
Tax Efficiency Through Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI)
In the latest episode of Peachtree's Point of View podcast, CEO Greg Friedman sits down with Michael Parise, attorney and Chief Compliance Officer of Copper Beech Financial Group, to discuss one of the most over looked tax-efficient investment strategies available to high-net-worth investors: Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI).
As Michael aptly puts it, "It's not what you make, it's what you keep." This philosophy drives the conversation as they explore how PPLI can help investors significantly improve their net composite return—the actual return after fees, taxes, and inflation.
Private Placement Life Insurance offers a compelling tax-advantaged structure similar to a Roth IRA but with additional benefits specifically tailored for accredited investors and qualified purchasers. The structure allows investments to grow tax-free, with tax-free withdrawals and loans, plus income-tax-free death benefits to beneficiaries.
What makes PPLI particularly valuable for sophisticated investors is its flexibility with alternative investments. Unlike traditional life insurance products, PPLI allows investments in alternative asset classes such as private credit, private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, and real estate—all within a tax-efficient wrapper.
Key Takeaways:
- Tax-Efficient Growth: PPLI allows alternative investments to grow completely tax-free, with withdrawals available tax-free through basis withdrawals or low-interest loans
- Generational Wealth Planning: When structured properly with irrevocable trusts and younger family members as the insured, PPLI can create decades of tax-advantaged growth and transfer wealth outside your taxable estate
- Investment Focus: Unlike traditional life insurance that maximizes death benefits, PPLI is structured to purchase the minimum required death benefit while maximizing tax-efficient investment growth
- Minimum Investment: The strategy typically makes sense starting at $2 million in committed capital, which can be spread over several years
- Investment Considerations: Investors need to be aware of diversification requirements and investor control doctrine limitations, though these are typically manageable with proper planning
For investors currently allocating capital to tax-inefficient investments like private credit or hedge funds, PPLI deserves serious consideration. The simple math is compelling: if your tax savings exceed the roughly 1% annual cost to maintain the structure, you're capturing significant additional returns that would otherwise be lost to taxation.
As Greg Friedman notes in closing, "With all the impact of higher interest rates and inflation, tax efficiency should be a big part of everyone's investment strategy to really have that compounding effect."
Want to learn more about implementing this powerful tax strategy? Listen to the full episode of Peachtree's Point of View podcast on your favorite podcast platform and follow for more insightful investment strategies that can help maximize your portfolio returns.
To reach Michael Parise or Copper Beech Financial Group visit them online at Copper Beech Financial Group.

Disclaimer:
This material is being provided for informational or educational purposes only, and does not take into account the investment objectives or financial situation of any client or prospective client. The information is not intended as investment advice, and is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or invest in any particular investment or market segment. Those seeking information regarding their particular investment needs should contact a financial professional. Copper Beech Financial Group, our employees, or our clients, may or may not be invested in any individual securities or market segments discussed in this material. The opinions expressed were current as of the date of posting but are subject to change without notice due to market, political, or economic conditions. All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Additional advisory services offered through Copper Beech Financial Group,LLC, and SEC registered investment adviser. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.
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Peachtree Group Ranked Among the Largest Investor-Driven Commercial Real Estate Lenders in the U.S.

ATLANTA (April 3, 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) ranked as the eighth-largest investor-driven commercial real estate lender in the U.S., according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) 2024 loan origination rankings. In 2024, Peachtree deployed approximately $1.6 billion in commercial real estate credit investments.
“With a substantial volume of maturities on the horizon and trillions in debt coming due through 2028, the current environment increasingly favors private credit lenders like Peachtree,” said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree. “We’re well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities and help close the funding gap left by traditional capital sources.”
The MBA also ranked Peachtree as the seventh-largest U.S. commercial real estate hotel lender, marking its fourth consecutive year in the top ten. The firm also earned rankings across the office, multifamily, retail and industrial sectors.
“The hospitality sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, driven by strong demand fundamentals,” said Michael Harper, president of hotel lending at Peachtree. “We remain committed to supporting owners and operators with expansion, renovation and refinancing needs—leveraging our strategic capital deployment and adaptability to drive long-term value.”
