As it continues to grow its market presence in the San Luis Obispo County region, American Riviera Bank welcomes Scott W. Bell as the new SBA business development officer for the Central Coast.
Bell has funded more than $100 million in SBA financing throughout his 27 years of experience and will now support this division at ARB, which holds the No. 1 SBA market share in 7(a) lending in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
In 2021, 58% of all small business loans funded throughout the bank’s branches were to small businesses with less than $1 million in gross annual revenues and currently, ARB has processed more than $82 million in SBA loans.
During the pandemic, the SBA team assisted clients in procuring $186 million in payroll protection program loans, saving 13,209 jobs with 1,065 first- and second-draw loans.
“We are thrilled to have Scott Bell join the SBA team, and to see him bring his decades of experience in SBA financing to San Luis Obispo County,” said Joanne Funari, executive vice president /COO. “He truly values client relationships and provides comprehensive financing services that enhance successful opportunities for local small businesses.
“He brings an incomparable value to the local economy as a dedicated SBA resource for the Central Coast community.”
American Riviera Bank established its SBA division in 2015 and is recognized as a Preferred SBA lender. The team includes Renee Howard, SBA manager; Annette Jorgensen, SBA business development officer for Santa Barbara, and now Bell for San Luis Obispo County.
“What I love about doing SBA loans for our clients that sets us apart from the rest is being able to quickly respond to the need. I love that ‘aha’ moment when I’m meeting with a client and I’ve figured out a way to make it work,” said Howard.
“Once we have the deal figured out, there is an entire team of people at ARB that I can call for assistance in structuring the deal so that it meets the needs of everyone involved,” Howard said.
Bell attended California State University Fresno, where he majored in business administration with a minor in agriculture finance. He prioritizes building relationships with local business clients to understand their commercial real estate needs and provide them with a full range of customized SBA financial services.
For more about ARB’s SBA Division visit www.americanriviera.bank.