Who is eligible to be nominated for these awards?

Awards are presented to those lenders that have used the SBA loan programs to help the maximum number of small business owners obtain the financing that they need to grow their businesses.  These lenders demonstrate their creativity by using the SBA loan programs to assist those businesses that are not able to obtain conventional financing on reasonable terms.  The awards include the following:

Lenders of the Year Award

This award recognizes two 7(a) Loan Lenders and two 504 Loan Lenders.  The awards for each category are based on lender size, portfolio performance, and growth in approval volume for the previous fiscal year as well as having demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting the growth and expansion of small businesses across the country even beyond the scope of SBA loans.

Export Lender of the Year Award

This award recognizes two lenders, including nonbank lenders, which have made the most SBA-guaranteed international loans the previous fiscal year as well as having demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting the growth and expansion of small businesses across the country even beyond the scope of SBA loans.  The focus includes Export Express, Export Working Capital, and International Trade loans.