Coleman Movers & Shakers — James DeSantis, Stephanie Schwandt, Capital Bank/First Tennessee Bank
June 6, 2019
By Bob Coleman
Editor, Coleman Movers & Shakers
Coleman Movers & Shakers — James DeSantis, Stephanie Schwandt, Capital Bank/First Tennessee Bank
James DeSantis Named Director of Credit Operations for Newtek
Barry Sloane, Chief Executive Officer, says, “As we are growing our BDC and portfolio company lending programs – SBA 7(a), SBA 504, non-conforming conventional loans and receivables and inventory financing – adding the talent and experience of James DeSantis as an overall supervisor of credit and managing the underwriting teams will significantly enhance our lending operations and attention to credit detail. We are fortunate to be able to pick up someone with over 30 years’ experience working for top lending organizations in the U.S. with a focus on middle-market and small- to medium-sized business credit. James DeSantis is now the third recent executive that comes to Newtek and its portfolio companies with a GE Commercial Finance pedigree and history.”
Mr. DeSantis comes to Newtek Small Business Lending with an extensive background in credit underwriting, portfolio management, and lending operations. As Director of Credit Operations, Mr. DeSantis will report to Peter Downs, Chief Lending Officer, and will be responsible for supervising all aspects of credit and credit underwriting across Newtek’s various lending programs. Prior to joining Newtek, Mr. DeSantis was Chief Credit Officer and Vice President at The Credit Junction Inc. Prior to The Credit Junction, Mr. DeSantis spent 14 years as a distinguished executive at GE Commercial Finance most recently as Senior Vice President, Portfolio and Underwriting Corporate Lending Group. Prior to GE, Mr. DeSantis held positions at Congress Financial Corporation, Bank of America Business Credit/Security Pacific and Citicorp. Industrial Credit.
Stephanie Schwandt Promoted to Regional Account Manager for Stone Bank
Vincent Muratore, President of Stone Bank’s SBA Loan Division, announces Stephanie Schwandt of Destin, Florida is promoted to Regional Account Manager and Government Guaranteed Lending Specialist for the Arkansas-based bank. In her first year in the position Ms. Schwandt has generated over $25 million in SBA loans.
Stephanie Schwandt has been helping small businesses for over 30 years with SBA and commercial loans. Her background in all aspects of commercial banking, as well as her personal experiences in family owned businesses, give her a unique understanding of the needs of small business owners.
Stephanie earned a BS in Finance and Accounting from Louisiana State University. Her commercial banking experience includes underwriting, sales and management. Stephanie has professional memberships in FAMP (Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals) and CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member). She participates in trade events and speaks to organizations who specialize in assisting small businesses.
Capital Bank/First Tennessee Bank Named PLP Lender
“We are excited about growing to meet the needs of small business owners, who drive our nation’s economy,” says Adrienne Sipe, First Horizon’s director of government guaranteed lending. “One of our goals is to be easy to do business with and our experienced staff and specialized technology help small business owners navigate the process as easily and efficiently as possible.”
The PLP status allows the company to streamline the loan process through Capital Bank and First Tennessee Bank, and offer greater products and services to business communities across the Southeast.
First Horizon’s specialty loan team, led by Sipe, includes Tom Owens as sales manager, Meredith Hardegree as underwriting manager and Cookie Parks as loan process and documentation manager. Kevin Collins, who has been with First Tennessee Bank for more than four years, is operations manager and Makayla Riggs has been hired as the customer experience specialist.
Upcoming SBA Lending Professional Industry Events
Great Lakes Lenders Conference, July 23-25, Detroit
America East Small Business Lending Conference 2019, August 14, 2019, Mashantucket
Music City Small Business Lenders Conference, August 26-28, 2019, Nashville
FLAGGL Small Business Lenders Conference, September 18, 2019, Orlando
Lend360, September 25-27 2019, Dallas
National Alliance of Commercial Loan Brokers, October 4-6, Henderson, NV
NADCO, October 15-18, Nashville
NAGGL, October 28-30, New Orleans
Restaurant Finance & Development Conference, November 11-13, Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas