SBA's loan launchpad for small businesses Community banks are seizing opportunities to grow SBA lending and provide small and minority-owned businesses with capital that would otherwise be difficult to find. By Beth Mattson-Teig Photo by Adrienne Battistella B rian Egner built a solid career working in the manufacturing industry over nearly three decades. When he and his wife decided to relocate from Wisconsin to Florida, he decided it was time to think about being his own boss. His search for small businesses to buy led him to Fort Myers-based Architectural Metals of SW Florida, an aluminum fabrication business that manufactures and installs building materials, such as awnings, ramps and stairs. Making that dream come true hinged on financing. Egner used a Rollover as Business Startup (ROBS) plan to give him access to his retirement funds for the down payment. And with the help of First Bank of the Lake in Osage Beach, Mo., he was able to secure a 7(a) loan to purchase the business in March 2021, followed by a 504 loan in June that he used to also acquire its building. " I don't think I could have pulled it off without the Small Business Administration loans, " says Egner. Randy Vicknair of First Guaranty Bank believes SBA is a credit enhancer. 40 // ICBA Independent Banker // May 2023