SBA Business Lending Specialist

Primary Purpose: The SBA Business Lending Specialist develops new loan volume via the SBA and USDA B&I Loan Programs. This position requires continuous marketing efforts to establish contacts and leads to generate a strong referral network. This role establishes effective and efficient work processes with external/internal partners to identify new SBA prospects, convert prospects to applications, and manage loans through the credit and closing processes. This position will serve the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Dogwood, a Division of TowneBank, has been named as a Best Employer for multiple consecutive years and is driven by a passion for serving our members and communities. Our team members play a crucial role in delivering exceptional financial services through our branches and online offerings across the Carolinas. With deep roots in the communities we serve, we pride ourselves on being an employer of choice and making a meaningful impact on the lives of our members. This role will be included in the merger with TowneBank and will become a TowneBank position upon conversion in late 2026.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Reads and understands the SBA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Develops a successful business plan.
• Works independently without daily supervision.
• Develops effective and efficient processes to manage loan pipeline and submit applications in a timely manner.
• Develops marketing strategies using all available tools and resources to identify markets to penetrate new business. Builds a contact base of at least 1,000 current and potential referral sources.
• Able to win business based upon building value, loan structure and relationship development.
• Reviews the entire loan process from application to closing, sets and manages expectations.
• Develops and nurtures effective working relationships with internal partners.
• Provides a complete and well-thought-out package to credit.
• Ability to source over $2,500,000 per month in new loan application volume.
• Implements excellent time management.
• Keeps borrowers/ business partners and referral sources well informed and sets/maintains the proper expectations.
• Works in conjunction with conventional bankers for referrals and supports their members’ needs.
• Reads, understands and interprets credit guidelines.
• Determines loan eligibility per current SBA SOP.
• Structures financing packages to meet the needs of the borrower/business partners, meets all Credit Guidelines, and ability to be closed.
• Reads and interprets business and personal tax returns, works on initial spreads for use of proceeds, cash flow, and collateral coverage.
• Interprets the business financial statements.
• Reads business plans and financial projections, judges for completeness and efficacy.
• Reads and interprets personal financial statements, credit reports & D&B reports.
• Interprets financial data required for loan applications.
• Ability to identify closing issues that may negatively impact a loan request.
• Provides borrower/business partners with correct preliminary closing checklist based on type of loan and transaction.
• Assists in closing and in the collection of needed documentation.
• Adheres to applicable federal laws, rules, and regulations including those related to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA).
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Minimum Required Skills & Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 5+ years’ banking experience in Guaranteed Government lending. Previous business development experience is essential.
• Deep knowledge of the SBA’s SOP, and related regulations.
• Network of people and resources within the SBA and related organizations.
• Knowledge and ability to use SBA systems are necessary to perform under the bank’s PLP SBA status.
• Ability to coach and develop staff.
• Ability to think strategically about staff, competitive position relative to a market, and plan actions accordingly.
• Knowledge of business development planning and management at an office level.
• Skilled in managing the risk management controls and activities of a lending office.
• Thorough knowledge of lending policies and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of commercial banking services.
• Excellent managerial, communication, and sales skills.

Desired Skills & Competencies:

• Proficient in computer software, fulfilling the principal responsibilities of the job.
• Familiarity with online computer systems.
• Proficient with statement spreading programs.
• Strong professional, appearance, dress, attitude, interpersonal, and communications skills.
• Ability to perform independently and with minimal supervision.

Physical Requirements:

• Express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word via email and verbally.
• Exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, use your arms and legs, and sit most of the time.
• Have close visual acuity to perform activities such as analyzing data, viewing a computer terminal, reading, and preparing documentation.
• Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential responsibilities.