Private Lending Risks in 2026: Loan Defaults and Debt Fund Failures

Private Lending Risks in 2026: Loan Defaults and Debt Fund Failures

Rocky Butani interviews Kevin Kim, Partner at Fortra Law [https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/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/

Inside Stonecrest Financial: Lines of Credit & Unique Bridge Loans for California Real Estate

Rocky Butani interviews Shafiq Taymuree from Stonecrest Financial [https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/stonecrest-financial/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast], 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/

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/

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/

Wholesale Private Lending Compliance and Legal Structures

Rocky Butani interviews Melissa Martorella, Esq., Partner at Fortra Law [https://privatelenderlink.com/profile/fortra-law/?utm_source=lender-link-podcast], 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/.