Coleman’s Movers and Shakers

May 6, 2015

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Movers and Shakers

Rachael Pokuta to Expand TMC Financing’s SoCal Footprint

One of the nation’s leading Northern California-based CDCs is heading to Southern California’s Inland Empire.

‘We’re excited to have Rachael on board to cover the Inland Empire region,’ says TMC Executive Vice President Rich Grant. ‘Her energy, enthusiasm and proven success will be a great asset to our Southern California team.’

‘I am impressed with TMC’s 30-plus-year history of small business advocacy,’ says Rachel.

‘Barbara Morrison has built a team whose drive and commitment has made TMC the top SBA 504 lender in Northern California and Nevada, and I welcome the opportunity to replicate that success here.’

Rachel says she relishes the niche of the SBA 504 financing program. “In my previous business banking roles, I was trying to fit a number of products to a client’s needs. Now I can focus on helping small businesses grow by stabilizing their occupancy costs and building equity for the future. For small-business owners, commercial property ownership can operate like a retirement plan and even create a legacy,” she says.

Prior to joining TMC, Pokuta’s commercial lending career included positions Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America.

Hanmi Financial Corp. Announces the Opening of Two New Loan Production Offices in New York and Georgia

Chris Hwang, SVP and New York Corporate Banking LPO Manager, will lead the New York LPO located at 1140 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, New York. The New York LPO will focus on middle market and C&I loans. Chris joined the Hanmi team in January 2015 and has more than 25 years of experience in community banking, serving in several senior level banking/relationship management roles at East West Bank, TD Bank, N.A., Flushing Bank, Korea First Bank, and Long Island Savings Bank.

A new LPO has also been opened at 3700 Crestwood Parkway, Suite 360, Duluth, Georgia. James Lee, FVP and Georgia LPO Manager, will lead the Georgia LPO, which will focus on SBA loans. James, who joined Hanmi in January 2015, has a decade of experience in mortgage, commercial, and SBA lending, having served as a LPO manager at Wilshire Bank and in loan officer roles at JS Capital Group and Centro Mortgage, Inc.

Silverio Robledo of SoCal CDC Selected As 2015 SBA Financial Services Champion of the Year for Los Angeles

‘I am honored and humbled to receive the 2015 Financial Services Champion of the Year award,’ says Silverio. ‘This award is a tribute to the tireless work performed by the SoCal CDC staff to address the financing needs of small business owners within our community.’

Robledo formed SoCal CDC in 2010 and began operations in 2011. Since that time, SoCal CDC has approved over 100 SBA 504 loans and successfully funded over $53 million resulting in the creation and retention of over 980 jobs. Coupled with a conventional first mortgage from partner banks, SoCal CDC’s SBA 504 activity provided over $152 million in total project financing. With over 60% of its loan portfolio consisting of individual loans under $500 thousand, 40% of the portfolio of loans to minorities and approximately 25% of the portfolio to women-owned businesses, SoCal CDC has made a difference in creating jobs and providing small businesses with access to much needed capital.

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