Parkview Financial set a new record in 2020. Despite the pandemic and the market dislocation, the firm closed $600 million in construction loans nationwide, a total of 26 deals. More than half of this activity occurred in the fourth quarter, with $330 million in loan origination volume. Both the year and the quarter were the most active in the firm's history.

"I think there is a message about why this has been a successful year for Parkview. It is the result of a few different things—first, our structure enabled us to let us do more where other lenders were limited on what they could do," Paul Rahimian, CEO, Parkview Financial, tells GlobeSt.com. "Second, I think that it is important to note that we are in the position we are in now because our deals have historically penciled. We only underwrite and close deals that make sense regardless of where we are in the real estate cycle."

As a result of this strategy, the firm had only one loan enter default in 2020, during the pandemic. "It shows that our approach to how we underwrite deals is working," says Rahimian. "Ultimately, lending decisions shouldn't be just about the overall current economic climate—property valuations and pro formas need to be considered on a one-off basis that looks at the local market, supply and demand, inventory, and track record of the borrower."