PRESS OFFICE
News Release
Release Date: April 10, 2012 |
Contact: David Ramp (205) 290-7101 ext. 247 |
Release Number: 12-01 |
Internet Address: david.ramp@sba.gov |
BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Small Business Administration Alabama District Office announced the winners of its Alabama Lender Awards for fiscal year 2011 at its third annual Lenders Conference held recently in Prattville, AL. The theme of this year’s conference was “Guarantee Your Customers: Useful Tools For Uncertain Times”. The conference began with an address by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley. Governor Bentley, who was introduced by State Banking Superintendent John Harrison, stressed the improving economic situation in the state and thanked SBA and its partners for their support of Alabama’s business community. The awards and winners for 2011 are:
Alabama Lender of the Year (Loan Volume): BBVA Compass Bank
Alabama Lender of the Year (Loan Dollar Volume): Worthington Federal Bank
Alabama Community Bank of the Year: SouthCity Bank (now First Partners Bank)Alabama Lender of the Year Newcomer Award: Peoples Bank of Greensboro
Alabama Certified Development Company of the Year (Loan Volume): Southern Development Council
Alabama Certified Development Company of the Year (Loan $ Volume): Southern Development Council
Alabama Lender of the Year 504 Participation (Loan Volume): Regions Bank
Alabama Lender of the Year 504 Participation (Loan $ Volume): Regions Bank
Alabama Lender of the Year – Express Lender: BBVA Compass Bank
Alabama Vanguard Award Lender: The First National Bank of Talladega
Special awards were presented to Governor Bentley for his continuing support of Alabama’s small businesses, and to Brian Davis of the Alabama International Trade Center for his work and support of the SBA. Lenders who attended the conference from all over the state were informed about SBA loan programs and tools available to lenders who make loans to small businesses. Speakers included Dr. Samuel Addy, economist from the University of Alabama, Sibyl Slade with the Federal Reserve Bank, Patrick Kelley with SBA Office of Capital Access in Washington D.C., Greg Prichard with the SBA Loan Guaranty Processing Center in Citrus Heights, CA and Kim Oliver Ward with the State Small Business Credit Initiative Program of ADECA. A credit roundtable discussion included Patrick Kelley, Greg Prichard, Tom Stokes with FDIC, Charlie Breedlove of Friend Bank, Philip Hassler of Regions Bank and moderator Bonika Wilson of Seedco Financial.