NewPoint Receives Firm Commitment in Only Seven Business Days Through FHA Express Lane Program

HARTFORD, CT — (March 5, 2026) — NewPoint Real Estate Capital (“NewPoint”) has received a firm commitment in only seven business days through the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Express Lane program for the refinance of a 130-bed skilled nursing facility located in the Hartford metropolitan area.

Since 2023, the owner has invested more than $2.5 million to fully modernize the facility – including upgrades to resident rooms, therapy and memory care areas, and key building systems – positioning it as one of the most desirable skilled nursing options in the region.

FHA launched the Express Lane program in June 2025 to expedite HUD Section 232/223(f) refinancing applications for residential care facilities. Designed for low-risk transactions, the program provides queue priority and a significantly accelerated review timeline.

In June 2025, the same month the program launched, NewPoint received the very first firm commitment ever issued through the Express Lane program, securing approval for the refinance of a 54-unit memory care facility less than a week after submission. By qualifying for this expedited review, the borrower obtained long-term, fixed-rate financing with enhanced certainty and the benefits of a highly streamlined approval process.

“The Express Lane program was designed to reward strong operators with a faster, more predictable path to FHA financing – and we’re proud to have been at the forefront from day one,” said Erik Lindenauer, President of Healthcare and FHA Lending at NewPoint. “Securing the program’s very first firm commitment and now delivering another approval in just seven business days underscores our team’s deep expertise and commitment to execution certainty for our clients,” he added.

About NewPoint Real Estate Capital
NewPoint Real Estate Capital LLC (“NewPoint”) is a national commercial real estate finance firm offering lending solutions across multifamily, affordable housing, seniors housing, healthcare, and manufactured housing sectors. The firm leverages technology, data, capital, and the expertise of its industry-leading team to provide loan origination, servicing, execution, and a suite of financing products to meet the evolving needs of borrowers. In addition to being a Fannie Mae DUS®, Freddie Mac Optigo®, and FHA/HUD MAP and LEAN lender, NewPoint also offers proprietary affordable housing financing. NewPoint Real Estate Capital is owned by Franklin BSP Realty Trust (“FBRT”). FBRT is externally managed by Benefit Street Partners L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Franklin Templeton”), one of the world’s largest independent investment managers with $1.7 trillion in total assets under management (as of January 31, 2026).

Media Contact
Dina Finnegan
Dina.Finnegan@NewPoint.com
703-282-2516

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Lindsey Crabbe
L.Crabbe@BSPCredit.com
214-874-2339