Written by Abraham Galvan on June 3, 2026
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As Miami’s development pipeline continues to evolve, much of the conversation has centered on what is being built. Less visible, but just as critical, is how those projects are being financed.
One of the lenders increasingly shaping that equation is Zack Simkins, managing director at Vaster, a Miami-based private credit firm focused on high-end residential and transitional assets.
As some traditional banks continue to pull back from construction lending, particularly on complex or high-value deals, Mr. Simkins has positioned Vaster at the center of a structural shift in how real estate gets capitalized.
At the same time, his work sits directly at the intersection of several of Miami’s most defining trends including the migration of domestic wealth from high-tax states, sustained capital inflows from Latin America, and the growing reliance on private credit as developers seek speed, flexibility, and certainty of execution.
Mr. Simkins has become a go-to voice on these shifts, regularly providing insight on interest rate volatility, liquidity strategies, and evolving borrower behavior, while actively financing projects across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Mr. Simkins spoke with Miami Roday reporter Abraham Galvan.
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