John Bonner

John Bonner

President

Success in real estate financing is not just about numbers on a page. It’s about a relationship and partnership committed to succeed.
 
We see ourselves as equally invested in your project as you are.

John Bonner

Our History Building a better way

It all started in 1994 when three colleagues from the banking industry, Dan Arnold, Joe Lynch and John Bonner, came to the same conclusion: Lot Development Lending is not a good fit for the regulated banking business.

They had witnessed first-hand how regulatory and bureaucratic processes made it difficult for banks to deliver quick and flexible solutions to an unpredictable lot development industry. Long project durations, erratic cash flows and highly cyclical markets meant greater risk to banks. The three partners saw opportunity and designed a much better way to serve the lot acquisition and development loan market.

Supported by permanent capital contributed by a long-tenured group of business executives and family offices, the partners formed First Continental Investment Co., Ltd. Over the following years, the group built a lending platform and internal team to meet the executional demands unique to the lot development industry.

The team later expanded to include homebuilder finance and lot development lending veterans Todd Aiken, Jeffrey Baker and Jeff Corbett, who combined with John Bonner have over 100 years of experience in this financing segment.

Together we understand that the lot development business is very capital intensive and subject to high levels of risk and volatility. First Continental has grown by financing one deal at a time, providing an unmatched understanding of the business and the flexibility to adapt with the borrower as the market changes.

The Values that guide us

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Outstanding Customer Service

We are service oriented; speed of execution, industry expertise and tenure of our team is what sets us apart. You can reach out to us at any time for advice and guidance.

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Long-Term Partners

If you’re in it for the long haul, so are we. Your satisfaction is our investment in the future. Our customers choose First Continental because the relationship is genuine and effective.

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Stability

Markets are cyclical and project absorptions change. Through it all, we give our customers stability, confidence and consistency.

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Well-structured deals

Every development, every customer is different. We structure customized deals that will work for your project.

The First Continental way Watch the video

The Executive Team leading the way

John Bonner

John Bonner

President

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John Bonner

President

John co-founded First Continental Investment Co., Ltd. in 1994.

In additional to his role as President at First Continental, John serves as Director of First Continental Mortgage, Ltd. Prior to his long-standing tenure leading First Continental, John has served on the Board of Directors for two banks, Senior Vice President of Farm & Home Savings, and held earlier roles with other lending groups, REITs and multi-family developers.

John has a proven track-record of operating successful financial institutions with an unwavering focus of delivering customer-oriented solutions to the lot development industry.

Todd Aiken

Todd Aiken

Executive
Vice President

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Todd Aiken

Executive
Vice President

Todd joined First Continental in 2004.

Prior to this role, Todd served as Senior Vice President, Regional Sales Manager and National Credit Manager of Washington Mutual’s Homebuilder Finance Team. Prior to his time at Washington Mutual, Todd served similar roles with First American Bank and Farm & Home Savings.

Todd has an extensive background in origination and underwriting of residential development and construction loans serving privately-owned local, regional and national builders and developers across the country.

Jeffrey Baker

Jeffrey Baker

Senior
Vice President

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Jeffrey Baker

Senior
Vice President

Jeffrey joined First Continental in 2013.

Prior to this role, Jeffrey served as Chief Operating Officer of RBC Builder Finance, a group operating a nationwide residential development and homebuilder finance platform. Prior to his time at RBC, Jeffrey served similar key management roles with AMRESCO Builder Finance Group, Charter Builders Group, First American Bank and Farm & Home Savings.

Jeffrey has wide-ranging experience in multiple business functions such as business development, loan servicing, operational risk and strategic initiatives.

Jeff Corbett

Jeff Corbett

Executive
Vice President

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Jeff Corbett

Executive
Vice President

Jeff joined First Continental in 2017.

Prior to this role, Jeff served as Vice President and Builder Finance Relationship Manager at Yadkin Bank. Prior to his time at Yadkin, Jeff served as Credit Analyst, Loan Production Associate and Relationship Manager at RBC Builder Finance.

Jeff has nearly 20 years of experience in loan production, underwriting and portfolio management, all specialized in the homebuilder finance industry.

Alyssa Pratka

Alyssa Pratka

Senior
Vice President

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Alyssa Pratka

Senior
Vice President

Alyssa joined First Continental in 2024.

Prior to this role, Alyssa served as Director and Senior Vice President for Homebuilder Finance at Cadence Bank. Prior to her time at Cadence, Alyssa served as Vice President and Relationship Manager at US Bank, and Credit and Portfolio Manager at Wells Fargo.

Alyssa has nearly 20 years of single family residential corporate lending and underwriting experience including: construction, acquisition & development, syndicated facilities (secured and unsecured), build-for-rent (construction/lease up) and land loans. Alyssa has mentored numerous industry colleagues over her tenure, has management experience and has specialty knowledge of single family workout circumstances.

Customer Service Team Excellence is Standard

First Continental Team!
Linda DeCarlo

Linda DeCarlo

Vice President

Whether you need help with your
current project or would like to
discuss the next, we’re always
available and here to help.

Linda DeCarlo

Next steps

If you think we’d be a good fit for your next project, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact us to discuss your project