We were recently honored with a Leadership in Lending award for the 2024 fiscal year.
The South Dakota District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) named First National Bank as the 7(a) Lender of the Year for closing the most 7(a) loans and the highest dollar value of 7(a) loans in the state.
“Our organization has a long history of supporting small businesses in the Sioux Falls area,” said FNB President & CEO Chris Ekstrum. “It’s an honor for our organization to once again be named 7(a) Lender of the Year, recognizing the hard work our team is putting in to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.”
In the 2024 fiscal year, we made 25 loans for a total of $8,566,800, which supported 145 jobs across 10 industry sectors.
“First National Bank has been a great partner to the SBA for years,” said District Director Bryson Patterson. “This award recognizes a lender that is making credit available to small businesses and is a leader in our community.”
Seven of our lenders wrote 7(a) loans in 2024. Business Banking Associate Alison Carlson helps process the loans, working with the lenders and entrepreneurs to complete the necessary paperwork and secure financing.
“It’s rewarding to collaborate with our team of lenders in helping current and future business owners bring their vision to life,” Alison said, “which creates opportunities for new business concepts and expanded options to come to the Sioux Falls area.”
Alison Carlson and Bryson Patterson (center) with six of our lenders who wrote 7(a) loans in 2024.
One of the 7(a) loans we made in 2024 supported Sioux Falls’s newest Wingstop location, which co-owners Jeff Oliver and Mike Leslie opened on 57th Street near Louise Avenue.
“We felt comfortable with FNB’s proven track record and years of experience,” Jeff said of choosing to partner with the Bank, adding that “the SBA loan provided flexible terms we would not get from traditional lending.”
Business Banker Blake Chesley, who has been with the Bank for nearly four years, worked with Oliver and Leslie on the loan.
“Blake and the FNB team are a pleasure to work with,” Jeff said. “It felt like, after our first meeting with Blake, he was a step ahead of us by keeping us on task. FNB’s Business Banking team took a genuine interest in the business and what we’re building as a company.”
We previously received lender awards for the 2017, 2019, and 2021 fiscal years.
You can learn more about how we support small businesses and local entrepreneurs here, or you can find a Business Banker to help bring your vision to life.