Amid ongoing market volatility, Peachtree deployed nearly $500 million in credit transactions during the 2025 first quarter and is on track to exceed its 2024 production targets. Notable originations this year include:
· $59.0 million bridge loan – AC / Element Hotel, San Antonio, Texas
· $51.5 million bridge loan and Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) financing – Reserve at Vinedo, Paso Robles, Calif.
· $48.3 million bridge loan and CPACE financing – Yorkshire Apartments, Tumwater (Olympia), Wash.
· $43.0 million bridge loan – Home2 Suites / Tru Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
· $42.8 million bridge loan – The Jax Apartments, Monroe, Ga
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“Our fourth consecutive top 10 year underscores the strength of our credit platform and our ability to lend through business cycles. These results reflect our reputation for reliability and delivering certainty of execution, even in the most volatile of market conditions,” Harper added.
As a direct commercial real estate lender, Peachtree offers a full suite of financing solutions, including permanent loans, bridge loans, mezzanine financing, CPACE (Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy) loans and preferred equity investments. The firm further expanded its capabilities last year by launching a Triple Net Lease (NNN) financing program to better support sponsors.
Peachtree reaffirmed its position as a leader in CPACE financing in 2024, setting a firm record with 22 transactions totaling $316.6 million. The CPACE team also recently surpassed $1 billion in total transaction volume—an achievement few in the lending industry can claim—further solidifying Peachtree’s success in expanding its lending platform and providing innovative financing solutions.
MBA's annual originations rankings report is a comprehensive set of listings of 149 commercial/multifamily mortgage originators, their 2024 volumes and their different roles.

Peachtree Group Deploys $1.6 Billion in 76 transactions
Peachtree Group Deploys $1.6 Billion in 2024, Strengthening its Reach in Private Credit Lending
ATLANTA (Feb. 10, 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”), a diversified commercial real estate investment platform, deployed $1.6 billion in credit transactions in 2024, marking a 54% increase from 2023. This growth highlights Peachtree’s reach in private credit lending and its ability to provide financing solutions across multiple property types, including hospitality, multifamily, industrial and specialty assets.
Founded in 2007, Peachtree has evolved into a vertically integrated investment firm, strengthening its ability to source, underwrite and manage assets. Since 2010, it has played a key role in expanding private credit in commercial real estate, supporting hotels and other commercial real estate sectors. Through strategic growth, the firm has deepen edits leadership and expertise, accelerating expansion in commercial real estate lending.
The majority of Peachtree’s 2024 credit investments were concentrated in the hospitality and multifamily sectors, with $876 million and $392.3 million in transactions completed, respectively. The remaining $297.4 million was strategically deployed across industrial, land, mixed-use, retail, office and single-family residential asset classes, reinforcing Peachtree’s commitment to a diversified lending strategy.
“As we reflect on 2024, we executed a record level of transactions while expanding our lending platform to serve a broader range of commercial real estate asset classes,” said Greg Friedman, CEO and managing principal of Peachtree. “Looking ahead, we expect outsized growth by leveraging our private credit lending programs and launching additional initiatives to address underserved niches in the market.”
Since strengthening its credit team, Peachtree has executed more than $1 billion in commercial real estate transactions, underscoring its reach and execution capabilities in a challenging lending environment.
“With sustained high interest rates, reduced bank lending and $4.5 trillion in U.S. commercial real estate debt maturing by 2028, the need for alternative financing solutions is more critical than ever,” said Daniel Siegel, president and principal, CRE at Peachtree. “At Peachtree, we help borrowers navigate rising capital costs and liquidity constraints by offering flexible financing solutions across multiple asset classes.”
The Mortgage Bankers Association recognized Peachtree as the seventh-largest investor-driven commercial real estate lender in the U.S., further solidifying its position as a top-tier financing partner.
As a direct commercial real estate lender, Peachtree offers a full spectrum of financing solutions, including permanent loans, bridge loans, mezzanine financing, CPACE (Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy) loans and preferred equity investments. Expanding its capabilities, Peachtree also launched a Triple Net Lease (NNN) financing program last year to further support sponsors.
