One Georgia Bank Approved by the United States Department of Transportation to Assist Minority, Women and Veteran Owned Small Businesses

(BUSINESS WIRE)--One Georgia Bank and the U.S. Department of Transportation announces a partnership whereby One Georgia Bank will be a Participating Lender with DOT’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). The Short Term Lending Program (STLP) is aimed at helping qualified small and disadvantaged businesses compete for government contracting opportunities.

“One Georgia Bank is already a leader in providing solutions to small business owners with our SBA and USDA guaranteed lending programs”

Under STLP One Georgia Bank will provide a line of credit that will be secured primarily by receivables from transportation contracts. The US DOT will fully guarantee the line. Companies eligible for STLP are certified Disadvantaged Business Entities or businesses certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration Section 8(A) Program, Hubzone, Disabled Veteran or Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business. The maximum loan amount is $750,000.

“This program will go a long way to providing the type of targeted assistance that small businesses competing in the transportation industry need right now,” said OSDBU Director Brandon Neal. “It will really help level the playing field for smaller companies eager to compete.”

“One Georgia Bank is already a leader in providing solutions to small business owners with our SBA and USDA guaranteed lending programs,” stated Willard “Chuck” Lewis, President & CEO of One Georgia Bank. “STLP gives us another tool to bring to market that will help businesses go to the next level.”

STLP eligible activities include maintenance, rehabilitation, improvements, or revitalization of any of the nation’s transportation modes which include public, commercial, Federal, State, or local agency. One Georgia Bank is currently processing its first application under the program.

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One Georgia Bank Ranks No. 1

(BUSINESS WIRE)--One Georgia Bank grew its small-business loan volume faster than any other bank in the state as of June 30, processing more than $11 million in loans approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

This places One Georgia Bank firmly in front of the pack, with its nearest competitor behind by more than $1 million in dollar volume.

SBA approved 14 7(a) loans for One Georgia Bank totaling $11.2 million through June 30th for the fiscal year starting October 1, 2008, and ending September 30, 2009.

“It’s the nation’s small businesses that will drive any economic upturn,” said Willard “Chuck” Lewis, President and Chief executive officer of One Georgia Bank. “We’re pleased to provide the gas.”

One Georgia Bank started its SBA lending department in March 2008 and by September 30th of that year had processed more than $6 million in SBA-approved 7(a) loans. By December, the bank was named a Preferred Lender by the SBA, giving One Georgia Bank the ability to process small-business loans faster. This helped the company earn the SBA’s Pacesetter Award for 2008.

One Georgia Bank also participates in the SBA’s Patriot Express program for military families and the SBA CapLines program for homebuilders.

“One Georgia Bank remains committed to small-business lending during this period of economic adversity,” said Kevin L. Clingman, Vice President and Manager of SBA Lending at One Georgia Bank. “Small-business owners can count on us.”

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One Georgia Bank is State's Fastest-Growing Lender to Small Businesses

/PRNewswire/ -- Sprinting ahead of the pack in 2008, One Georgia Bank grew its SBA 7(a) loan volume faster than any other lender in the state. The Atlanta-based community bank set the leading pace during the first year of its newly created SBA Lending Division that started operations in March 2008. In November 2008, the bank received approval from the U.S. Small Business Administration as a Preferred Lender.

One Georgia Bank approved fourteen 7(a) loans totaling $6,600,000 for SBA's fiscal year which ended September 30, 2008, earning the bank SBA's Pacesetter Award.

Among all lenders in the state for 7(a) loans, One Georgia Bank ranked fourth by total dollar volume at the end of December 2008 with four 7(a) loans totaling $2.8 million. The company trailed the leader by only $314,500.

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, and we're proud to do our part to help them grow and thrive," said Willard "Chuck" Lewis, president and chief executive officer of One Georgia Bank. "During these difficult economic times it's crucial that we support our local entrepreneurs."

In an effort to continue and expand that support, One Georgia Bank has become a Patriot Express lender. The SBA program is designed to help military veterans and their spouses, current or widowed, gain access to loans for expanding small business ventures.

With the Patriot Express program, loans of up to $500,000 are available. Loans of $150,000 or less qualify for the SBA's maximum guaranty of 85 percent. Loans of more than $150,000 qualify for a 75 percent guaranty.

Patriot Express loans can be used for most business purposes, including acquisition of real estate, equipment, inventory and working capital.

"It is an honor to have the opportunity to help brave members of our military lead successful lives once they return home from duty," Lewis said. "After the sacrifices they have made for our country, our veterans and their families are undoubtedly deserving of professional financial help at home."

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