A Coleman Conversation: Ray Drew
July 30, 2025
In this week’s episode of A Coleman Conversation, Bob Coleman speaks with Ray Drew, Managing Director of SBA Lending at Truliant Federal Credit Union and host of The Art of SBA Lending podcast. Ray is currently running for a seat on the NAGGL board of directors, bringing a fresh, next-generation perspective to the future of SBA lending.
With a passion for modernizing the program and protecting its integrity, Ray discusses his goals for board service, his views on SBA policy, and his commitment to giving back to the industry that helped shape his career. From leading a high-performing SBA team to building a personal brand through education and transparency, Ray shares a wide-ranging and insightful conversation on where the program has been and where it should go.
Topics Covered:
✓ Ray’s candidacy for the NAGGL board, his vision for modernizing SBA policy, and the importance of generational leadership
✓ His career journey from production to management at Truliant and how stepping back from direct lending has allowed him to take on new challenges
✓ Reflections on the COVID-era changes to the SBA program, the recent spike in defaults, and what really drove losses in the small loan segment
✓ Practical concerns from lenders: inconsistent audits, slow guarantee purchases, form updates, and SBA responsiveness on subordinations
✓ The threat of bad actors to the SBA program and why Ray believes trade organizations must take a proactive role in protecting its reputation
✓ Predictions about how AI and automation will divide the market into national, tech-driven lenders vs. community-based, relationship-focused players