Welcome to SBA Today, presented by Res Title, your SBA Title Experts for the week of August 25th!

Paul Long is back from his vacation and is joined by the "SBA Godfather" himself, Lance Sexton. In this packed episode, Paul and Lance discuss major news and trends affecting SBA lenders, brokers, and borrowers.

Key Headlines & Industry Insights:

• Major SBA Personnel Change: Ginger Allen is no longer with the SBA as of last Friday. Lance notes this is a "huge blow to the SBA industry" due to her extensive experience.
• Bank Merger: Towne Bank and Dogwood State Bank are merging. Although they call it a "merger of equals," it appears Towne Bank is the acquirer. Lance points out that with change comes opportunity, especially for other SBA lenders who can acquire portfolios or serve borrowers left in the gap.
• Small Business Week: The hosts remind listeners to get their nominations in for National Small Business Week. It's a great opportunity to get recognition for a borrower and for the lender.
• Legislative Focus: Paul shares how he uses the agendas of the House and Senate small business committees as a tool to see what topics the SBA is focusing on for future changes. Upcoming hearings include "Pathway to Capital: The Role of SBA Lending in Supporting Main Street America" and "Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses".
• Q2 BizBuySell Insight Report: Business acquisition transactions fell 4% year-over-year. Lance and Paul discuss how tighter SBA lending and stricter underwriting are slowing deal-making. Forty-one percent of business brokers surveyed reported delays from new SBA policies, and the average time on market increased by 12 days year-over-year. Despite this, 55% of buyers are unaware of the recent changes.
• Manufacturing Sector Decline: The manufacturing sector saw a 28% drop in transactions year-over-year. This decline is largely attributed to tariffs and trade tensions. Paul and Lance emphasize the importance of SBA lenders being "in the game" rather than just dabbling. They also highlight that if a business outgrows the SBA program, it means the program has accomplished its purpose. 

This episode is sponsored by: Res/Title

Res/Title, your "One Stop Shop for SBA closings". We're your commercial title and closing company that provides you with the tools and technology to give you an instant quote and Al property reports on any deal in the nation. Whether it's for $35,000 or $35 Mil, we handle closings anywhere in the nation with one point of contact. Get started today! www.res-title.com

⚠️ Disclaimer: The views expressed on this show are our own and not necessarily the views of our employer. ⚠️