A Coleman Conversation: Michael Bland
August 27, 2025
Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher
A Coleman Conversation: Michael Bland
In this week’s episode of A Coleman Conversation, Bob Coleman speaks with Michael Bland, Chief Credit Officer at Phoenix Lender Services. With over three decades in SBA lending, Michael shares lessons from his rewarding career in credit risk management, his approach to mentoring underwriters, and the challenges of today’s lending environment. He also reflects on the role of SBA in supporting Main Street, the economic uncertainties facing small businesses, and his parallel career as an award-winning science fiction author.
Topics Covered:
✓ Michael’s approaches to credit risk, judgment, and mentoring underwriters
✓ The complexity of SBA loans and importance of borrower interviews
✓ Community Bank and Trust’s lending sweet spots: business acquisitions, debt refinancing, and partner buyouts
✓ Impact of SBA regulatory changes (SOP updates) on underwriting practices
✓ Economic and global pressures, including tariffs and consumer confidence
✓ Leadership style focused on availability, guidance, and setting expectations
✓ His career as a science fiction author, from The Price of Safety trilogy to an upcoming AI-focused novel