News Release
The Small Business Administration (SBA) Indiana District Office recognized some of its most active small business lenders across the state at the annual SBA Indiana Lender Awards.
Lenders in the following categories were recognized for their outstanding efforts in FY25 at the Indiana Small Business Lenders Symposium held recently:
Regional Lender – Huntington National Bank
Community Lender, Gold – 1st Source Bank
Community Lender, Silver – First Merchants Bank
Community Lender, Bronze – Centier Bank
504 CDC Lender (Loans Approved) – Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation
504 CDC Lender (Dollar Volume) – Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation
Third Party Lender – Citizens State Bank
Mission Lender – Bankable
“We’re proud to be a trusted small business ally, resource and access point supporting Indiana’s bold entrepreneurial spirit,” said SBA Indiana District Director Stacey Poynter. “SBA guaranteed loan programs would not be possible without our lending partners. We value these relationships because these lenders work hard to provide Indiana small businesses with critical access to capital to grow their businesses. It is an honor to honor them for their achievements.”
By the Numbers: Indiana Funding and Impact
In FY25, the SBA approved 1,366 loans in their traditional 7(a) and 504 loan programs which provided more than $695 million directly to Indiana entrepreneurs and supported over $879 million used to start, grow, and expand Indiana-based businesses.
$564.4 million in 7(a) loans: The 7(a) loan program, SBA’s signature business loan program, guaranteed 1,237 loans worth almost $565 million.
$130.7 million in 504 loans: The 504 loan program delivered 129 fixed-rate loans for long-term assets and real estate worth more than $130.7 million while supporting an additional $184.5 million to small businesses from lenders.
$4.7 million in Microloan funding: The SBA microloan program provided 152 small dollar loans under $50,000 through our intermediary lending partners in the state. Indiana’s Bankable was the strongest lending driver and took the lead as the state – and nation’s – largest microlender, helping Indiana entrepreneurs access over $4 million in small dollar loans to start and grow their businesses.
Poynter said there were marked increases in the 504 and Microloan programs, signaling that Indiana small businesses are ready to expand their spaces, produce more products, and create more jobs.
“It’s exciting,” Poynter said. “SBA-guaranteed loan programs can be an excellent option for entrepreneurs, and SBA Microloans – which can be up to $50,000 – are a great way to start small, build credit, and scale growth because they include a free small business financial counseling component. This way, entrepreneurs know what they’re getting into and are truly lender ready when it’s time to buy big ticket items and access higher dollar loans through the SBA 7(a) and 504 programs.”
Across the nation, SBA lending was at an all-time high, with the agency guaranteeing over 84 million loans in the 7(a) and 504 programs, putting over $44.8 billion into the hands of America’s job creators.