In addition to its broad lending platform, Peachtree continues to lead in CPACE financing, setting a record in2024 with 22 transactions totaling $316.6 million. The CPACE team also recently surpassed $1 billion in total transactions—an achievement few companies in the industry can claim—further cementing Peachtree’s position as a leader in structured financing solutions.
“As Peachtree continues to scale its lending platform, it remains committed to providing capital solutions that drive long-term value for borrowers and investors alike,” Friedman added.
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is a vertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support andgrow its investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.
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Peachtree Group Surpasses $2 Billion in Hotel Developments
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ATLANTA (Feb. 3, 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”) announced that the firm surpassed $2 billion in hotel development, bringing its total development portfolio to 48 hotels nationwide.
Peachtree's development journey began 17 years ago with a $10 million Fairfield Inn project in Alabama, establishing its expertise in hotel development with a focus on suburban, highway and tertiary markets across the Southeast and Midwest.
Today, Peachtree has expanded its reach, solidifying its leadership in hospitality development with projects not only in its traditional markets but also in urban infill locations nationwide. Recent milestones include topping out a beachfront hotel in Gulf Shores, Alabama and breaking ground on a dual-branded project in Uptown Dallas, Texas.
"Our early projects taught us how to build efficiently and effectively, setting the stage for the more complex and impactful developments we're delivering today," said Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO for Peachtree. "From suburban mainstays to urban landmarks, our team's adaptability and expertise have been the cornerstone of our success."
Showcasing its versatility, Peachtree leverages an experienced underwriting and project management platform to strategically expand its footprint into larger urban infill markets nationwide, collaborating with local development partners and pursuing larger investments.
Recent and ongoing projects include:
- Embassy Suites, Gulf Shores, Alabama: This beachfront hotel, the largest in the area, recently topped out and is set to open in summer 2025.
- AC and Moxy Hotel, Uptown Dallas: This 264-room, dual-branded Marriott-branded development broke ground in August 2024 and represents a milestone in urban hospitality development.
- Tru by Hilton, Huntsville, Alabama: a modern 98-room hotel designed for comfort and convenience, scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2025.

These projects and others under construction span the country and highlight Peachtree's ability to execute across a broad spectrum of hospitality asset types, from limited-service properties to high-rise, amenity-rich hotels. Peachtree has been a strong advocate of the Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program since its inception, strategically allocating capital to drive economic development and to meet the program’s objective of fostering revitalization and growth in underserved communities. Recent examples of Peachtree's success in QOZ developments include:
- AC Hotel by Marriott, Sacramento, California: This hotel transformed an underperforming surface parking lot into a signature downtown hotel and was recently awarded one of the city's Best Real Estate Projects for 2024.
- Residence Inn by Marriott, San Antonio, Texas: Succeeding an older-generation property, the hotel taking advantage of a premier location near strong demand drivers in a diverse and growing market.
- The Hampton Inn & Suites Maui, Kahului, Hawaii: A 136-room beachfront property and Kahului’s only branded hotel. Positioned to capture demand from both the cruise ports and the primary airport, it is set to open by the end of March.
The firm has been one of the most active hotel developers in QOZs, having already opened 10 hotels, with another five under construction and three in the pipeline in these designated areas.
“Hotels are more than just buildings; they are drivers of economic opportunity, creating local jobs and providing paths to meaningful careers in hospitality. By investing in underserved hospitality markets, we aim to support the growth of neighborhoods and contribute to their development,” Friedman said.
While Peachtree remains committed to its core expertise in suburban, limited-service hotels—exemplified by the Homewood Suites by Hilton project in Louisville, Kentucky—it has also embraced larger, more complex developments in primary markets. These projects reflect Peachtree’s commitment to diversifying its portfolio and creating long-term value.
"Our development strategy is about identifying opportunities where we can leverage our learned expertise and push the boundaries of what we can achieve," Friedman said. "Whether it's suburban efficiency, urban complexity or transformative Opportunity Zone developments, our team continues to deliver exceptional results for our stakeholders."
With a proven track record and a forward-looking approach, Peachtree is poised to continue leading the way in hospitality development. The firm's ability to balance efficiency, innovation and social impact ensures it remains well positioned to meet the evolving demands of the market.
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is a vertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.