DEPUTY ADMIN SPEAKS! 🤫 Tighter Rules & The "Return of Receipts"! | July 29, 2025
SBA Today
Welcome to a special solo episode of SBA Today, presented by Res Title, your SBA Title Experts! Join Tonya Mazurek as she takes the reins while Paul Long is on vacation. In this packed episode, Tonya dives into: Meet William Briggs: Newly sworn-in Deputy Administrator, bringing "stricter underwriting, cleaner processes, and fewer curveballs." Expect "the return of receipts"! SBA Connect Call Takes! 📞 "Bye-Bye Vibes-Based Lending" (SOP 50 10 8) , MARC Pilot for manufacturers , fees returning Oct 1, 2024 , Community Advantage under the microscope , and the "Silent Tsunami" of CFPB 1071...
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SBA Holdbacks: What's ALLOWED v. What's NOT?!| July 22, 2025
SBA Today
This week on SBA Today, we're diving deep into a topic often misunderstood in the world of SBA lending: holdbacks. While conventional wisdom might lead you astray, understanding what's truly allowed—and what's not—can be the key to a smoother transaction. Hosts Paul Long and Tanya Mazurek are joined by special guest Gregory Kovsky, President and CEO of IBA, the Pacific Northwest's oldest and largest business brokerage firm. With over three decades of experience as a business broker and a deep understanding of SBA lending, Greg brings invaluable insights, even having represented "Godmother...
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BANK MERGER IMPACT + Your Brand Power| July 15, 2025
SBA Today
Join us for a special SBA Today episode! Paul Long and Tonya Mazurek are breaking down major industry news and diving deep into how to build an unshakeable PERSONAL BRAND in today's competitive landscape. What's on the docket? Industry Shake-Up! 🏦 What does this mean for the industry and potential team movements? CFR Changes Incoming! 🚨 But the main event? Unlocking YOUR Personal Brand! ✨ Don't miss this! Tune in to understand industry shifts and level up your brand. ⚖️ This episode is sponsored by: Res/Title your “One Stop Shop for SBA closings”. We’re your...
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MILLIONS AT STAKE 🚨 What We Learned the HARD WAY (So You Don't Have To!) | July 1, 2025
SBA Today
Welcome to a very special episode of SBA Today! Join hosts Paul Long and Tonya Mazurek as they bravely pull back the curtain on the "educational moments" – or as Tonya calls them, "OH CRAP MOMENTS" – that every professional in the SBA lending industry faces. In this candid discussion, Paul and Tonya reveal real-world experiences and share hard-earned lessons on: Credit Pull Timing: When is the right time to pull credit? Before or after a term sheet? Tonya shares why she prefers not to pull credit upfront and encourages customers to check their own. Business Acquisitions &...
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What the SBA's 2026 Plan MEANS for SMALL Business! | June 24, 2025
SBA Today
In this episode of SBA Today, hosts Paul Long and Tonya Mazurek are diving into the latest news and bringing you a special guest segment you won't want to miss! In this power-packed episode, you'll discover: SBA's 2026 Vision Revealed! 🚀 Paul breaks down the SBA's Annual Evaluation Plan for FY 2026, including key focus areas for the coming year! Boosting Manufacturing: The SBA is encouraging more businesses to sign up through SAM.gov and increasing lending for specific NACIS codes. Cutting Red Tape & Inefficiencies: Learn how the SBA aims to identify high-cost areas and provide access...
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BIG Brother is Watching: Broker Fees Amidst Job Creation Frenzy! | June 17, 2025
SBA Today
Join Paul and Tonya as they break down the latest in SBA news! This week: EIDL Subordination - A crucial reminder: borrowers handle this via MyPortal, not lenders! SBA Broker Fees Under Fire! 🔥 Congress is demanding annual reports on 7(a) agents, scrutinizing fraud, fees, and more. The era of "bad apples" is ending! SBA: A Job Creation Powerhouse! 📈 We highlight data showing SBA programs have supported over 17 million jobs since 2010. See which lenders are leading the way! Lumos Data Game Time! 📊 Test your knowledge on default rates, risk, loan sizes, and variable vs. fixed rates....
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BIG Brother is Watching: Broker Fees Amidst Job Creation Frenzy! | June 17, 2025
SBA Today
Join Paul and Tonya as they break down the latest in SBA news! This week: EIDL Subordination - A crucial reminder: borrowers handle this via MyPortal, not lenders! SBA Broker Fees Under Fire! 🔥 Congress is demanding annual reports on 7(a) agents, scrutinizing fraud, fees, and more. The era of "bad apples" is ending! SBA: A Job Creation Powerhouse! 📈 We highlight data showing SBA programs have supported over 17 million jobs since 2010. See which lenders are leading the way! Lumos Data Game Time! 📊 Test your knowledge on default rates, risk, loan sizes, and variable vs. fixed rates....
