Complex borrower story? Non-conventional structure? See how a synchronized lending team approaches files without getting stuck in rigid checklists
Behind every funded deal is a dedicated group of specialists most brokers never see.
At PHL Capital Corp., that team runs on specialist autonomy and a culture of shared responsibility. PHL’s people are trusted to apply judgment and common sense to every file. When a deal gets complicated, the entire group leans in to structure it right. That collective accountability is what allows the company to fund quickly while avoiding unnecessary red tape. For brokers, it means a synchronized team working relentlessly to find a way forward.
Since its founding in 2006, PHL has funded more than $3.5 billion in loans and is approaching $1 billion in assets under management. For CEO Steve Ponte, that milestone reflects culture in action.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built. Reaching over $3.5 billion in loans funded is a massive feat, but it’s really a testament to our collective dedication,” he says. “Capturing the spirit of PHL means our people are always there to have each other's back and do the right thing for our stakeholders.”
Even as volume has grown, underwriting focus remains central. “We rely on a team trained deeply in the fundamentals of underwriting to provide the stability our partners need,” Ponte adds. That grounding enables PHL to handle non-conventional files with sound judgment while maintaining pace.
Key performance markers reflect that balance:
- Over $3.5 billion funded since inception
- Up to 75% LTV available on residential deals
- $30 million maximum loan size
This streamlined capacity immediately signals the firm's origination power. The $30 million ceiling shows a unique ability to adapt from residential bridge transactions straight through to large commercial projects. Leadership attributes that range to empowered specialists who can assess risk holistically and structure accordingly.
Aaron Duhra, Vice President of Sales and Origination, says brokers should think of PHL first when a borrower has a great story that does not fit a conventional bank box.
“Because our internal culture empowers our team, we don't just check boxes; we take a holistic approach to lending. We focus on the liquidity of the underlying asset and the borrower's exit plan rather than getting bogged down in rigid guidelines,” he explains.
That autonomy allows creativity within defined parameters. Instead of escalating difficult files, teams collaborate. The objective is not to force a file into a template, but to examine the asset, the exit, and the structure in full context. According to Duhra, seeing a deal come together for a borrower who believed options had run out remains one of the most rewarding outcomes for the team.
Jennifer Lowe, Director of People and Culture, says CMP’s Top Mortgage Employers 2026 recognition speaks directly to that internal operating model.
“We focus on building a professional environment where our team feels fully equipped to handle any deal. They find a path to ‘yes’ because we thrive on collaboration and working together to get the deal done.”
She adds that high-level accountability leads to smoother closings for brokers. Internal stability creates a predictable, fast experience when partners pick up the phone to call PHL.
PHL extends that support beyond origination through proactive renewal outreach:
- 90-day contact before loan maturity
- Early engagement to help brokers reconnect with clients
- Operational follow-up designed to strengthen retention
For Ponte, being named a top employer again this year confirms a simple truth: culture and deal outcomes are inseparable. “Success for PHL is when everyone wins, our investors find a secure place for capital, and our brokers get the reliable, common-sense solutions they can’t find conventionally.”
In alternative lending, capital is necessary. At PHL, leadership argues that culture is decisive. The dedicated people behind each file are what turns complexity into funded deals and gives brokers confidence that a team is already working the problem before they have to ask.
For more information, visit phlcapital.com
