Coleman Thursday’s Movers and Shakers

October 23, 2014

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Coleman Report

Donna Serres New Wells Fargo SBA Head

Reports the Portland Business Journal’s Matthew Kish.

Wells Fargo has named Donna Serres the head of its national SBA lending arm. She will oversee 430 bankers in 50 states.

Serres previously served as national production manager for the bank’s SBA division. She replaced Minneapolis-based David Rader, who retired.

“I don’t envision making a lot of changes,”Serres said. “The business is doing extremely well.”

Wells Fargo recently announced an effort to make $100 billion in small business loans over five years.

Serres, who lives in Oregon City, said working with small business owners remains her favorite part of the job.

She recently visited a Portland-area bakery with a line that snaked around the corner. She was part of the team of bankers a year ago that worked on an SBA loan for the bakery.

“It’s very fulfilling to see that happen,” she said. “That’s what drives me and it drives our team.”

“During her career, Donna has been a tremendous leader who has achieved success by developing strong, customer-focused teams,” said Hugh Long, head of business banking. “We are confident she will provide the leadership and support to build on Wells Fargo’s track record in SBA lending and ensure our team continues to deliver outstanding service to our customers and to expand outreach to businesses in every community we serve.” Read More

Congressman Lance Named a Guardian of Small Business by NFIB

“Small businesses are the engine that drives our economy forward,” said Lance, who was recently named ‘Hero of Main Street’ by the National Retail Federation. “Seven in ten jobs are created because of small businesses and as representatives we must give them the tools they need to grow, expand and create jobs. I am proud to receive this award and will continue to support New Jersey’s small businesses.”

NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner praised Lance for standing up for small-business. “The record shows that Rep. Lance is a true champion of small business, supporting the votes that matter in the 113th Congress,” said Danner. “This award reflects our members’ appreciation for supporting the NFIB pro-growth agenda for small business. Small-business owners are very politically active – paying close attention to how their lawmakers vote on key business issues and stand by those who stand for them.” Read More

Grace Conners Joins Syracuse SBA

Grace H. Conners is the newest employee at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Syracuse office. In Conners’ role as Lender Relations Specialist, she will focus on marketing SBA lending programs and conduct lender outreach, training and development.

Prior to the SBA, Conners spent over four years at Solvay Bank serving in various financial positions.

Upcoming Small Business Lending Conferences

NAGGL 2014 Annual Meeting, October 28-30, Huntington Beach
2014 Upstate NY SBA Lender Conference, November 5, Rochester, NY
American Banker/RMA Small Business Banking Conference, November 19-21, Miami
Coleman’s 7th Annual SBA Secondary Market Forum, December 2, Washington D.C.
Coleman’s 15th Annual Rural Lender’s Roundtable, December 3, Washington D.C.
2015 Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference, February 23-25, Location TBA
National Alliance of Commercial Loan Brokers Annual Commercial Loan Broker Conference, March 8-10, Las Vegas