Movers & Shakers: Keith Merklin, Omar Olla & Andrew Harris

April 2, 2026

Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher

Movers & Shakers: Keith Merklin, Omar Olla & Andrew Harris

Harvest Welcomes Industry Veteran Keith Merklin as SVP Business Development Officer

Keith is a seasoned banking executive recognized for his strength in relationship management and strategic business development. With more than 25 years of industry experience and a proven track record as a top-performing loan producer, he has consistently helped small to midsize businesses secure customized financing solutions that fuel sustainable growth.

Throughout his career, Keith has built lasting partnerships with real estate brokers, CPAs, and lending professionals, fostering a highly collaborative and solutions-driven approach to each transaction. His background in senior leadership roles further positions him to deliver innovative and effective financing strategies for clients nationwide.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Keith pairs deep market expertise with a commitment to personalized, high-touch service — a hallmark of excellence that continues to define his impact in small business lending.

Omar Olla Joins Commercial Bank of California as VP Business Development Officer

Commercial Bank of California has announced the addition of Omar Olla as Vice President, SBA Business Development Officer. Olla brings more than 20 years of experience across sales, banking, and finance, with a strong focus on SBA lending, relationship management, and strategic business development. He has built a reputation as a trusted advisor, consistently helping business owners secure customized financing solutions that support long-term growth and stability.

Throughout his career, Olla has developed strong partnerships with business owners, financial professionals, and referral networks across California and the broader western United States. His relationship-driven approach centers on understanding each client’s unique objectives and structuring SBA 7(a) and 504 financing solutions for working capital, acquisitions, partner buyouts, debt restructuring, and fixed asset investments.

Prior to joining Commercial Bank of California, Olla served as VP SBA Business Development Officer at FFB Bank, where he spent four years supporting businesses across multiple states in accessing capital and scaling operations. Earlier in his career, he held roles at JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, where he built a solid foundation in business banking and commercial lending.

Andrew Harris Joins VelocitySBA as Vice President of Business Development

VelocitySBA has announced the addition of Andrew Harris as Vice President – SBA Business Development Officer. Harris brings more than 15 years of experience in financial services, including a strong background in executive recruiting within the government-guaranteed lending space. Over the past eight years, he successfully led his own recruiting firm, giving him a unique perspective on talent, deal flow, and the broader SBA lending ecosystem.

In his new role, Harris will focus on delivering customized SBA 7(a) financing solutions ranging from $500,000 to $5 million, supporting transactions such as business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and owner-occupied commercial real estate. His firsthand experience as both a former business owner and SBA borrower provides valuable insight into the lending process, allowing him to better guide clients through each stage of securing capital.

Prior to joining VelocitySBA, Harris held leadership roles at Hanover Bank, Arkansas Capital Corporation, Customers Bank, and Fund-Ex Solutions Group, where he built a reputation for transparent communication and relationship-driven service across a national client base.