HAYS – Sunflower Bank announced this week that it provided the highest total amount of U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans by a bank lender in the Kansas District in FY2020, according to the SBA. It was a record-setting year for Sunflower Bank, as it achieved top SBA 7(a) rankings in multiple markets:

• Kansas District Office - first bank lender

• El Paso District Office - second bank lender 

• Arizona District Office - fourth bank lender

• Colorado District Office - ninth bank lender

“It is extremely gratifying to see the success we have achieved in providing SBA 7(a) loans to businesses across all of Sunflower Bank’s regions,” said Matthew Mapes, director of SBA Market Development at Sunflower Bank. “We’re making significant investments in our SBA capabilities because we know that SBA 7(a) loans provide incredible benefits and are often overlooked as financing options to help successful, established businesses grow.” 

Sunflower Bank became an SBA Preferred Lender in 2019. Under the Preferred Lenders Program, high-volume SBA lenders such as Sunflower Bank are delegated loan approval as well as closing and most servicing and liquidation authority, enabling them to make loan decisions more rapidly. To earn the PLP designation, lenders must establish a successful track record and display a thorough understanding of SBA lending policies and procedures.

Sunflower Bank’s commercial banking team in Western Kansas is led by regional president, Mike Briney. The team provides SBA lending expertise to local businesses for business acquisition, owner-occupied commercial real estate, equipment financing and working capital needs. 

Lending volume data is provided by the SBA for FY2020, ending Sept. 30, 2020.