Westlake Securities Advises Watermark Commercial Contractors on Chicago Atlantic Financing for Acquisition of Val-Chris Investments

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Westlake Securities ("Westlake"), a leading Texas-based middle-market investment bank, today announced that it served as exclusive financial advisor to Watermark Commercial Contractors, LLC ("Watermark") and its affiliates in securing a senior secured credit facility from Chicago Atlantic to fund the acquisition of Val-Chris Investments ("Val-Chris") by Watermark principals Ryan Larson and Chris Kopacek.

Watermark is a Texas-based multifamily general contractor. Larson and Kopacek are also principals of Lonestar Development Partners, a multifamily and build-for-rent single-family real estate developer founded in 2015 and based in Austin. Val-Chris, based in Irvine, California, has operated since 1975 as a private lender specializing in residential and commercial real estate. The acquisition adds a real estate lending and servicing platform alongside the principals' construction and development businesses.

The financing was structured to allow the principals to complete the acquisition and provide for additional growth capital as the business scales.

"Westlake understood the deal, brought the right capital partner to the table, and delivered a structure that preserves capital for our next phase of growth," said Chris Kopacek, principal of Watermark Commercial Contractors.

"Watermark's principals had a clear plan for Val-Chris, and our role was to find the right capital partner and a structure to match it," said Matt Andersen, CEO of Westlake Securities. "Chicago Atlantic was a strong partner throughout the process, and we look forward to working with both teams on future transactions."

"Val-Chris has built a durable lending and servicing platform over five decades, and Ryan and Chris bring the operating and capital experience to scale it," said Jay Fabian, Managing Director at Chicago Atlantic. "We were pleased to work alongside Westlake to provide a financing solution that supports both the acquisition and the next phase of the platform's growth."

For more information regarding this transaction or Westlake Securities' investment banking services, please contact [email protected].

About Val-Chris Investments, Inc.

Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Irvine, California, Val-Chris Investments is a private money lender that originates, places, and services loans secured by residential and commercial real estate. The company lends across eight states and funds loans through a network of more than 5,000 private investors. For more information, visit val-chris.com.

About Watermark Commercial Contractors, LLC

Founded in 1993 and based in Dripping Springs, Texas, Watermark Commercial Contractors, LLC is a multifamily general contractor focused on affordable and LIHTC housing. The firm has completed construction of more than 50,000 multifamily units and provides general contracting, pre-construction, and construction management services to developers across Texas. For more information, visit wmcctx.com.

About Chicago Atlantic

Chicago Atlantic is a private market lender focused on industries and companies where demand for capital exceeds traditional supply. The firm focuses on loans to esoteric industries, specialty asset-based loans, liquidity solutions and growth & technology finance. Chicago Atlantic has closed over $4.4 billion in credit facilities since inception. Chicago Atlantic's team of over 105 professionals has offices in Chicago, Miami, New York, and London. For more information, visit chicagoatlantic.com.

About Westlake Securities

Westlake Securities is an award-winning middle-market investment bank founded in 2003 and based in Austin, Texas. The firm has closed over $6.7B in transactions across mergers and acquisitions, private capital placements, and growth advisory for companies throughout the United States. To learn more, visit westlakesecurities.com. Securities and investment banking services are offered through FNEX Capital, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Westlake Securities is not affiliated with FNEX Capital.

SOURCE WESTLAKE SECURITIES, LLC