Coleman Report

A Coleman Conversation: Rocco Perate In this episode of A Coleman Conversation, Bob Coleman sits down with Rocco Perate, Executive Vice President at Meridian Bank, to revisit the rise of The Money Store, explore how it reshaped SBA lending, and discuss what it takes to build a high-performing SBA platform inside a community bank. Rocco reflects on his journey from traditional credit training to becoming a top-producing SBA lender, explains why local market knowledge still matters in a national model, and shares how Meridian balances growth, credit quality, and relationship banking. He also dives into the realities of revenue advance financing, the importance of liquidity for today’s entrepreneurs, and how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has shaped his leadership and outlook on life and business. Watch episode here: https://lnkd.in/eQtDk8n6 Topics Covered: ✓ How The Money Store helped bring SBA lending into the mainstream and pioneered a national, commercial real estate–focused model ✓ Rocco’s career journey from traditional bank training to underwriter, top-producing BDO, and EVP leading Meridian Bank’s SBA platform ✓ Building and managing a tight-knit SBA team at Meridian, with daily communication, transparency, and empowerment as core leadership principles ✓ Why liquidity and working capital matter more than ever for small-business borrowers—and how SBA structures can support stronger cash flow ✓ The misunderstood role of revenue advance/MCA financing and how SBA lenders can work with MCA providers when borrowers are stressed ✓ Lessons from Rocco's personal passion, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, on strategy, patience, and emotional control—and how those principles translate into better decision-making in lending and leadership #AColemanConversation #ColemanReport #SBALending #SmallBusinessLending #CommunityBanking #MeridianBank #TheMoneyStore #CommercialRealEstate #LeadershipInBanking #HighPerformingTeams #BusinessStrategy

SBA Veterans Advantage: Fee Waivers and Priority Processing for Veteran-Owned Businesses With Veterans Day tomorrow, it's a great time to highlight the veteran-specific eligibility, fee relief, and processing priority available under the SBA loan programs. Under the Veterans Advantage portion of the SBA 7(a) loan program: • No upfront guaranty fee on SBA Express loans up to $500,000 for businesses owned and controlled by eligible veterans. • Priority processing on SBA-handled (non-delegated) loans -- veteran files move to the top of the stack. • Lender-level incentives that can further reduce rates and fees. ✅Eligible applicants include: • Veterans (other than dishonorably discharged) • Service-disabled veterans • Active duty service members in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) • Reservists and National Guard members • Current spouses of any of the above • Widowed spouses of service members or veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability 📊 Veteran Lending Snapshot – FY 2025 • Just over 3,300 loans to veterans, totaling more than $1.34 billion in SBA financing • Other Veterans: 2,257 approvals — $919,369,500 (2.9% of total) • Service-Disabled Veterans: 1,047 approvals — $418,402,300 (1.3% of total) • Vietnam Era Veterans: 5 approvals — $2,951,000 (0.0% of total) The SBA has formally recognized the importance of giving special consideration to veterans in its loan programs. Pages 111 and 327 of SOP 50 10 8 for the 7(a) and 504 programs state: “SBA recognizes the importance of giving special consideration to veterans in its loan programs. SBA will prioritize processing applications from businesses that are owned by veterans when those loans are processed by SBA under non-delegated procedures. For loans processed under delegated procedures, SBA encourages Lenders to give special consideration to veterans during application processing.” With government backlog impacting Citrus Heights and other offices when operations resume, this directive moves veteran applications to the top of the pile. In addition to funding support, veterans can access specialized training and counseling through the Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) and the Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs). These programs provide guidance on business planning, financing strategies, and SBA certification. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ef_BfK_M #MainStreetMonday #ColemanReport #VeteransDay #SBALoans #SBAExpress #SBA7a #Veterans #VeteranOwned #VetBiz #SmallBusinessLending #GovernmentLending

