Nationally Recognized Team Joins Truliant’s SBA Lending Program

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 10, 2024) – Truliant Federal Credit Union announced today a major expansion of its Small Business Administration lending program. Truliant is adding a nationally recognized team of business development officers.

The team is headed by Ray Drew, a top producing SBA 7(a) lender who has extensive experience structuring SBA loans for small businesses. Drew has focused on bringing change and innovation to SBA lending. He uses content marketing and social media to grow his clientele. He is host of a top SBA lending podcast show, The Art of SBA Lending on YouTube. In joining Truliant’s team, Drew brings 10 new SBA teammates to Truliant.

"Ray is one of the top SBA lenders in the country. He brings new strategies and a carefully curated team of standout SBA professionals from across the U.S. to Truliant,” said Don Jackson, vice president of SBA lending. “Our expanded team is focused on leveraging relationships, building new ones and expanding on growth opportunities to rapidly scale our program.”

"Credit unions are an important source of SBA loans. SBA loans offer low down payments and longer payment terms than traditional loans. In 2024, small loans and acquisitions are two areas where Truliant sees opportunities for growth", said Truliant’s Jackson.

Truliant’s SBA team guides business owners through the borrowing process, structuring customized loans to meet the needs of a multitude of small business borrowers. The team supports small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs through owner-occupied commercial real estate lending, business acquisitions, and partner buyouts up to $5 million.

Truliant began a significant expansion of its SBA team earlier this year. Since the start of 2024, it has added 15 members to the team. The team now consists of an 11-person back-office team of portfolio managers, loan coordinators, underwriters and closers. In addition, there are ten Business Development Officers. They are located in Charlotte, N.C., Raleigh, N.C., Wilmington, NC, Savannah, Ga., Washington, D.C., West Palm Beach, Fla., Charleston, S.C., St. Augustine, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., Columbia, Mo., Syracuse, N.Y., and Reinbeck, Iowa.

Drew is a prominent figure in SBA lending, creating new weekly content for small business lenders “who eat, sleep, and breathe SBA loans,” according to show promotions. Drew hosts The Art of SBA Lending podcast and channel on YouTube. The channel is also home to The BDO Show, a podcast for SBA Business Development Officers seeking to hone their craft. Also hosted is SBA Today, which focuses on breaking news in the industry. The show hosts analysts, entrepreneurs, industry influencers, consultants and specialists from around the U.S. who share in-depth knowledge of SBA loan programs, regulations, and best practices, while also sharing experiences, strategies and insights for success.

“I’ve had the great fortune of being surrounded by some of the top talent in the SBA industry,” said Drew, who will serve as SBA Managing Director at Truliant. “I’m thrilled to get to work with them here at Truliant.”

Last year, nearly 70% of the SBA’s 7(a) national loan volume, more than 39,000 loans, were small-dollar loans of $350,000 or less, with the program originating more loans under $150,000 than in its previous three fiscal years.

Since joining Truliant in 2020, Jackson has formed an origination team focusing on national production. The program has emphasized controlled growth to maintain quality service.

Credit unions are a popular choice for small businesses seeking loans and lines of credit, with high approval rates according to the Federal Reserve’s 2023 Small Business Credit Survey. Compared to online lenders and large banks, businesses reported greater satisfaction with the credit union experience.
 

About Truliant Federal Credit Union
Truliant is a mission-driven, not-for-profit financial institution that improves lives by providing great service and straightforward financial solutions. Truliant was chartered in 1952 and now serves 339,000+ members. Truliant has more than 35 Member Financial Centers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 
Contact: Heath Combs 
[email protected]
(o) 336-293-2054 (c) 336-442-5736