower confidence.
- More institutional capitalseeking private credit channels.
The cost of capital is coming down — and the smart players are already preparing for faster deal flow.
From Banks to Private Lenders — The Great Migration
The U.S. still faces an estimated shortage of 4 million housing units. Yet, while demand remains high, traditional banks are retreating.
Under Basel III’s stricter capital requirements (HVCRE), many institutions are limiting exposure to construction and transitional loans.
According to Moody’s, nearly $1 trillion is projected to move from banks to private lenders over the next 3–5 years. This isn’t a temporary trend — it’s a structural shift in how real estate is financed.
For Loan Officers, that shift represents a once-in-a-decade opportunity to redefine your role — from a rate-quoting originator to a true capital advisor guiding clients through flexible private solutions.
The Education Gap — and the Opportunity It Creates
Despite this evolution, many developers and general contractors still don’t understand private capital. Some continue to fund projects with personal savings or even credit cards, unaware that specialized private lenders can structure creative, efficient financing for their needs.
That’s where you come in. As a Loan Officer, your ability to educate and guide clients is what sets you apart. By helping sponsors and investors understand bridge, construction, and DSCR options, you can open doors they didn’t know existed — and win clients for life.
Institutional Appetite and AI-Driven Efficiency
Another major force behind the surge in private lending is institutional appetite. Both 2024 and 2025 have been record years for RTL securitizations, including ground-up projects. This demand is narrowing the yield spread between banks and private lenders — giving borrowers better pricing and faster execution.
At the same time, AI and automation are transforming how private lenders operate. At RBI Private Lending, we’re integrating technology to streamline underwriting, reduce costs, and deliver a more transparent experience for borrowers and investors.
Technology doesn’t replace people — it amplifies performance and consistency.
The DSCR Secondary Market: Liquidity and Exit Options
The DSCR secondary market continues to mature and now provides more liquidity than ever before. For real estate investors, this creates additional exit strategies, while for Loan Officers, it expands the universe of viable deals that can close faster and perform better.
In this environment, understanding where liquidity flows — and how DSCR-backed products behave — becomes an essential skill for every lending professional.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
With rates stabilizing and liquidity improving, 2026 is shaping up as a year of renewed growth. Valuations are expected to strengthen, exits will become easier, and the partnership between private lenders, brokers, and loan officers will grow even more critical.
For every Loan Officer out there: this new cycle won’t be about rates — it will be about relationships, adaptability, and understanding where private capital is heading next.
It was a true pleasure to share these insights in San Diego, and my thanks go to Brett Alazzawi and the LeverageCon team for building a community that continues to push our industry forward.
References
Moody’s Investors Service. (2025, July).Private credit growth adds liquidity, but heightens risk in CRE market. Moody’s Analytics. Available by subscription at https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_XXXXX
Leonardo Rostoker
Chief Financial Officer at RBI Private Lending.
Leonardo Rostoker is the Chief Financial Officer at RBI Private Lending, a direct private lender specializing in real estate bridge and construction financing. With over a decade of experience in financial strategy and capital markets, Leonardo is passionate about helping Loan Officers, brokers, and developers unlock smarter funding solutions through innovation, education, and partnership.