The Art of SBA Lending

The last time we sat down with Daniel was two years ago as he was closing out a $100,000,000+ year. This week, Daniel Park returns to The Art of SBA Lending Podcast to discuss what's changed in the market over the last two years, and how he's been able to keep up. Ray and Daniel go over where you need to stay consistent, and where you need to pivot in order to meet your goals year-over-year. Tune...

The SBA industry has long been rooted in traditional banking practices. However, with the advent of new technologies and the rise of alternative lenders, the landscape is starting to change.   In this episode, Ray sits down with Andrew Simon , Head of Digital Strategy at Exos Lending. Exos Lending is the newest non-bank lender in the industry and they are already shaking things up.    Andrew and R...

Increased rates. Cash Flow issues. General nervousness in the market. After getting spoiled with doable deals for the past couple years, BDOs are now facing a new reality. In this episode, Ray sits down with Shane Pierson to get into the weeds about who is winning in this market and how. Shane has been in the industry for over 18 years and now serves as the SBA National Sales Manager at Grasshoppe...

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of the Art of SBA Lending. In this episode, Ray Drew sits down with Shelise Evans, an experienced SBA closer, about her background and approach to closing loans. Shelise shares how she got started in the SBA industry and why she fell in love with the role of a closer. She emphasizes the importance of speed and communication in the closing process and shar...

Thank you for tuning into another episode of The Art of SBA Lending. This week on the podcast, Ray sits down with Sterling Birdsong. Sterling shares his journey in the lending industry, from starting as an intern at a community bank to becoming a successful SBA lender. He emphasizes the importance of building credibility and trust with the credit committee and shares his strategies for pre-flighti...

This week on the Art of SBA Lending Podcast, Ray welcomes SBA Legend Bruce Marks for a second time. Bruce Marks is a highly experienced and successful business development officer (BDO). With over 35 years of experience, he has closed over 1,300 SBA loans and has a proven track record of success. Bruce is known for his expertise in credit, SBA lending, and relationship management. In this intervie...

On this episode of the Art of SBA Lending, Ray and his guests discuss the new SOP changes and the potential impact of technology on the industry. They explore the challenges and opportunities that lenders face in adapting to new technologies and changing market dynamics. The conversation also touches on the importance of culture, talent, and risk management in the lending process. Key Takeaways: E...

In this episode of the Art of SBA Lending, host Ray Drew moderates a roundtable discussion on the future of SBA lending with Kevin Rafferty, Lynne Singletary, and Javier Jorge. They discuss the changes in SBA lending over the past decade, the impact of technology and remote work, and the importance of human judgment in the lending process.  Key Takeaways:  🔹SBA lending has become more efficient a...

We're turning the tables on this one.   In this episode, Bruce Boddie interviews your host, Ray Drew, on  his  journey to becoming a top-producing SBA lender and podcaster. Ray shares his journey in the lending industry and his philosophy for success.    He emphasizes the importance of effective communication, problem-solving skills, and exceptional customer service in the SBA lending industry. Ra...

📢 We are back and bigger than ever with a brand new season of the 🎙 podcast featuring: new formats and a new cast of characters.

Since the week after his 16th birthday, Paul Long has been in the banking industry. After working his way from Wells Fargo Bank Teller to a district manager, Paul transitioned to business banking and on to SBA.    In this episode, Ray sits down with Paul to discuss how having a strong team helps you build a successful SBA division, how customer service and personal branding makes a world of differ...

Chemical Engineering, Data Analytics, and SBA. One person ties these three things together and that's this week's guest, Brett Caines. Your host, Ray Drew, sits down with Brett to discuss his journey from chemical engineering to banking. Brett spent time as the CFO at Live Oak Bank before starting his own business, Lumos. Lumos is a data company that uses data to empower lenders to make decisions....

Ray sits down with Lizzie Slaton, newly appointed SBA Credit Manager at Dogwood State Bank. Lizzie shares her background in SBA servicing and underwriting, discusses her credit philosophy and indulges Ray as they share each others pet peeves.     https://www.artofsba.com/   -----------------------------------------------------   This episode is brought to you by the folks from Shatterbox.   Lender...

