Big Updates from Art of SBA HQ
The Art of SBA Lending
đ¨ Hereâs whatâs new for The Art of SBA Lending in 2025! đ¨ 1ď¸âŁ The Directors Retreat An exclusive event for SBA 7(a) division heads, happening May 4th & 5th at the Bohemian Hotel in Savannah, GA. Only 10 seats available! Reserve your spot: 2ď¸âŁ SBA Jobs Board Our new jobs board is live! For just $99, post your open SBA lending positions and connect with top talent in the SBA community. Learn more: 3ď¸âŁ Podcast Season Update Weâre gearing up for a new season of The Art of SBA Lending featuring: A two-part episode with emerging SBA leaders A...
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The Elon Musk of SBA Lending (Season Finale) feat. Chris Hurn | Ep. 170
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, Ray Drew sits down with Chris Hurn to explore the complexities of entrepreneurship, leadership, and finance. Chris shares the story of winding down his previous company, Fountainhead, navigating the challenges of partnerships, and transitioning to his latest ventureâa business bank in West Georgia. From educating clients about SBA loans to building a team that aligns with company culture, Chris highlights the balancing act between growth, innovation, and risk. He also offers insights into: The risks and rewards of entrepreneurship Effective...
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Largest SBA Loan Service Provider Gets Acquired (again) feat. Mike Breckheimer | Ep. 169
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, Ray sits down with Mike Breckheimer at NAGGL 2024 to discuss the ins and outs of starting a lender service provider (LSP) business and navigating the SBA ecosystem. Mike shares his extensive experience building turnkey solutions for banks, credit unions, and other institutions looking to outsource SBA loan operations. He dives into the intricate balance of compliance, relationship building, and patience required to thrive in this niche industry. Key Highlights: Starting an LSP: Learn the essential steps to establish yourself as a trusted SBA lender...
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The Fixer: Managing Risk and Taking Names feat. Brent Ciurlino | Ep. 168
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending Ray is joined by Brent Ciurlino at NAGGL as they unpack Brentâs background in risk management and where he got his reputation as: "the fixerâ Brent held significant roles, including the Director of Asset Marketing at the FDIC and several senior positions within SBA-regulated entities. His current position is with Velocity, an SBLC, where he oversees the company's strategic growth and risk management operations. Known for his innovative contributions to SBA oversight mechanisms, he has been instrumental in developing key regulatory frameworks....
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SBA Operations: The Backbone of The Industry feat. Jackie Bogdan | Ep. 167
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending Podcast we have another special guest joining us for an interview live from the NAGGL conference in Vegas. Welcome Jackie Bogdan! Weâre getting into all things operations, execution and closing. Tune in now and subscribe to stay in the loop for more episodes! This episode is sponsored by: CORPSMART CORPSMART is a due diligence group that specializes in lien searching, UCC filing, DMV title recordings and more. If you're looking to streamline your process, the CORPSMART team is the best resource, offering a wide range of services, capability to directly...
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Adding Value to your Team, Your Bank, & Your Borrowers feat. Michael Johnston | Ep. 166
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending Ray is joined by Michael Johnston at NAGGL as they explore Michaelâs journey from BDO to national sales manager and his approach to driving value at every stage of the SBA lending process. Michael shares his vision of SBA lending in todayâs evolving landscape, where efficiency, accountability, and teamwork are non-negotiable. Aiming to streamline small-balance loan processing to as little as 2-5 days, Michael highlights the role of technology, a strong referral network, and consistent credit philosophy. He also provides insight into the qualities...
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The Future of the SBA 7a Program feat. Mike Breckheimer, Charles Rho, & Bob Coleman | Ep. 165
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending weâre bringing you through the evolution of The SBA. What started as a small-scale government program in 1953 has grown into a $35+ billion industry, touching every corner of U.S. business. In this episode, The Art of SBA Lending explores the dynamic story of SBA 7(a) â and the potential paths it might take. Ray and an expert panel of Art of SBA Contributors discuss: âĄď¸ Reaction to the bold changes of 2023: whether the concerns surrounding the sweeping changes made in 2023, such as the âDo What You Doâ policy and new SBLC licenses, were justified...
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What It Takes to Create Raving Fans in SBA Lending feat. Charles H Green, Chris Hurn, & Javier Jorge | Ep. 164
The Art of SBA Lending
What does it take to make your borrowers so happy that they canât stop talking about their experience? In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, Ray Drew is joined by a panel of SBA lending pros to discuss how to elevate your customer service game and turn borrowers into raving fans. SBA loans can be complex, and the journey to closing is rarely easy. But top producers know that exceptional service isnât about avoiding obstaclesâitâs about guiding your borrower through them with empathy, attention, and solutions. Today, weâre sharing five proven methods that will not only enhance...
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Getting Rid of the "All Available Collateral" Rule feat. Brian Carlson, Bob Coleman, & Darren Davis | Ep. 163
The Art of SBA Lending
The Art of SBA Lending Podcast is back this week with a new episode full of big ideas, fresh perspectives, and one (more) especially bold opinion from Ray. Join Ray and an expert panel of contributors as they explore the top trending topics in the SBA industry right now: The âbig fishâ trendâhow top lenders are taking over more of the SBA market, and what that means for small-midsized shops How lenders approach the SOPâs grey areasâpractical tips for new and experienced lenders Rayâs proposal to eliminate the all available collateral ruleâwhy it makes sense, and how it will...
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10 Culture-Killers: A Practical Guide on Building Culture | Ep. 162
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, weâre diving into the heart of building a strong and intentional company culture. Ray and our panel of experts discuss why defining a companyâs culture goes beyond labeling it as âgoodâ or âbad.â Instead, itâs about identifying what makes your organization unique and aligning it with the values and behaviors you want to see reflected in your team every day. Weâll explore: The importance of crafting clear, actionable core values and how they can serve as the backbone of a successful culture How to embed these values throughout your...
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