Sachem Capital

John L. Villano chairs the company and holds the roles of CEO and CFO, giving him direct control over capital allocation and loan underwriting standards. The firm's small executive structure concentrates decision-making in a single principal rather than a committee. This is uncommon for a publicly traded entity but typical of founder-led hard-money lenders.

Sachem originates short-term, first-lien mortgage loans primarily to real estate investors who purchase, renovate, and resell residential properties — a strategy often called fix-and-flip lending. Loan terms typically run six months to three years, with interest rates reflecting the transitional nature of the underlying collateral. The portfolio also includes some commercial bridge loans.

Sachem voluntarily revoked its REIT election in January 2024 to gain more flexibility in retaining earnings for portfolio growth rather than distributing nearly all taxable income to shareholders. The move to a taxable C-corporation structure allows the firm to compound capital on its balance sheet without the distribution requirements imposed on REITs.

Sachem funds its loan origination through a mix of revolving credit facilities, unsecured notes sold to retail investors, and retained portfolio income. The firm has issued publicly registered bond offerings with relatively high yields, reflecting the risk profile of its underlying hard-money loan portfolio.

Sachem's lending is concentrated in Connecticut, where the firm is headquartered and has its deepest origination network. The company has expanded into Florida and other Northeast states, though the majority of its loan collateral remains in the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

Sachem is publicly listed on the NYSE American exchange, which imposes SEC reporting requirements and gives retail and institutional investors liquid access to its loan portfolio's performance. Unlike private lenders that syndicate loans or sell them shortly after origination, Sachem typically holds the loans on its own balance sheet and services them in-house.

Sachem does not operate a co-investment model or syndicate deals to external limited partners. The firm originates loans using its own capital base, funded by debt issuance and retained earnings, and does not participate in fund structures alongside institutional asset managers or other lenders.