First Bridge
Lending — Est. 2012
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Private Lending · Western U.S.

Capital that closes,
before the market moves.

Since 2012, First Bridge has funded over $1.2 billion in commercial and residential bridge loans — from $100K to $10M, decisioned by principals, often closed within a week.

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$1.2B+
Originated
100+ yrs
Principal experience
5–10 days
Typical close

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Tell us about the property — we'll respond within one business day with terms.
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What sets us apart

Six things every borrower can count on.

Most lenders move slowly because they have to — internal committees, syndicated capital, layered approvals. First Bridge is principal-funded and principal-decisioned. The person who answers your call is the person who approves your deal.

01

Certainty of Execution

A two-decade reputation built on fast, creative, reliable financing — closing every loan we commit to.

02

Discretionary Capital

Full discretion over our own balance sheet — no syndicate, no external committee, no surprises at the closing table.

03

Front-Line Credit

Our principals collaborate on every approval, giving clients meaningful feedback and term clarity from day one.

04

Speed

Streamlined underwriting and a flat decision structure means we close loans in days, not months.

05

Multi-Strategy Platform

Commercial bridge, business-purpose 1–4 SFR, and owner-occupied residential bridge — one team, three product lines.

06

Entrepreneurial Expertise

100+ combined years lending on and investing in real estate. We've sat on both sides of the table.

Loan Products

Built for moments traditional financing can't reach.

Whether you need to transact in seven days, unlock equity from a unique asset, or bridge into a new primary residence — we structure to the deal, not the box.

Commercial Commercial property
Commercial Bridge
Multifamily · Office · Retail · Industrial

Short-term capital for time-sensitive acquisitions, value-add repositioning, and refinances ahead of permanent debt.
Residential Residential property
Residential Business-Purpose
1–4 SFR · Fix & Flip · Rental

Investment-property loans on single-family and small multifamily — purchase, cash-out, or value-add programs.
Owner-Occupied Owner-occupied home
Owner-Occupied Bridge
Primary Residence · Buy Before You Sell

Buy your next home before selling the current one — without contingent offers or compromised pricing.
$1.2B+
Capital deployed
Across commercial & residential since 2012.
$100K–$10M
Loan range
From single-property to multi-asset facilities.
5–14 days
Typical close
From signed term sheet to wire.
2 offices
Statewide coverage
Petaluma & Del Mar — serving the Western U.S.
The people behind the wire

A small team. On purpose.

Four principals at one decision table. Three originators on direct dial. No external committee, no warm-transfer — the people below are who you'll actually talk to at the term sheet, at the closing table, and the week after you fund.

Michael Joseph
Michael Joseph
Principal

Wharton MBA. Cut his teeth in real estate finance at Continental Illinois, then nineteen years brokering commercial mortgages. Twenty-five years lending his own capital.

Capital marketsCommercial debt
Louis Bardis
Louis Bardis
Principal

Co-founded the Northern California Mortgage Fund series in 2012. Underwrote private loans for HNW clients out of Marin before that. MS Finance, USF.

UnderwritingFund management
Matt Moran
Matt Moran
Principal

Stanford econ. Founding partner of four opportunity funds at William Wilson & Assoc. — the $1.2B Cornerstone merger, later sold to Equity Office for $6B. Board director, Hudson Pacific (NYSE: HPP).

StrategyCapital
Brian Haines
Brian Haines
Principal

12 years at Owens Financial Group, originating $500M+ in commercial and multifamily debt. Past President, Bay Area Mortgage Association. Penn State.

OriginationsCredit
Christopher Carey
Christopher Carey
Director of Originations

34 years in mortgage lending. Started as a 2nd-mortgage underwriter at Household Finance; became top producer at several national lenders. Several hundred loans originated since joining First Bridge in 2015.

OriginationsWholesale
Roxana Amaya
Roxana Amaya
Originator

Nine years at First Bridge — including running loan servicing, which gave her a sharp eye for the red flags that show up before everyone else sees them.

OriginationsServicing
Plus Jamie Shea on originations — and the underwriting, processing, and servicing teams behind every close.
Meet the full team →
Featured transactions

Recent deals.

A snapshot of what we've funded recently. Every loan is principal-approved and structured to the borrower's plan.

Residential Bethel Island property
$225,000
Bethel Island, CA · Refinance
LTV
35%
Term
9 mo
Type
LTV
Fix & Flip Newport Beach property
$3,750,000
Newport Beach, CA · Purchase
LTPP
69%
Term
12 mo
Type
LTPP
OO Bridge Murrieta estate
$3,000,000
Murrieta & Canyon Lake, CA
LTV
47%
Term
12 mo
Type
LTV
View all transactions →
Have a deal in motion?

Talk to a principal — today.

We respond to inquiries within one business day. Term sheets typically within 48 hours of receipt.

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