In this episode, Ray sits down with SBA legend John Handmaker. John is the Co-Founder and Chief SBA Lending Officer at Venturus. Tune in to hear John look back on his 35 year in SBA lending, from the Money Store days, to creating multiple SBA shops - and all the ups and downs along the way.   Venturus is a nationwide direct small business lender specializing in U.S. Small Business Administration (...

Today on the podcast, Ray travels to the NAGGL conference in St. Louis to sit down with Scott Oliver, Partner at Lewis Kappes. Ray and Scott discuss why attorneys are afraid of engaging on social media, the secrets behind his firms outstanding customer service, and some of the major pitfalls in SBA closings.  Scott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottoliver5/ This episode is brought to yo...

Amber Dorland is the Head of SBA Lending at FFB and this week, she stops by the podcast to discuss her role at the bank. As Head of SBA, she oversees origination, credit, operations, and servicing. Tune in to hear her take on SBA credit philosophy, building a remote team, portfolio management, the importance of character and grit in a small business borrower, managing sales people, and more! 

Matthias returns to the podcast to catch up on what he's been doing since quitting his w2 job back in May 2022. Matthias was an SBA loan closer for 7 years before making the decision to dive into the deep end of entrepreneurship and founded Pioneer Capital Advisory where he helps fellow entrepreneurs navigate the intricacies of SBA lending, and provides them with pathways to access capital to fuel...

In this podcast episode Ray points out 6 "selling points" that you are probably using, and why they are obsolete in today's market, and shares 3 effective strategies for separating yourself in the market place of SBA 7a lenders.

Ray sits down the president of VelocitySBA, Charles Rho. VelocitySBA is a non-bank lending company solely focused in 7a lending. They've been ramping up steadily, and have built a very solid team and are well-poised to continue to grow in 2023 and beyond.  Tune in to hear more about Charles background as a GE capital alum, the story of VelocitySBA, including the origin of the name, and to hear us...

Tim McGoff joins Ray to discuss the decisions and strategy that helped lead to Celtic becoming the #4 most active SBA 7a lender in the country - and they aren't stopping there. Tune in to learn how Tim, a sales professional with a technology/software background, (who's never been a BDO,) found himself leading Celtic's SBA sales team.   Watch on YouTube ! Link to episode: https://youtu.be/rDBUqLG8h...

Ray sits down with Matthew McElveen, President of GGL, Voyager Lending. Matthew is an SBA credit analyst turned BDO turned head of a division all within the last 6 years. Tune in to hear how this all came together, his plans for the shop, and what his #1 challenge is moving forward. 

For our 100th episode we have a very special guest:   Chelsea Krost!   Chelsea is a Mindset-Marketing Coach, Personal Branding Expert, and Top Performing LinkedIn Learning Instructor And like many of our attendees, a new parent! Chelsea was the producer and host of her first radio talk show at 16, Teen Talk Live, which was the catalyst to her dynamic career. Over the past decade, Chelsea has been...

SBA Sales Expert Robert "Bob" Rabuck joins the podcast to discuss his tenured career in SBA sales. Bob has CIT roots, helped build the Newtek sales recruitment and training program, and is now leading the sales team over at Fountainhead.    Watch the BDO awards: https://youtu.be/i9TL7VdZeeA   Contact Bob : rrabuck@fountainheadcc.com

After 30+ years in SBA lending, Mark Bryant is calling it quits. His  successor, Jordan Hallam will be taking over as Director of GGL at SouthState Bank. Tune in as we look back at Mark's tenured career in SBA and discuss the transition plan for the department.

In this episode Ray sits down with Javier Jorge and Eduardo Sosa, two prominent SBA directors who both happen to speak Spanish. Tune in to hear our discussion on how the SBA lending community can address, and even capitalize on a gap in communication between lenders and Spanish speaking communities.  BDO awards: Reserve your spot today! Nominations are open through Feb 15th: 🏆Top Producing BDO of...