In this episode of Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, Briana Hildt, CEO and Founder of Cardinal Capital Group, joins the show to share her remarkable journey in private lending. From starting in asset management to becoming one of Massachusetts' leading private lenders, Briana discusses how she transitioned from a loan broker to launching and scaling her own lending business. She provides insight into the challenges of breaking into the Northeast market, the importance of relationship-driven lending, and how strategic decision-making fueled Cardinal Capital’s success. Briana’s story highlights resilience, the power of strong partnerships, and a commitment to executing with integrity—valuable lessons for both emerging and established lenders. 

Briana Hildt serves as the Founder and CEO of Cardinal Capital Group, a prominent female-owned private lending firm operating on a national scale. With a strong background in real estate lending, she has facilitated over $1Billion in business purpose loans. Under her guidance, CCG has emerged as the top private lender in Massachusetts, Briana's native state. Her pioneering approach and unwavering commitment to excellence have positioned her as a formidable leader in the industry. She emphasizes the core values of Adaptability, Devotion, and Integrity in steering the company toward success.

Bullet Points:

[00:01:04] Briana Hildt introduces herself and her company, Cardinal Capital Group.

[00:02:10] Briana’s early career in asset management and real estate before entering private lending.

[00:03:54] Transitioning from a loan broker to establishing Cardinal Capital.

[00:06:22] Breaking into the Massachusetts private lending market and navigating industry challenges.

[00:08:44] The pivotal decision to launch her own lending firm instead of joining an established lender.

[00:12:08] Raising seed capital and securing early investors for Cardinal Capital.

[00:14:50] The importance of building trust with investors, borrowers, and industry partners.

[00:18:30] How Briana built lasting client relationships and a referral-based business model.

[00:21:42] The challenges and benefits of intentional, steady growth over rapid expansion.

[00:25:10] Cardinal Capital’s disciplined approach to underwriting and deal structuring.

[00:30:20] Market insights: The Northeast lending landscape and how it differs from California.

[00:35:55] How Briana and her team adapted to market volatility in recent years.

[00:40:38] The role of trust, transparency, and execution in scaling a lending business.

[00:45:12] Briana’s advice for brokers looking to transition into direct lending.

[00:50:05] The future of Cardinal Capital and key trends in private lending.

Links:

Learn more about Cardinal Capital Group at https://ccgloans.com/

Learn more about Geraci Law Firm at https://www.geracilawfirm.com

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