April 4, 2022 Delaney SextonContributing Editor Main Street Monday – Community Banks are Necessary for Lending to Underserved Markets and Preventing Fraud “The Paycheck Protection Program rapidly and effectively deployed critical funding to small businesses, self-employed workers, not-for-profits, churches, schools, and other borrowers nationwide. The Program has helped these entities to maintain their employment and…

April 1, 2022 Delaney SextonContributing Editor Fraud Friday – PPP Lenders to be Investigated for Fraud Says DOJ Nearly two years since the start of the Paycheck Protection Program, officials have been relentlessly pursuing fraud within the relief program, some studies indicating that around 15% of all the programs’ disbursements were fraudulently obtained or improperly…

March 31, 2022 Delaney SextonContributing Editor Coleman Movers & Shakers – Omar Salah, Bill Harrigan, and Blair Smyly Comerica Bank Hires Omar Salah as EVP, Director, Small Business Banking Salah, a 20-year industry veteran, joins Comerica to fill the newly-created Director of Small Business Banking role, established to bolster Comerica’s services for small businesses. Last…

March 30, 2022 Delaney SextonContributing Editor C-Suite Wednesday – Community Advantage Program is Extended and Revised “America’s mission-driven lenders have been a critical partner to the SBA in getting much-needed financial relief to underserved businesses throughout the COVID pandemic. Scaling the SBA’s Community Advantage pilot program will help us build on that momentum, create a…

March 29, 2022 Delaney SextonContributing Editor SBA Hot Topic Tuesday – SBA FAQs on Fingerprinting for Character Determinations Although the Form 912 no longer exists, the SBA recently released the new Character Determination process. Lenders must contact OCACD@sba.gov for all character determinations. Information within the email should include the borrower’s name, the ETRAN number, and…

March 28, 2021 Delaney SextonContributing Editor Main Street Monday – SBA Releases Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Proposal The Small Business Administration released its largest proposed budget in the agency’s history, increasing the overall funding authority by $9.5 billion across the SBA lending programs. The proposed budget would have a zero-subsidy and be fully supported by…

March 25, 2022 Delaney SextonContributing Editor Fraud Friday – After 7 Years DOJ Realizes a Bad Decision is Not a Crime in Former Oregon Bank CEO’s Case “Although it took seven painful years out of my life, justice finally prevailed,” Dan Heine says. “I am grateful that the US Department of Justice finally did the…

March 24, 2022 Delaney SextonContributing Editor Coleman Movers & Shakers – Natalie Preston, Michael Ciavarelli, and Suzy Granger Fountainhead Hires Natalie Preston as VP Senior Loan Closer “Natalie is starting with us at an exciting time,” says Chris Hurn, CEO of Fountainhead. “There has never been more interest in the SBA and what it can…

March 22, 2022 Delaney SextonContributing Editor SBA Hot Topic Tuesday – Senate Small Business Committee Discusses Two Franchise Bills “For many small business owners, franchising has been a path to the middle class and financial security. For many others, opening a franchise has led to financial ruin,” says the Senate Small Business Committee’s Chair, Senator…