Grow America

Business Lending Team

SBA BDO/Lending Manager

2026

Position: Lending Manager (LM)

The Business Lending Team delivers Grow America’s (GA) core business services, including both SBA 7(a) guarantee funding through Grow America Fund (GA’s SBA-guarantee affiliate) and non-SBA loan products – generally smaller in loan size - through Community Impact Loan Fund (GA’s non-SBA business lending affiliate). This is an exciting position that centers on the referral, sourcing and structuring of transactions across all 50 states and allows an LM to creatively structure and serve business client needs with loans sizes that range from $150,000 up to $5,000,000 (and in some cases, even larger). The LM will work under the general supervision of the Director of Lending but will exercise significant latitude and autonomy, with no regular office attendance, in the performance of their responsibilities.

Primary Responsibilities:

Develop and maintain a network of referral sources for prospective businesses in need of financing. In general, through normal travel and networking, market GA loan products to ensure a viable pipeline of leads. Note, GA offers a generous travel budget to both develop business and to be able to travel nationally to build pipeline.
Screen prospective loan applicants to determine if minimal loan qualification standards are met. Ensure that the foundation for any long-term credit or closing items (to include environmental concerns, appraisals, equity substantiation, lease length to be co-terminus with length of loan and site control etc.) are met.
With assistance from the Director of Lending, market and structure GA business lending products along the capital continuum. To that end, if an applicant is not eligible for an SBA 7(a) loan under the Grow America Fund program, leverage other GA small business lending products, at any given time, to include a loan under any of GA’s non-SBA guarantee programs. Again, a client should be able to receive funding from as little as $150,000 up to $5,000,000 depending on their need and sophistication.
Gather necessary data to complete an application package and source documents for credit analysis of all qualified applicants (tax returns, interim financials, PFS and other items as needed).
Perform high-level credit analysis to include spreading of business financials, construction of business and personal cash flows, and collateral analysis. Thereafter, in line with the second bullet above, appropriately structure client financing needs with the correct loan product, competitive rate, appropriate term and issue term sheets.
Upon acceptance of signed term sheets and receipt of deposit, write the initial story of the business through completion of a project summary and business history/background, management summary and discussion of strengths/ weaknesses (a pre-screen) in preparation for submission to Credit. Ensure a smooth hand off from Originations into Credit. Note, our credit culture within GA is common-sense and driven by reasonable determinations around an applicant’s character, the business capacity, a reasonable existing cash flow margin (1.15:1 and lower in some cases with allowance for projections based lending and start-ups), and reasonable determinations across collateral (i.e. if there is strong existing cash flow, but a lack of collateral, we generally will move forward with a deal).

Minimum Skill Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in finance, business administration, economics or a related field. A degree in history, English or political science could be deemed favorable as it develops strong analytic and writing skills.
Minimum five years in SBA 7(a) lending and strong knowledge of SBA lending to include a mastery of the SBA SOP.
Strong sales and calling skills.
Candidates with existing networks of business within the states of California, Washington, Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut will be looked upon favorably. We also encourage candidates who can generate loan volume anywhere in the United States to apply, as Grow America is not limited by geography and can lend in all fifty states.
Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to be persuasive one-on-one as well as in group settings.
Strong analytical, time management and organizational skills as well as a high level of attention to detail.
Strong intra-personal skills. Lending Managers often work with different partners both inside and outside of the organization to accomplish tasks. Strong working relationships are required in order to succeed in the role.
Impeccable personal integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality of borrower data.
Computer literacy in contact management, word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.
Presentation skills to small and large groups (5-100).

Physical Requirements:

Ability to work remotely and independently. A successful LM is entrepreneurial and a self-starter by nature.
Ability to travel occasionally, both locally and nationally, to attend meetings, conferences or site visits.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to: careers@growamerica.org

Competitive salary commensurate with experience. The annual base salary is $135,000 with sliding scale bonus based on volume of loan production. Comprehensive benefits package. Grow America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required.

National Development Council

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