Coleman Movers & Shakers — John Shen Accepts Coleman SBA 504 Lender of the Year Award

December 21, 2017

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Coleman Movers and Shakers

Coleman Movers & Shakers — John Shen Accepts Coleman SBA 504 Lender of the Year Award

Coleman: Congratulations on being named Coleman SBA 504 Lender of the Year!

“I am flattered and honored. I know this award is one of the highest honors for the most accomplished leaders in the industry, and with so many companies playing significant roles in the business this past year it’s an honor to be recognized. Think about how many banks and non-bank lenders have been involved in the SBA 504 Loan program this past year – hundreds of them. It is just amazing. I really value Coleman’s acknowledgment of the superb track record of my company American Lending Center.

“American Lending Center is the only established SBA 504 first loan lender in the country that almost exclusively utilizes the EB-5 program to raise lending capital. Because of the requirements of the program, American Lending Center is thus more accountable, transparent, and makes stronger efforts to track and document job creation than other SBA 504 lenders. This is the biggest difference.”

Coleman: What would you think might be the most significant challenge for an SBA 504 Third Party Lender?

“Communication and synchronization with the Certified Development Company (CDC) and any other lenders involved. Every SBA 504 project that engages American Lending Center has at least two, often three, private lenders also working with the CDC. The processing and review of an SBA 504 loan application can be significantly more complicated than those of a typical commercial loan where only one single lender is involved. In the SBA 504 Program, all the players must work as a team to put the pieces together.”

Coleman: Why does American Lending Center focus on hospitality new construction projects?

“Construction is one of the most reliable and verifiable sources of job creation in the EB-5 business, and thus one of the most adopted EB-5 project types due to the generally consistent cash flow in building and staffing of hotels.”

Coleman: I know American Lending Center has a nationwide lending program for SBA 504; what would be your geographical restrictions, if any?

When the EB-5 Program is the funding source, the project location must qualify as a “Targeted Employment Area,” or TEA, defined by its unemployment rate or designated as such by the state. Other than that, there aren’t restrictions or preferred areas. American Lending Center is committed to investment in deserving businesses anywhere, including those in rural and other underserved areas, and will not simply focus on investment in developments in major urban areas. So far, the company has completed funding projects in 16 states.”

Coleman: What do you think about the growing trend of foreign direct investment in US small business lending?

“Foreign direct investment can continue to grow in this industry and fund more small business projects here in the US. I think current SBA policies will stay as supportive, if not more so, under the Trump administration. American Lending Center alone has provided over $175 million to American projects, recruited fully from EB-5 investors. Less stringent regulations could certainly allow even more non-conventional lending operations to play a bigger role in small business lending.”

Coleman: What motivates you and your team in small business lending in general?

“In this industry, every day we hear great stories of small business owners. They are just like you and me, but their passion for their businesses and their burning desire to succeed, in my estimation, keeps the engine of our economy running by creating needed jobs across the country. As of April 2017, American Lending Center and our parent company Regional Centers Holding Group had successfully funded over 60 Small Business Administration 504 projects with EB-5 funds, stimulating economic growth and job creation all over the country. The more you help those owners, the happier you are. Nothing feels better than seeing your borrower succeed in his business. That is the motivation.

Dan Nordberg Named SBA Region 8 Administrator

“I’m ready and excited to go to work for small business to support and counsel America’s dynamic entrepreneurs,” says Dan Nordberg. “This is a tremendous honor and I look forward to joining the SBA team and participating in its great mission to support small business.”

SBA Region 8 includes Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

Dan currently serves as a state representative in Colorado.

Loren Furman — chief lobbyist for the Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry, representing state businesses — said she’s been “incredibly fortunate to work with Representative Nordberg at the State Capitol. He has been an amazing champion on behalf of Colorado businesses and achieved great legislative successes due to his honesty, integrity and ability to work with members on both sides of the aisle. He is the perfect fit for this new opportunity and we look forward to continuing to work with him to protect the needs of Colorado businesses.”

A Colorado native, Nordberg holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Colorado State University. His wife, Maura, is a school psychologist; they have three children.

Acclivity Financial names Kristie Lawson Assistant Vice President

“As we continue to grow nationwide, it’s imperative that we stay ahead of the curve on customer experience and loan speed,” says Danny Preston, CEO and President of Acclivity Financial. “Kristie will serve a vital role in the organization — one that ensures a streamlined process and a happy customer.”

With with over 13 years of SBA lending experience, Lawson will expand the company’s processing and closing department. Prior to joining Acclivity Financial, Lawson served as a Loan Closer at BankUnited and SBA Closing Specialist at Simmons Bank.

Upcoming SBA Lending Professional Industry Events

Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference, March 7-9, Asheville

Mid-America Lender’s Conference, April 15-17, Fort Worth

Great Lakes Lenders Conference, Detroit, April 16-18

NAGGL SBA Lending Technical Conference, May 1-3, Chicago

NADCO Spring Summit, May 6-9, Arlington

America West, June 20-22, Costa Mesa

America East, August 1-3, National Harbor, MD

11th Annual Secondary Market Summit, December 4, Washington D.C.