Mountain America Credit Union Named Utah's Leading SBA Lender for Third Consecutive Year
May 23 2024 - 5:41PM
The Utah District Office of the Small Business Administration (SBA)
named Mountain America Credit Union the top 7(a) lender and the top
7(a) minority lender in the state for 2023. The credit union was
recognized by the Utah District SBA at an awards ceremony earlier
this month. Mountain America was previously named Utah’s top 7(a)
lender in 2022 and 2021.
“Mountain America’s small business lending department is
dedicated to assisting our members in securing the necessary
capital to initiate and expand their enterprises. This award
underscores their unwavering commitment,” said Sterling Nielsen,
president and CEO of Mountain America Credit Union. “We understand
the pivotal role small businesses play in our communities. By
bolstering them with financial resources and services, we uphold
our ethos of community support.”
With these SBA-guaranteed loans, Mountain America was able to
help more small businesses than any other SBA lender in Utah. A
7(a) loan is the SBA’s most common loan program. These loans can be
used for a variety of purposes, and they are especially ideal for
helping small businesses purchase real estate or equipment,
refinance business debt, or provide working capital.
“To be recognized as both the top 7(a) and top minority-owned
7(a) lender of the year in Utah is a testament to our unwavering
commitment to excellence in serving our community,” said Seth
Wheatley, vice president of small business lending at Mountain
America. “It reaffirms our dedication to empowering entrepreneurs
of all backgrounds, fostering economic growth, and ensuring
equitable access to vital financial resources.”
At the same event, two Mountain America members were chosen for
the Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year award. Jennifer
Pettinger and Sara Deneau are co-owners of Sun Print Solutions. A
beacon of success in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Sun
Print Solutions was recognized for business innovation, leadership,
and community involvement. They turned to Mountain America when
they needed help purchasing the land their business occupied.
“Mountain America has been a huge part of the success of Sun
Print Solutions,” Pettinger said. “We have so many heavy pieces of
equipment. We can’t just get up and move on a whim. It was really
important for our success that we owned the real estate, and they
helped us get that SBA loan.”
According to the SBA, as of 2023, the 33-plus million small
businesses in the United States account for more than 99.9% of all
businesses. These small businesses provide jobs to 61.7 million
people, representing 46.4% of private sector employees in the
U.S.
In addition to the Utah SBA district rankings, Mountain America
has been named the nation’s top credit union SBA lender, according
to Callahan and Associates, for 20 years in a row. Mountain America
offers a variety of financial resources and options to small
business owners. These services include expert guidance and
resources to improve business productivity and streamline finances
through attentive, personalized services. This is achieved by
featuring a full cash management suite of products, enhanced
expense management business credit card software, merchant
services, and top-of-market deposit rates.
To apply for a small business loan or to talk to a loan
specialist, please visit macu.com/business. Loans on approved
credit.
About Mountain America Credit Union With more
than 1 million members and $19 billion in assets, Mountain America
Credit Union helps its members define and achieve their financial
dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a
variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as
sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge
mobile banking technology, over 100 branches across six states, and
more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain America—guiding you
forward. Learn more at macu.com.
Contact: publicrelations@macu.com, macu.com/newsroom