Roundtable | Trends, Tribulations, and Independence Day

In this roundtable, James Gaskin and Kevin Werner unpack the current lending environment and share an insider’s perspective on the real estate private credit market. They discuss trends from the recent National Private Lenders Association (NPLA) conference, the challenges of balancing abundant capital with responsible lending, and the importance of long-term credit discipline. They also touch on the industry’s growing pains, potential risks like fraud, and why a “back to basics” approach matters now more than ever. The episode wraps with a lighthearted look at summer plans and what Independence Day means to the team.


Key Points from This Episode

00:00 — James and Kevin reconnect after travel breaks and get ready for the 4th of July week.

02:25 — Behind the scenes of Renovo’s biggest team event and why culture and awards matter.

05:18 — James shares takeaways from the Atlantic City event, including market optimism and broker dynamics.

08:14 — Rising institutional capital, credit quality concerns, and how easy money is changing the game.

13:40 — Kevin and James break down why some lenders are “gambling” instead of lending.

17:34 — How fraud cases can shake investor trust and why self-regulation is critical.

23:30 — Why “back to basics” lending is the real edge and lessons from past downturns.

35:23 — Why new entrants must build strong foundations and be ready for the next cycle.

42:12 — James and Kevin share what Independence Day means to them and their families.

44:53 — Staying disciplined, protecting reputations, and a thank you to listeners.

Links

Renovo Financial - https://renovofinancial.com/

James Gaskin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-gaskin-b675593/