The $45 Million Fraud that Ripped off 20 Nebraska Banks A Nebraska financial adviser has been sentenced in one of the state’s largest bank frauds. Jesse Hill, 35, of Hickman, received 5 years in federal prison for helping orchestrate a $45 million fraud that deceived nearly 20 banks across Nebraska and western Iowa. The scheme — built on fake investment statements and false collateral — collapsed after the death of Lincoln businessman Aaron Marshbanks in 2022, exposing losses that wiped out profits and jobs at community banks. Judge Susan Bazis called Hill’s actions “deliberate and calculated,” underscoring that white-collar crime can devastate communities. Watch Fraud Friday on YouTube here: https://lnkd.in/gK3Ama33 #FraudFriday #BankFraud #WhiteCollarCrime #FinancialCrimes #Justice #Compliance #RiskManagement #Ethics #NebraskaNews #FinanceIntegrity

Join us at this year’s Secondary Market Summit in Washington, D.C. on December 4 to explore how lenders can navigate today’s SBA landscape -- from $10 million caps to the latest “uncollectible” loan data and more. Discover insights that shape the secondary market and position your institution for success in 2025! Plus, our reception is being hosted at the esteemed Cosmos Club, courtesy of Eddie Tuvin. #ColemanReport #SBALending #SecondaryMarketSummit #SBA7a

CDC Small Business Finance Appoints Eric Orantes as 7(a) Loan Officer “Eric brings a well-rounded skill set to our team and to the borrowers he will be serving. He specializes in building strong relationships with his clients and tailoring financial solutions to meet their needs. Eric is passionate about supporting small businesses and empowering owners to reach their goals. I’m looking forward to the lasting impact he will make by helping local entrepreneurs thrive,” states Susan Lamping, Vice President of Sales, Small Business Lending for CDC Small Business Finance. Eric Orantes has been hired as a Loan Officer for CDC Small Business Finance, part of the Momentus Capital branded family of organizations. Eric will focus on SBA 7(a) Community Advantage loans up to $350,000 and SBA Microloans up to $50,000. While he's based in Los Angeles and dedicated to supporting his local community, Eric will also serve small businesses nationwide. Eric is a Los Angeles native with more than 13 years of banking and lending experience. “I’m excited by the opportunity to work with entrepreneurs, including small business owners in my local community. Supporting America’s small businesses strengthens the backbone of our country," says Eric. "In addition to helping these entrepreneurs obtain financing, I see my role as also educating potential borrowers and hopefully assisting with turning their dreams into an enterprise.” #SBA #ColemanReport #MoversandShakers #Congrats

Baker Lewis Positions for Growth with Addition of Former Live Oak Bank Executive Tom Eggleston “Hiring someone with a track record like Tom’s certainly turns heads,” says Baker Lewis CEO Dustin Baker. “But that’s not why I’m excited about him joining Baker Lewis. His ability to get under the hood, understand lenders’ challenges, and deliver real strategic impact is not something you can measure. We’re very fortunate to have him on our team.” Leading SBA executive search and talent consultancy Baker Lewis has announced the appointment of Tom Eggleston as Director. With more than 20 years of leadership in Human Resources and talent strategy, Eggleston brings unparalleled expertise in executive recruiting, organizational design, and people-centered growth solutions with a deep focus on SBA lending. In his new role, Eggleston will expand Baker Lewis’s services for existing clients and play a key role in growing the firm’s M&A and Advisory practice—supporting banks seeking to acquire SBA divisions, complete lift-outs, or identify executives capable of standing up robust departments from the ground up.   Prior to joining Baker Lewis, Eggleston held multiple senior leadership roles at the nation’s top SBA lender, including SVP / Head of People and Head of Growth. He has long been recognized as a trusted advisor to executives and business owners, with a proven track record of building leadership pipelines, driving organizational performance, and enhancing employee experience. #SBA #ColemanReport #MoversandShakers #Congrats

