Bison Financial Group Research
Advisory Approach
Bison Financial Group is an entrepreneurial real estate capital advisory firm founded in 1994 by brothers David and Jared Repka. The firm operates with a distinctive thesis: they specialize in sourcing and arranging capital for complex, value-added commercial real estate transactions where time is of the essence and traditional lenders may not tread. Their sweet spot is distressed properties with tremendous upside potential, entitlement issues, difficult sellers, occupancy problems, and environmental challenges—situations that institutional "cookie cutter" investors typically avoid.
The firm's positioning is built around speed and creative problem-solving. Bison boasts a track record of closing transactions in as little as 4, 8, and 11 days—a capability that sets them apart in an industry where financing timelines typically stretch to months. This acceleration from "standing start to 30 mph in 3 steps" (as symbolized by their running Bison logo) is their competitive edge.
Sector Focus
Bison Financial Group concentrates exclusively on commercial real estate across multiple property types and capital structures. Their primary expertise spans:
- Multifamily Housing: From Class B/C garden apartments to scattered-site rental portfolios, with deep experience in cash-out refinancing and rehabilitation financing
- Special Purpose Commercial: Single-tenant net lease (STNL) properties including medical facilities, dialysis centers, and specialty retail
- Development and Construction: High-leverage construction loans, including proprietary programs offering 100+% loan-to-cost for qualified sponsors
- Distressed and Opportunistic: Properties with "stories"—complicated situations requiring creative structuring and rapid execution
- Renewable Energy: Infrastructure and waste-to-energy projects
Geographically, while Bison's core market is Florida (particularly Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Orlando, and statewide), they actively transact in other compelling markets nationwide including Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, Tennessee, and the Northeast.
Deal Track Record
Since 1994, Bison has participated in over $2 billion in real estate transactions as principals or advisors. Recent representative transactions include:
- $28.55 million permanent loan on 304-unit scattered site rental portfolio (Central Florida)
- $32 million construction loan for 100% of project cost across multiple locations (Florida and New Jersey)
- $24.5 million refinance on Gulf of Mexico beachfront hotel (St. Pete Beach, FL)
- $17.5 million acquisition loan for waterfront resort marina (St. Augustine, FL)
- $15.5 million acquisition loan for office complex closed in 17 days (Miami, FL)
- $15 million line of credit for scattered site rental portfolio (nationwide)
- $12.5 million specialty loan participation secured by portfolio of luxury movie theaters
- $12 million cash-out refinance business loan secured by 1,100-acre dirt mine (Orlando, FL)
- Multiple Wawa gas/convenience store construction loans at 100% LTC (Northeast USA)
The firm has arranged 28+ closings with a single key principal, demonstrating exceptional client retention and relationship depth.
Process & Fee Structure
Bison operates as an intermediary and advisor, not a direct lender. Their process:
- Sniff Test: Rapid initial assessment of deal viability
- Capital Sourcing: Access to proprietary capital sources including hard money lenders, private equity investors, banks, life insurance companies, hedge funds, Wall Street conduit lenders, and Fannie Mae DUS lenders
- Execution: Full deal management from term sheet to closing
- Timing: Emphasis on rapid closings (8-17 days for complex transactions)
The firm earns fees through loan placement and advisory services. While specific fee structures are not publicly disclosed, typical industry practice for commercial mortgage brokers includes:
- Placement fees: 0.5-2% of loan amount, paid by lender or borrower
- Advisory/retainer fees: For complex transactions requiring extended advisory work
- Success fees: For acquisition and capital-raising engagements
Minimum engagement size appears to be approximately $500,000 based on their track record.
Buyer Network
Bison maintains relationships across the capital spectrum:
Lender Types: Hard money lenders, private equity investors, regional and national banks, life insurance companies, hedge funds, Wall Street conduit lenders, Fannie Mae DUS lenders
Equity Sources: Private equity partnerships, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, institutional real estate investors
Notable Relationships: The firm has closed 12+ transactions for Wawa (convenience store chain) construction financing, indicating strong relationships with national retail developers and their capital providers.
Competitive Positioning
Bison differentiates through:
- Speed: Track record of 4-17 day closings on transactions that typically take months
- Complexity Expertise: Willingness to tackle deals others avoid—environmental issues, entitlement problems, difficult sellers
- High-Leverage Programs: Proprietary access to 90-100+% loan-to-cost financing for qualified sponsors
- Relationship Depth: 28+ closings with a single principal speaks to client loyalty
- Principal Experience: Founders have 30+ years as real estate developers and investors, not just bankers
Not a Fit If
Bison is not suited for:
- Traditional operating company M&A (they focus exclusively on real estate)
- Small transactions below $500,000
- Borrowers seeking low-cost, slow-moving institutional financing (Bison's value is speed and creativity)
- Clients requiring FINRA-registered broker-dealer services (Bison is not securities-registered)
Team
David Repka, Co-Founder and President. 30+ years in real estate investment and development. Started as an 18-year-old college freshman renovating an 18-unit apartment building in Buffalo. Founded Bison in 1994 after moving to Florida in 1991. Has been involved in over $1 billion in transactions as principal or advisor. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrepka. Email: dave@bisonfinancial.com. Phone: 727-537-0330.
Jared Repka, Co-Founder and Managing Member. Brother of David. Grew up in Buffalo, NY; moved to Florida in 1987 for college. Co-founded Bison in 1994 when the brothers "shared one desk, one phone and one client." Has closed over $1 billion in transactions. Background includes television production (hosted public access cable show "Living Under Dynamic Attitude" for 100+ episodes). Email: jared@bisonfinancial.com. Phone: 727-537-0208.
Geographic Coverage
Primary: Florida (Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Orlando, Miami, Jacksonville, Sarasota, West Coast Florida)
Secondary markets: Texas, North Carolina (Charlotte), Georgia, New Jersey, Tennessee (Nashville), Northeast USA, New York (Upstate), Maryland (Baltimore), Indiana
Headquarters: 735 Arlington Avenue N., Suite 110, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Important Note
Bison Financial Group is not a traditional M&A investment bank. They are a real estate capital advisory firm that arranges debt and equity financing for commercial real estate transactions. They do not provide sell-side or buy-side M&A advisory services for operating businesses. Their focus is exclusively on real estate assets, property acquisitions, development projects, and recapitalization of real estate portfolios.