Coleman Movers & Shakers — John DeFranza Named SVP for People’s United Bank

July 13, 2017

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Coleman Movers and Shakers

Coleman Movers & Shakers — John DeFranza Named SVP for People’s United Bank

“SBA lending is a key component of the Bank’s strategic growth plans, so having access to John’s exceptional knowledge and national experience in this area is vital to our long-term success,” says Jeffrey Tengel, senior executive vice president, Commercial Banking, People’s United Bank. “We are very excited to welcome John to our team.”

DeFranza’s banking career spans 38 years, having depth of experience in retail, commercial, SBA and capital markets. Prior to joining People’s United, he was with Bank of America for 24 years, holding numerous management positions.
He had led BofA’s SBA business in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Central regions, having four times been ranked nationally as the top SBA producer. An active business and community leader, he has a keen understanding of Long Island and the New York boroughs and has managed Bank of America’s Business Banking Division in these markets.

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Pinnacle Bank Named SBA Preferred Lender

“We have a well-established SBA program in the Carolinas and Virginia that’s done terrific business for a number of years,” says Rick Callicutt, Pinnacle’s chairman of the Carolinas and Virginia. “Like Pinnacle, BNC was consistently recognized as one of the top SBA lenders in our markets. Together with our new partners, we’ll work to grow small business lending significantly.”

In SBA fiscal year 2016, BNC approved 52 SBA loans amounting to $42.1 million. Pinnacle recently added SBA-focused advisor Jim Gugliemino in Chattanooga, TN. He will remain at the Chattanooga office on Broad Street to serve small businesses in Tennessee.

“Supporting small business is one of our company’s primary objectives,” says Chip Higgins, Pinnacle’s business team leader. “We are one of the biggest lenders to Tennessee small businesses, and this new status will help business owners get access to the capital they need to grow.”

Now that Pinnacle has joined forces with BNC Bancorp, the firm’s SBA program will be based at the combined firm’s office in Greenville, SC.

Don’t Forget to Nominate your SBA Lending Professionals for Coleman’s 2017 Industry Awards