Chad Coester Joins Harvest as Vice President, Business Development Officer Harvest proudly welcomes Chad Coester as their new Vice President, Business Development Officer. Chad Coester is a seasoned financial professional with over 20 years of lending experience, known for his problem-solving approach and commitment to client success. He specializes in building strategic partnerships with Real Estate Agents and Loan Officers nationwide, bringing deep expertise in structuring complex transactions involving multiple parties. Chad’s goal is to deliver confidence and clarity in every SBA and Commercial Real Estate financing opportunity by offering creative solutions, proactive communication, and a collaborative mindset that ensures all stakeholders’ needs are met efficiently and effectively. #SBA #ColemanReport #MoversandShakers #Congrats

A Coleman Conversation: Frank Gallegos In this week’s episode of A Coleman Conversation, Bob Coleman sits down with Frank Gallegos, Executive Director of Cen Cal Business Finance Group in Fresno, to discuss his journey from SBA lender to leading one of California’s most impactful Certified Development Companies. Frank shares how Cen Cal drives small-business growth across the Central Valley through the 504 loan program, supports rural and agricultural communities, and continues to expand its reach through recent acquisitions in Santa Maria and Bakersfield. He also offers insights on the region’s evolving economy, from automation and AI to the challenges of tariffs, water access, and workforce costs. Watch episode here: https://lnkd.in/gg7sTVU7 Topics Covered: ✓ Frank’s career path from early SBA lending and banking to leading Cen Cal Business Finance Group, one of California’s most active CDCs ✓ Strategic CDC acquisitions in Santa Maria and Bakersfield that expanded Cen Cal’s footprint and preserved 504 access in underserved rural markets ✓ How the Central Valley’s agricultural economy—from nut and citrus processing to cold storage—drives community jobs and national food supply chains ✓ The top challenges facing small businesses today, including rising tariffs on imports, water limitations, and higher labor costs ✓ The growing role of automation and AI in improving productivity within agriculture and lending while maintaining customer data protection ✓ New microloan programs and city partnerships designed to expand capital access for small and emerging businesses across the Valley #ColemanConversation #FrankGallegos #CenCalBusinessFinanceGroup #SBALending #504Loans #SmallBusinessFinance #CentralValley #Agriculture #RuralDevelopment #EconomicGrowth

BayFirst Posts $12.4 Million SBA Small Loan Loss — OCC Action Looms BayFirst Financial Corp reported a $12.4 million loss from winding down its SBA 7(a) small-loan program, part of an $18.9 million Q3 net loss, according to its November 1 earnings call. The bank sold its SBA portfolio to Banesco USA at 97 cents on the dollar and said it expects further regulatory action from the OCC this quarter. BayFirst’s popular BOLT program once made it the nation’s 20th largest SBA 7(a) lender, with nearly 2,000 loans totaling $332 million. In August, the bank closed its SBA division and cut 51 positions, projecting $6 million in annual savings. CEO Thomas Zernick said the exit followed a strategic review “to de-risk the balance sheet” and refocus on BayFirst’s community banking mission in Tampa Bay. CFO Scott McKim added the bank still holds $167 million in unguaranteed SBA 7(a) loans and continues marketing the remainder. Read more details here: https://lnkd.in/gz3_Jcwf #SBA #SmallBusinessLending #CommunityBanking #ColemanReport #BayFirst #SBALoans #FinancialNews #BankingIndustry #OCC

320 Small Businesses Lose $170 Million in SBA Loans a Day During Shutdown Says SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler: “With the SBA’s loan programs shuttered, thousands of small businesses are now unable to access the vital funding they need to survive, let alone thrive – and will soon begin cutting hours and benefits, laying off workers, and contemplating closing up shop for good.” Attached is the SBA analysis by state for the weekly impact on SBA-guaranteed loans. #SBALoans #SmallBusinessCrisis #GovernmentShutdown #SmallBizMatters #ShopSmall #MainStreetUSA #ColemanReport