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Your SBA Loan Just Changed: What You NEED to Know from the "SBA Godfather" | June 10, 2025
SBA Today
🚨 Major SBA Updates You Can't Miss! 🚨 This week on SBA Today, we're honored to be joined by "The SBA Godfather" Lance Sexton! He's sharing his insights on how the new SBA rules are shaking up the landscape. Tune in as we break down: SBA's decision to no longer review loan applications for affiliation (lenders, this is on YOU!). Key takeaways from budgeting testimony on Capitol Hill, including discussions on SBA staffing and nominations. Real-world impacts of the new rules on seller notes, the 10% down payment requirement, small loan issues (collateral), and how SBA fees are affecting...
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Deals COLLAPSING: The Unseen Impact of SBA's Latest Changes | May 27, 2025
SBA Today
As the SBA landscape reacts to new regulatory demands, both lenders and borrowers are negotiating a terrain that blends historical rules with emerging priorities. Join Paul Long and Tonya Mazurek on SBA Today as they unravel the latest developments impacting small businesses and SBA lending. This episode dives into the new "Make Onshoring Great Again" portal designed to connect businesses with American suppliers, boosting domestic supply chains. But that's not all – discover how recent SBA rule changes are making business acquisitions tougher, with real-world examples of deals falling apart...
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Business Buying INSANITY! Why Cash is KING in 2025 | May 20, 2025
SBA Today
Welcome to another captivating episode of SBA Today, with hosts Paul Long and Tonya Mazurek. This episode is packed with expert insights into SBA lending trends, business acquisition strategies, and the potential impacts of upcoming legislative changes. Joined by a vibrant discussion on the latest conferences, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the SBA lending landscape. Tonya and Paul open with a lively recap of the recent IBBA conference and delve into the crucial trends emerging in business acquisitions. They discuss how 60% of entrepreneurs still choose to start businesses...
info_outlineIn this episode of SBA Today, hosts Paul Long and Tonya Mazarek dive into critical developments surrounding the SBA's 7A loan program. They unravel the complexities of a significant financial setback that threatens to alter the landscape of small business lending. Through insightful commentary and detailed analysis, Paul and Tonya explore how recent decisions have impacted the program's financial health, discuss the consequences of loan fee reductions, and consider potential solutions that could stabilize the program and support entrepreneurship moving forward. The Small Business Administration's flagship 7A loan program is currently facing financial turmoil, marked by a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in 2024. Paul and Tonya analyze the SBA's recent fee reductions and rising loan defaults as primary contributors to a negative cash flow, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to supporting small businesses. As SBA struggles with decreased incoming funds from fees, stress on loan purchases by the agency is escalating, reminiscent of the financial pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hosts provide strategic advice, stressing the importance of maintaining rigorous lending standards to mitigate future defaults. Beyond the immediate lending challenges, the episode highlights new leadership within the SBA. The appointment of Thomas Kimsey as the Associate Administrator of the Office of Capital Access represents a significant step toward improving the SBA's strategic direction. Paul and Tanya express optimism about having a seasoned banker in this crucial role, hopeful that his expertise could drive the SBA towards more sustainable practices. Through this engaging dialogue, they guide listeners through the intricacies of managing risk while prioritizing small business growth and access to capital.
Key Takeaways:
☀️The SBA's 7A loan program faces a serious financial shortfall due to reduced loan fees and increased defaults, resulting in a negative cash flow of $274 million.
☀️Fee structure changes intended to ease the entry of borrowers might have unintentionally increased loan defaults, mirroring similar issues from the COVID-19 era.
☀️A significant backlog of loan purchases continues to strain the SBA, indicating a need for tighter management and strategic oversight.
☀️The newly appointed Associate Administrator, Thomas Kimsey, brings banking expertise that could favorably influence the SBA’s approach to financial challenges.
☀️Ensuring rigorous lending standards is crucial to balance small business support with sustainable fiscal policies.
Are you a business owner or prospective business owner? Let’s see how we can help you.
If your business or perspective business is in:
Washington, Oregon, or Idaho contact: Paul Long at Gesa Credit Union [email protected]
Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Florida, Arizona, and Tennessee contact: Tonya Mazurek at Midwest Regional Bank [email protected]
Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer.