Call for Nominations: Coleman’s 2026 SBA Lender Professional Award Categories Announced

by Bob Coleman

Founder & Publisher

Nomination submissions are now open for Coleman’s 2026 SBA Lender Professional Awards! These awards recognize individuals and institutions who have demonstrated outstanding performance and meaningful impact in the SBA lending arena.

Submit Your Nomination Today!

Why These Awards Matter

The SBA Lender Professional Awards are built around demonstrable results—strong portfolios, increased small business access to capital, operational excellence—and the kinds of leadership and innovation that move the market forward. As the leading source of critical information for SBA lenders and small-business financiers, the Coleman Report recognises that the most meaningful progress is achieved not through broad slogans, but through tangible action.

Who Can Be Nominated?

Nominations are open to both individuals and organisations. Self-nominations are welcome, and there is no entry fee. If you know someone who has advanced SBA lending in a measurable way—through improved workflows, enhanced borrower outcomes, creative marketing strategies, or an underserved segment focus—now is the time to submit.

Award Categories

Individual Awards include:

• Main Street Lender Professional of the Year
• SBA 7(a) Lender Professional of the Year
• SBA 504 Lender Professional of the Year
• SBA Lender Legacy Award
• SBA Marketing Executive of the Year
• SBA Secondary Market Executive of the Year
• SBA Lender Innovator of the Year
• SBA Chief Lending Officer Executive of the Year
• SBA Portfolio Manager of the Year
• SBDC Executive of the Year
• Best Small Business Loan of the Year 
• For exceptional creativity in structuring a single transaction that saved or grew a Main Street business. 
• SBA Rising Star Lender of the Year (Less than 5 years in the Industry) – multiple winners
• SBA Business Development Officer of the Year – multiple winners
• SBA Loan Broker of the Year — multiple winners

Institution Awards include:

• Bank SBA Lender of the Year
• Non-Bank SBA Lender of the Year
• Credit Union SBA Lender of the Year
• Mission-Based SBA Lender of the Year
• The Spirit of SBA Lender Award
• SBA Marketing Team Excellence Award
• Best use of AI in SBA Lending
• SBA Underserved Market Lender of the Year Award
• SBA Veteran Owned Business Lender of the Year
• SBA Manufacturer Lender of the Year
• SBA Export Lender of the Year
• SBA MARC Lender of the Year
• SBA Fintech Lender of the Year
• SBA Hospitality Lender of the Year
• SBA Franchise Lender of the Year
• Rural Main Street Lender of the Year
• SBA Lender Service Provider of the Year
• SBA Vendor Solution Provider of the Year

Institutions are eligible for award in more than one category.

Timeline

• Deadline for nominations: December 31, 2025
• Announcement of winners: January 2026
• Winners’ in-person ceremony: Spring 2026 in Orlando

Sponsorship

Coleman Report is currently seeking event sponsorships. Please contact Bob Coleman at bob@colemanreport.com for further details.

Nominate Someone Today

Submit your nomination today and ensure that leaders of real-world SBA lending excellence are recognised. Visit the nomination link, complete the brief form, and help us highlight the best in our industry.

Submit Your Nomination Today!

Mastering SBA 7(a) Biz Aq Loans: Structure Deals for Perfect Compliance — Webinar 11/4

In FY 2025, 23.6% of SBA 7(a) loan dollars—over $9 billion—were used for business acquisitions, confirming that change-of-ownership financing remains one of the most active and scrutinized segments of the SBA program.

With Baby Boomers still owning approximately 40% of all U.S. small businesses, the volume of transition transactions continues to rise. And, the new SOP 50 10 8.1 rules demand sharper attention to loan structure, valuation documentation, and guaranty protection.

Led by Lance Sexton, former SBA Deputy Director of the Little Rock Servicing Center and current EVP of Phoenix Lender Services, this training provides a practical, compliance-focused guide to underwriting and closing SBA business acquisition loans. Lance will explain how to structure deals involving asset and stock purchases, apply equity injection and collateral rules, and evaluate goodwill and business valuation standards to ensure every transaction aligns with SBA’s requirements.

Read more and register here

SBA Leadership: Lender Servicing & Portfolio Strategy with New SOP 5057 4 — Webinar 11/6

The SBA’s new SOP 50 57 4 goes into effect November 1, 2025. With major changes to liquidation deadlines, servicing standards, PPP record retention, and lender liability, now is the time to make sure you’re prepared

Coleman Webinar on November 6 – For your SBA Leadership Team

What sets Coleman training apart? Lance Sexton, Coleman’s SBA training expert and former Deputy Director of SBA’s Little Rock Servicing Center, leads both sessions. Lance has walked in your shoes and sat on SBA’s side of the table—bringing a rare dual perspective. He knows where lenders trip up, how SBA evaluates servicing and liquidation decisions, and what practical steps protect the guaranty.

Coleman’s webinars go beyond reading rules. They deliver clear explanations, real-world examples, and lender-focused strategies your team can use immediately. Don’t wait until November to adjust—get ahead of the curve with Coleman’s trusted training.

Leverage AI Tools to Craft SBA 7(a) Credit Memos — Onsite Workshop in Oakland, CA on 11/18

Bob Coleman will lead a full-day workshop teaching how to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Co-Pilot to streamline SBA 7(a) credit memo preparation. Attendees will receive hands-on training, work through real loan examples, and get ready-to-use templates to improve their underwriting process.

The event takes place on November 18 from 8AM to 4PM PT at TMC Financing in Oakland, CA, with a networking dinner the evening before. It is designed for SBA underwriters, credit analysts, lending managers, and bank executives looking to boost efficiency and accuracy. Registration is $795 per attendee, and seats are limited.

Read more and register here

Coleman’s SBA Franchise Risk Grade Report — $295 Per Report

The Coleman Franchise Report is the only franchise intelligence tool built specifically for SBA loan underwriters. Packed with up-to-date SBA loan data, FDD analysis, and impartial Coleman Franchise Risk Grades, it delivers the transparency and confidence underwriters need to make better lending decisions.

This report is tailored to your specific needs and evaluates franchises using key SBA criteria, saving you countless hours of research. Empower your underwriters with precise, reliable data and our simple Grading Scale (AAA to F), helping you determine the viability of a franchise with confidence!

Read more and order here

SBA Secondary Market Summit — December 4, 2025

Coleman’s SBA Secondary Market Summit is back for 2025! For our 18th year, we’re excited to partner with the National Rural Lenders Roundtable (NRLR) to bring you two premier events under one roof in Washington, DC. Bob Judge will bring his decades of industry knowledge and expert insight to give us a glimpse of what to expect in 2026. Bob Coleman will moderate and put together the only program that brings together the Big Four of the SBA secondary market: Brokers, Investors, Sellers and SBA.

Early registration for the Summit is now open with a special early bird offer — one seat for just $995 if purchased by August 15. Don’t miss this opportunity to save!

Read more and register here

PREVIOUS REPORTING

A Coleman Conversation: Jon Winick

SBA’s Office of Advocacy Deemed Essential Workforce – Operates During Shutdown

Restaurant Sales Trends: Family Dining +1.9%, Quick Service -1.1%, Fast Casual –1.6%

Philly RE Broker Promised 16% for Bridge Loans — Ripped off Lenders and Investors for $1.4 Million

UPCOMING COLEMAN WEBINARS

Mastering SBA 7(a) Biz Aq Loans: Structure Deals for Perfect Compliance — 11/4

What Brokers Need to Know from SBA Lenders to Earn Up to 2 Points Referral Fee — 11/5

SBA Leadership: Lender Servicing & Portfolio Strategy with New SOP 5057 4 — 11/6

New SOP 50 57 4 Effective November 1: SBA Mandatory Deadlines and Expanded Guaranty Repair and Denial Guidance — 11/12

Lending Conference Schedule 2025-2026

Leverage AI to Craft SBA Loan Credit Memos – November 18 (Oakland, CA)

National Rural Lenders Roundtable – December 3 (Washington DC)

SBA Secondary Market Summit – December 4 (Washington DC)

SESBLC – March 18-20, 2026 (Savannah, GA)

MALC – April 13-15, 2026 (San Antonio, TX)

America West – June 3-5, 2026 (Santa Rosa, CA)

COLEMAN LIBRARY

“Easy Money, Hard Time: 19-Covid PPP Loan Fraud Stories” by Bob Coleman

eBook Available for $14.95

Paperback available for $24.95

Hardcover available for $49.95

SBA 5010 8 (6/25) SBA Loan Policy

Paperback available on Amazon for $29.95

SBA 5057 4 (10/25) SBA Loan Servicing and Liquidation

Hardcover available on Amazon for $39.95

SBA 5056 1 (11/23) SBA Lender Policy

Hardcover available on Amazon for $39.95

COLEMAN YOUTUBE

A Coleman Conversation: Jon Winick (10/29/25)

Philly Broker’s $1.4M Bridge Loan Scam (10/24/25)

A Coleman Conversation: The Schwandt Family (Stephanie, Ali, & Phillip) (10/22/25)