Prestigious honor recognizes dynamic influence in transforming the housing industry
DENVER – September 2, 2025 – Merchants, a leading nationwide private real estate lender, announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Justin Land, has been named a 2025 HousingWire Vanguard award winner for his exceptional leadership and impact on the housing economy.
“This accolade is representative of the entire Merchants team, working enthusiastically each day to provide efficient and reliable capital to real estate investors,” said Land. “It’s an honor to be recognized by HousingWire among this group of industry leaders.”
Celebrating its 11th year, the HousingWire Vanguard award recognizes the housing industry’s most influential executives. This year’s 100 honorees were carefully chosen by HousingWire’s editorial team in collaboration with a panel of respected industry professionals for their vital contributions to company success, industry innovation, and market influence.
“The 2025 HousingWire Vanguards exemplify what it means to lead with vision and resilience,” said Sarah Wheeler, Editor-in-Chief of HousingWire. “These leaders aren’t just driving growth within their organizations, they’re shaping the future of housing itself. Their achievements reflect the innovation, adaptability, and commitment required to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving market.”
Read more about this year’s honorees here: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/introducing-the-2025-vanguards/
About Merchants
Merchants is a leading nationwide private real estate lender specializing in non-owner-occupied fix & flip properties, ground-up construction, multifamily, and DSCR financing. For over 60 years, the company has been a trusted partner for real estate investors across the U.S., excelling at funding complex transactions, providing logical loan structures, and delivering fast, predictable underwriting to meet the timing and transaction needs of the market. In 2022, Merchants was acquired by global investment firm KKR, expanding the company’s resources and reach in the real estate lending market. Further information is available at https://merchantsmtg.com/.
