Pictured L-R: Terri Denison, District Director, SBA State of Georgia; Ray Pennie, President of Business Development, ACE; and, Jeff Patterson, Supervisory LRS/EDS, SBA State of Georgia
Terri Denison and Jeff Patterson, both with the State of Georgia SBA District Office, presented ACE with the “Mission Based Lender Award” for fiscal year 2018 – the third consecutive year we have received the honor. Ray Pennie, President of Business Development for ACE, accepted the award at the Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference held recently in Asheville, NC.
Mission based small business lenders are focused on helping businesses or communities that are disadvantaged including economically struggling communities, business owners of color, women, or those owners with low-moderate incomes. In addition to capital, business coaching and connections are provided. Mission-first is a cornerstone of Community Development Financial Institutions or CDFIs. ACE was awarded the honor based on production of SBA Community Advantage loans and SBA microloans in Georgia. These SBA loan products typically benefit those who need amounts of $250K or less and need to shore up or strengthen their collateral.