BDO Career Paths ft. Jeannie Yoder, Dustin Baker, & Jared Johnson | Ep. 160
Release Date: 10/03/2024
A.I. Disruption: Time to Throw Out The Old Playbook ft. David Tinsley | Ep. 181
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending, Ray Drew sits down with David Tinsley of Lenders Cooperative to unravel the shifting landscape of SBA lending and the role of technology and LSPs in shaping its future. Recorded live from the MALC conference, they dive into the buzz surrounding the unannounced new SOP and what it means for lenders. From the challenges of scaling an SBA division to the surprising dominance of AI in industry conversations, Ray and David explore how to navigate growth, manage risk, and foster innovation — "throwing the whole playbook out". They also tackle the ongoing debate...
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On Track to Break $100 million feat. Alan Peterson | Ep. 180
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending, I sit down with the incredible Alan Peterson, BDO from First Internet Bank. Alan isn't just closing deals; he's redefining what it means to be a top producer in SBA lending, reaching over $30 million year-to-date and tracking towards an astonishing $120 million annually! Ray Drew and Alan dive deep into the mindset of a high-volume BDO, the strategic art of saying "no" to grow faster, and why true business value isn't always what it seems. They discuss navigating the complexities of deals, the crucial role of data and innovation in banking, and why being a...
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On Track to Break $100 million feat. Alan Peterson | Ep. 180
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending, I sit down with the incredible Alan Peterson, BDO from First Internet Bank. Alan isn't just closing deals; he's redefining what it means to be a top producer in SBA lending, reaching over $30 million year-to-date and tracking towards an astonishing $120 million annually! Ray Drew and Alan dive deep into the mindset of a high-volume BDO, the strategic art of saying "no" to grow faster, and why true business value isn't always what it seems. They discuss navigating the complexities of deals, the crucial role of data and innovation in banking, and why being a...
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Untold Stories: The Rise and Fall of an SBLC feat. Kirk Beason | Ep. 179
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending, we're sitting down with a true SBA powerhouse: Kirk Beeson, SBA Managing Director at Veritex Community Bank, and former Chief Credit Officer (and so much more!) at Fund-Ex Solutions Group. Ray Drew and Kirk take a deep dive into the inside story of Fund-Ex: from its promising start-up days to navigating the chaos of PPP and the eventual sale. What does it really take to build an SBA shop from the ground up? How do you maintain culture while scaling at lightning speed? And when do you know it's time to step away? 🎯 In this episode: ➡️The...
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The Model Has Changed: Rethinking SBA Operations ft. Mike Breckheimer, Brian Carlson & Chris Kwiatkowski | Ep. 178
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending, we're confronting the hard truth: the traditional SBA lending model no longer works. Rising overhead, margin compression, and tighter audits have flipped the economics, and now, shops across the country are closing or scrambling to restructure. So what’s the new model? And how do you scale without losing control? Ray Drew is joined by three SBA leaders navigating this shift in real time. Mike Breckheimer, Brian Carlson, and Chris Kwiatkowski are coming together to unpack the numbers, the pitfalls, and the path forward. 🎯 In this episode: ➡️...
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MCA Debate: Ryan Kroge and Joe Alam vs John Dicanio and Jerry Cocuzzo | Ep. 177
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending, we're diving headfirst into one of the most controversial topics in small business finance: Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs). Are they a necessary lifeline—or a dangerous trap? Ray Drew brings together a panel of experienced lenders and brokers to debate the role of MCAs in today’s lending landscape. Featuring Ryan Kroge (First Internet Bank), Joseph Alam III (Midstates Advisors), John DiCanio (Fund My Biz), and Jerry Cocuzzo (FundAll Capital), the group tackles: ➡️ The pros, cons, and misconceptions of MCA lending ➡️ Why MCAs exploded post-2008...
