Charlotte, NC – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) North Carolina District Office named its top lenders for 2011. During the year, SBA approved guaranties for 1,244 loans for almost $480 million in the state. This represents the largest dollar amount approved in a single year in the history of the office.

This represents a 53 percent increase over 2010 in which SBA approved 1,221 loans for over $312 million in North Carolina.

SBA approved 1,127 loans in North Carolina through its flagship 7(a) program for over $416 million. Through SBA’s 504 fixed-asset financing program, Certified Development Companies approved 117 loans for almost $64 million and an additional $71 million in bank financing.

“With the help of our North Carolina lending partners, we were able to get half a billion dollars in the hands of NC small businesses,” said District Director Lynn Douthett. “We are pleased to recognize our top lenders for helping these small businesses create jobs and help boost the state economy.”

SBA tracks and ranks lenders in four categories: Banks, Community Lenders, Non-Bank Lenders and Certified Development Companies. Lender awards recognize the outstanding contributions of SBA lenders who underwrite SBA guaranteed loans and provide access to capital for small business owners in North Carolina.

SBA Lender Awards were presented at the North Carolina Bankers Association Lenders Conference on October 26, 2011 at the Marriott Greensboro Airport.

2011 Lender Award winners:

NC Lender of the Year Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) – Winston-Salem, NC
NC Community Lender of the Year Surrey Bank & Trust – Mount Airy, NC
NC Non-Bank Lender of the Year Superior Financial Group – Walnut Creek, CA

NC Certified Development Company of the Year
Business Expansion Funding Corporation – Charlotte, NC
Self-Help Ventures Fund – Durham, NC

2011 Achievement Awards were awarded to the following lenders based on their increased participation in SBA’s 7(a) program:

SBA NC Platinum Lenders:

Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T)
Superior Financial Group

SBA NC Gold Lenders:

Wells Fargo Bank

SBA NC Silver Lenders:

SunTrust Bank

SBA NC Bronze Lenders:

Borrego Springs Bank
Community Bank of Rowan
First Financial Bank
RBC Bank
Southern Bank & Trust
Surrey Bank and Trust
Southern Community Bank & Trust
The Fidelity Bank
Yadkin Valley Bank and Trust

SBA NC Achievement Awards:

Community Bank of Rowan
First Chatham Bank
First Financial Bank
Southern Bank & Trust
Southern Community Bank and Trust
The Fidelity Bank

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