Coleman Thursday’s Movers and Shakers

January 22, 2015

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Thursday’s Movers and Shakers

Rocco Perate Joins Beneficial Bank to Lead New Government Guaranteed Lending Group

“We’re dedicated to supporting businesses with the capital they need to grow and expand their operations,” says Gerard P. Cuddy, President and CEO of Beneficial Bank. “Under Rocco’s leadership, the new Government Guaranteed Lending Group is another way we’re doing what’s right for our customers, and helping them find the best financial solutions to meet their needs.”

Perate has more than 25 years of lending experience in the Philadelphia area and a demonstrated track record for developing successful government-backed lending functions at other institutions. Under his leadership, Eagle National Bank quickly became a top SBA lender in the Philadelphia region. Perate is a former recipient of the SBA Delaware district office Financial Service Champion of the Year award.

Live Oak Bank Adds California Wine Producers as a New SBA Lending Niche

Live Oak Bank is the nation’s number two SBA lender, focusing in specialty industry niches as dentists, veterinarians, insurance agents and funeral homes is doing it again.

Live Oak Bank is opening an office in the Napa-Sonoma wine country. The bank believes most existing lenders utilize conservative guidelines in their approach to credit for the wine producing niche. Live Oak Bank plans to fill a financing gap for those established in the industry that have strong cash flow, but lack appropriate collateral to secure loans with conventional lenders.

“The Wine and Craft Beverages industry is in growth mode, and we’re excited to enable that growth through financing,” says Kay Anderson, General Manager of Emerging Markets at Live Oak Bank. “We will focus on strategic partnerships within the industry and the knowledge of our senior lending team to quickly gain momentum.”

“I’m thrilled Live Oak is stepping into this space. Having been in the industry for over 20 years, I’ve seen the growth in the demand for lending,” says Jeff Clark, Domain Expert for the Wine and Craft Beverages segment at Live Oak. “Live Oak’s loan structure, cash flow credit orientation, speed and service differentiate us from other lenders in the space, and position us to meet that demand.”

Peter Hazel Named Vice President of North Brookfield Savings Bank

“With his extensive experience and community banking focus, Peter is an invaluable addition to our commercial lending team,” says NBSB President & CEO Donna Boulanger. “He understands the needs of businesses and is prepared to help them grow and prosper.”

Peter has more than 30 years of commercial lending and business development experience, including as Senior Vice President/Business Banking Officer at Fidelity Bank, in Gardner, MA, and Vice President of Business Development & Senior Commercial Lender at GFA Federal Credit Union, also in Gardner. He is proficient in Small Business Administration and USDA Rural Development lending programs.

Stacey Poynter Appointed Indiana SBA District Director

“We’re pleased about the continuity of having an experienced professional like Stacey to oversee our Indiana District,” says SBA Regional Administrator Marianne Markowitz, who oversees the Great Lakes Region. “He brings the knowledge, leadership and energy to strengthen the SBA’s network and to enhance the scope and quality of services that the Indiana District Office offers to small business owners and those wishing to start a small business in Indiana.”

Stacey says that he’s “excited about leading the SBA’s Indiana District Office and working more with small businesses, local governments, and community organizations. I want to ensure that we get SBA resources in the hands of those who want to start and grow their businesses. Indiana is my home state. I’ve lived here my whole life, went to school here, and this is where I choose to raise my family. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy. I look forward to strengthening an already healthy Indiana economy by getting more capital into the hands of small business owners and providing broader assistance for firms that want to do business with the federal government.”

Upcoming Small Business Lending Conferences

2015 Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference, February 23-25, Augusta, GA
National Alliance of Commercial Loan Brokers Annual Commercial Loan Broker Conference, March 8-10, Las Vegas, NV
NADCO Loan Processing Symposium, March 12-13, Sacramento, CA
NAGGL SBA Lending Technical Conference, May 5-7, San Antonio, TX
2015 Mid-America Lender’s Conference, August 31 – September 2, Dallas, TX
2015 FLAGGL Annual Conference, September 16-18, Orlando, FL