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Loan Officer of the Month: Getting to Know Eduardo and Arianna

“Behind every loan, there’s a dream.” That phrase echoed throughout our conversation. Because at RBI Private Lending, it’s not just about funding projects — it’s about building stories. With Eduardo and Arianna, I discovered not just two outstanding Loan Officers, but two people driven by clarity, warmth, and vision. “I always wanted to understand the full business” – Eduardo Uriel: Eduardo, tell me a bit about your journey. How did you end up in the private lending world? Eduardo: I studied Economics in Boston, but from the beginning, I wanted to focus on real estate. I went through everything — construction, raising capital, flipping properties. I dove deep to understand each part of the business. I wanted to speak the same language as my clients. Uriel: And how did you land at RBI? Eduardo: I had known Andrés for years. At one point, I brought him a deal. It didn’t go through, but he liked how I worked. He told me, “I don’t need to ask anything else — come work with me.” And that’s how it started. Uriel: You came in with a solid background. What was the first real impact in practice? Eduardo: My first loan left a mark. It was a client who didn’t believe anyone would finance him. He was a contractor wanting to do a fix & flip. He was used to banks not even looking at him. But we pushed through, the loan got approved, and he called me to thank me. He said, “This is a dream come true for me.” That hit deep. Uriel: And that confirmed you’re where you need to be, right? Eduardo: Exactly. That’s when I realized this job isn’t just about approving a loan — it’s about changing someone’s life. “Opportunities aren’t waited for — they’re created” – Arianna Uriel: Arianna, your story is quite different. How did you get into this world? Arianna: I started with conventional loans, working as a broker with foreign clients. One day I got a call for an interview, but missed it. Three days later, I heard the voicemail and thought: “I’m going anyway.” I drove two hours from Fort Myers to Miami, showed up with my resume and told them I wasn’t going to miss the chance. Uriel: I know I’m about to make a long comment — so bear with me. But that story says everything about you. In this business, and in life, proactivity is everything. Some people wait for another call, another chance. Others — like you — don’t wait for a second invite. You got in the car and drove two hours without knowing what would happen. That alone tells me everything I need to know: you’re someone who will find a way. When faced with adversity, many people hesitate. But success doesn’t usually come to those who wait. It comes to those who act. Life’s road can be tough, sure — but the hardest part is making the decision. Once you’re clear on your direction, no obstacle is too big. Arianna: Thank you, Uriel. That means a lot. Uriel: Now tell me — how was the move to sales? Arianna: Andrés told me, “I want you to start here, but you’ll move to sales.” And that’s what happened. I started in processing, and once I got to sales, I realized how valuable it was to have gone through those earlier stages. Uriel: What’s the best — and toughest — part of being in sales? Arianna: I get really involved. If a loan falls through, it gets to me. It can ruin my day. But it also pushes me forward. I love helping people. I love making the impossible happen. Solving, deciding, moving forward Uriel: What’s your work rhythm like? What does being available really mean in this industry? Eduardo: I try to sleep as little as possible. I like making the most of my day. And in this business, that’s essential. What we bring to the table is speed. And to deliver that, you’ve always got to be one step ahead. Arianna: You can’t wait. If you miss a message, a deal can collapse. You have to be alert. But you also have to know your limits. Work-life balance is a huge challenge. Uriel: And how do you manage that? Eduardo: RBI helped us organize. There are systems, there’s a culture. But still, the commitment demands it. Sometimes a contract expires in one hour — and you have to choose between dinner with your family or saving a closing. Growth with purpose Uriel: Let’s talk about challenges. What are you trying to overcome right now? Eduardo: Scaling without losing quality. Doing five loans a month is one thing. Doing thirty is another. That takes processes, a team, and knowing how to delegate. And all that takes time and strategy. Arianna: For me, it’s about not carrying everything on my shoulders. I had a client who couldn’t close, and it hit me hard. But there are things we just can’t control. Education and Technology Uriel: How important is educating the client in all of this? Eduardo: It’s huge. These products aren’t like traditional loans. Many clients come in with the wrong expectations. You have to explain, to guide — and that takes energy. Uriel: And what about technology? Do you think AI can help in this industry? Eduardo: Yes — for internal processes. To filter, automate, organize. But it will never replace human interaction. When you have one hour to save a closing, you need someone who can think, who can call, who can feel. Arianna: Exactly. A client’s needs can change minute by minute. You have to understand them, talk to them, guide them. And no machine can do that.“What I do matters”Uriel: Eduardo, you mentioned driving by projects you helped finance — that really stuck with me. Eduardo: I do it often. Seeing a house that got built because I stayed late one night… it’s real. It’s tangible. It’s not just about lending money.