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Ray’s Top 10 Priorities for the SBA ft. Charles Green, Jeannie Yoder, and Shane Pierson | Ep. 176
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending, Ray is laying out his own list of top 10 priorities for the SBA, several of which might shock you. But hey, if the SBA wants change, let's give em change. Joined by Ray is a panel of Art of SBA contributors: Charles Green, Jeannie Yoder, and Shane Pierson to discuss: ➡️ Changes to SBA 7a policy ➡️ Some fresh ideas that could streamline the program ➡️ How to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater ➡️ Timeline for the new SOP that is inevitably dropping ➡️ Predictions for the SBA landscape in the next 12 months Join Ray and his...
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Addressing the SBA Default Crisis ft. Jane Castro, Kay Anderson, and Mike Breckheimer | Ep. 175
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending, we're tackling one of the hottest topics in the industry: the rising SBA default rates. With concerns mounting over repayment trends, economic conditions, and policy shifts, it's time to cut through the noise and get to the facts. Ray Drew and an expert panel of Art of SBA contributors discuss: ➡️ The 3.69% default rate—how bad is it, really? ➡️ Why defaults are rising and whether it's just economic cycles catching up ➡️ How lenders can proactively manage risk and prevent unnecessary losses ➡️ The impact of interest rate hikes vs. SBA rule...
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The Dogefather Strikes at the SBA ft. Darren Davis, Javier Jorge, and Brooke Mirenda | Ep. 174
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending, we’re diving into the Twitter war of the century: Elon Musk vs. the SBA. It all started when Musk called the Small Business Administration the "Shady Business Administration" and claimed that only 8% of SBA loans get paid back. Naturally, we had to set the record straight. Ray Drew and an expert panel of Art of SBA Contributors discuss: ➡️ The impact of Musk’s comments and whether misinformation could disrupt the SBA ➡️ The reality of SBA loan repayment rates (spoiler: it’s not 8%) ➡️ What happens if the SBA 7(a) program is...
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BDO Power Panel: Live from the BDO Retreat ft. Glenn Giro, Alan Peterson & Jared W Johnson | Ep. 173
The Art of SBA Lending
What does it take to rise as a leader in the competitive and ever-changing SBA lending space? In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, we’re joined by Glenn Giro, Alan Peterson, and Jared W. Johnson—three industry leaders who share their insights into navigating the dynamic world of SBA lending, overcoming challenges, and seizing new opportunities. SBA lending is full of growth potential, but it’s not without its challenges. Today, we dive into how these experts are leading the charge, adapting to market changes, and embracing innovation to stay ahead. Key topics include: •...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, Ray tackles a question many top-producing BDOs face: What's next? For those constantly pushing themselves to the next level, it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about growth, challenge, and finding fulfillment in their career.
Ray dives into the various career paths for high-performing BDOs and unpacks the unique challenges and opportunities that come with each option:
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Scaling to the $100 million mark: What does it take, and is it worth the risk of burnout?
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Transitioning to sales management: Can managing a team offer the next level of satisfaction, or is the pay cut too steep?
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Becoming a shop director: What does it look like to lead your own SBA department? Can this role provide both the challenge and compensation that top BDOs are seeking?
We also explore the emerging idea of the "Mini-Director" role, where BDOs can continue to grow without sacrificing income or independence. This episode is packed with real-world insights from a stellar panel of Art of SBA contributors:
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Dustin Baker - CEO and Cofounder of Shatterbox
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Jeannie Yoder - SBA Regional Executive at United Community Bank
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Jared Johnson - Senior Business Development Officer at First Internet Bank
Whether you’re looking to expand your production or explore new career paths, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how top BDOs are leveling up and what you can do to take the next step in your SBA lending career.
Baker Lewis
Baker Lewis is the SBA lending industry’s premier executive search and personnel consulting firm. Schedule a call by reaching out to Dustin Baker at 940-230-4321.
[Rapid Business Plans]
Rapid Business Plans is the go-to provider of business plans and feasibility studies for government guaranteed small business lenders.
For more information, or to set up a Get Acquainted call go to www.rapidbusinessplans.com/art-of-sba
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