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The U.S. Small Business Administration, (SBA) provides two specific types of loan funds and guarantees. The purpose of these loan funds is simply to generate economic activity through offering loan funding that might not generally be available in the traditional banking model.

There are three concerns that typically cause businesses to explore SBA loans:

• A perceived risk due to some inherent risk of the industry (obsolescence)
• The nature of the business itself (start-up, undercapitalized)
• The security available to support the loan (insufficient equity)

Two Types of Loans: Plan 7a or 504

These specific loan programs are offered under Plan 7a or 504. Plan 7a is a traditional loan under which the borrowers pay fees on each individual loan, which are used to guarantee some portion of the loan, usually 75%. Usually this type of loan is characterized by a lack of sufficient up front equity on the part of the business owners, or a collateral type which is insufficient to support the required loan. Additionally, under the 7a program the loan might approach a higher level than a bank would typically have comfort with.

The second plan, 504, is one in which the loan is secured in some primary portion by business premises, although some equipment lending is being seen under this format as well. In the 504 program, the borrower pays an equity component, (usually 10-20% depending) the bank provides a 50% first loan and the SBA takes a second interest of 30-40%. The benefit of 504 lending is that the borrower can see up to a 20-25 year fixed interest rate as the SBA loan. These rates are competitive with today’s 5 year fixed rates by traditional banking sources.

Get an SBA Loan at Reduced Rates

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced two fee reductions to the SBA-504 program starting October 1, 2015.

First, the SBA is reducing the upfront fees financed into an SBA-504 loan by 1⁄2 of 1% as of October 1st. On a $1,000,000 project where a bank funds 50%, SBA funds 40%, and a borrower injects 10%, it will significantly reduce the fees financed into the borrower’s 40% portion by $2,000.

Secondly, the ongoing fees added to the borrower’s payment will be reduced slightly by 2.35 basis points on all approvals after October 1.

Conclusion

These rate reductions are great news for business owners considering an expansion or start-up. Please contact us if there are questions regarding these fees and the process of getting loans of any type.

At Pinnacle Bank, we are developing the resources to offer many varied solutions to your business borrowing needs, allowing us the capacity to say yes where others say no!

Now that Spring is in full swing, checking off some of those easily forgotten to-dos can give you a jumpstart for Q2. The University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center — designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance — names the six quick ways to refresh your business for the rest of the year.

From sprucing up your social presence and staffing assignments to reassessing your goals, these SBDC tips are a must-read. Put on your cleaning gloves then tackle these quick and easy tips for spring cleaning your business.

Holli Gailey got her start in banking 2005 and gained experience in the front lines of banking as a Personal Banker. In 2010, Holli became a Mortgage Lender and has enjoyed her job ever since.

Holli enjoys servicing areas including Royston, Elberton, Lexington, Hartwell and Lavonia. From VA and USDA loans to new construction, she’s enjoyed helping many customers navigate the mortgage process and get into their new homes as smoothly as possible. To Holli, each customer’s situation is a like a puzzle and she finds it fun to put the right pieces together to make their mortgage work. She particularly enjoys the excitement of new homeowners after the process, or those that have been able to refinance to lower rates.

With Pinnacle Bank’s goal of being the best community bank in Georgia, Holli has a sincere appreciation for the small town atmosphere, where team members feel more like friends and family.

Holli is a member of the Young Professionals Hospital Board at Elbert Memorial, a member of the Delta Zeta local sorority and a member of her Church Board.

Originally from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and a graduate of the University of Alabama, Holli moved to Georgia 12 years ago and loves this area. Outside of the bank, Holli enjoys spending time at the lake with her husband and young son and daughter. They also enjoy traveling abroad when possible, including trips to Venice, Switzerland and Austria.

If you are interested in meeting Holli Gailey to discuss your mortgage needs, she can be reached at 706.213.3329 or via email.

Betsy Jourdan has been involved in banking since 1990, working as a teller, loan processor and eventually a management trainee. However, she moved into the mortgage side of banking in 2000 and continues to be fascinated by the process of helping someone into their new home. She joined the Pinnacle Bank team two years ago, and we feel fortunate to have her unique point of view on the staff.

Working primarily on Athens and Monroe mortgages, Betsy loves the small town atmosphere in these communities. She feels she has the opportunity to truly connect with customers and successfully guide them through what can otherwise feel like a complex and stressful process.

Betsy and a real estate agent were recently featured in an Atlanta Journal Constitution article highlighting their dedication to pleasing mortgage customers.

“I 100% believe that we would not be in our home had it not been for Janice and Betsy. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, whether it was the weekend or a weekday, I could call, text and email them, and I had an answer,” the homeowner said.

With a background in the building industry, Betsy has strong experience in new home construction loans that turn into permanent financing.

Betsy and other members of our mortgage lending team were recent recipients of the 2015 O.W.L. Awards, recognizing their exceptional service.

(Betsy Jourdan, third from right)

Living in Georgia since the age of 9, Betsy is a die-hard UGA fan. When she’s not cycling, swimming, running or rooting for the ‘Dawgs, she loves spending time with her husband and her two sons.

She is an avid fan of Disney, and one of her sons has the pleasure of working there and keeping the magic alive for visitors to the park.

Betsy is also a supporter of the Boy Scouts (this photo is from a recent hike up and around Stone Mountain with the local boy scout Troop 81 from Monroe), Boys & Girls Club, a Walton County Chamber Ambassador, a member of the Pilot Club of Monroe, and Finance Council Chair at St Anna’s Catholic Church.

If you are interested in meeting Betsy Jourdan to discuss your mortgage needs, she can be reached at 770.464.4684 or via email.