Movers & Shakers: Connie Lucero, Reece Sanford & Fortis Bank

October 22, 2026

Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher

Movers & Shakers: Connie Lucero, Reece Sanford & Fortis Bank

Connie Lucero Joins American Momentum Bank as Senior SBA Credit Officer

“Connie brings extensive banking and SBA credit experience that will be valuable as we continue to grow our SBA lending capabilities,” states Patrick Fenech, senior vice president/managing director of SBA lending at American Momentum Bank. “Her depth of knowledge in credit underwriting and her leadership experience make her an excellent addition to our team, and we are pleased to welcome her to American Momentum.”

American Momentum Bank has appointed Connie Lucero as senior vice president, senior SBA credit officer. In her new role, Lucero will review and make credit decisions on new SBA loan requests and manage the bank’s SBA underwriting team.

Lucero brings 28 years of banking experience to American Momentum Bank. She most recently served as senior credit underwriter at Phoenix Lender Services. Lucero began her banking career as a proof operator and advanced through a variety of roles during her nearly three decades in the industry. Her career includes experience with Phoenix Lender Services, Evolve Bank & Trust and First Citizens Bank.

Lucero earned a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has also been involved with NAGGL, where she has served on committees.

“I look forward to working with Pat and the rest of the SBA team to help grow the department,”
Lucero says. “I am excited to bring my experience to American Momentum Bank and contribute to
the continued growth of its SBA lending platform.”

Reece Sanford Joins Renasant Bank as Senior Vice President/SBA Senior Banker

Reece Sanford, CFA, CRC, CMAA, has joined Renasant Bank as Senior Vice President/SBA Senior Banker. Sanford, who was named the 2026 Coleman Report Main Street Lender Professional of the Year, brings more than a decade of experience in SBA lending, business acquisitions, franchise financing and commercial real estate.

Sanford previously served as Senior Vice President and Director of Government Guaranteed Lending at River City Bank, where he developed and launched the bank’s SBA lending division in 2023. Before joining River City Bank, Sanford served as Vice President/SBA Relationship Manager at SouthState Bank and previously spent seven years at Community Bank of Pickens County, advancing from Credit Analyst to SBA Loan Officer and SBA Manager.

Throughout his career, Sanford has closed more than $100 million in SBA loans. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Credit Risk Certification (CRC) and Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CMAA) designations, along with the NAGGL Advanced Diploma in SBA Lending. He is also pursuing graduate banking studies at the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania.

Sanford will be based in Jasper, Georgia, in his new role at Renasant Bank, where he joins an established SBA lending division with a broader lending footprint and expanded resources to serve small business borrowers.

Fortis Bank Achieves SBA PLP Status

“Achieving PLP status is an important milestone for Fortis Bank and, more importantly, for the entrepreneurs and business owners we serve in the Mountain West,” says Chris Luce, Fortis Bank Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “This designation provides our experienced SBA team greater ability to move with the speed, discipline, and flexibility our clients expect while maintaining the strong credit and risk management practices that earned this designation.“

Fortis Bank announced that it has received Preferred Lender Program (PLP) status from SBA, an important milestone that expands the Bank’s delegated authority within the SBA 7(a) lending program. The designation creates the opportunity for Fortis Bank to deliver a more streamlined lending process, faster decisions, and a more responsive experience for small business owners while continuing to operate within SBA program requirements.

Fortis Bank provides SBA financing to support a range of business needs, including acquisitions, working capital, real estate, and other eligible growth initiatives. The Bank’s SBA team combines program expertise with a relationship-focused approach designed to help business owners navigate complex transactions with clarity and confidence.

“From the beginning, our goal was to build an SBA program that could grow without losing responsiveness, expertise, and partnership with our clients,” shares Kris Adams, Managing Director of the Fortis Bank SBA Division. “I am proud of our growth, and even more excited about what this designation allows us to do next as a stronger partner to the local businesses we support.”