Community Bank Reappointed as Member of the SBA's Preferred Lenders Program

BRADENTON, Fla., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Bank announced today that it has been reappointed as a member of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Preferred Lenders Program.  The Preferred Lenders Program streamlines the procedures necessary for Community Bank to make loans quickly and effectively to Tampa Bay businesses.  Under the SBA program, Community Bank can lend qualified borrowers up to $2 million.

According to the SBA, "Preferred Lenders Program lenders are nominated based on their historical record with the Agency.  They must have demonstrated a proficiency in processing and servicing SBA-guaranteed loans."

Chris Kneer, Community Bank's head of SBA lending commented, "Our reappointment corresponds with National Small Business week.  We are excited at re-qualifying for the Preferred Lenders Program as this elite status allows us to make credit decisions in-house speeding the lending process for qualified small business borrowers."

Chairman and CEO, Bill Sedgeman added, "Small businesses will be the engines of economic recovery and lending to them as part of our SBA program is part of our commitment to being the best bank in the Tampa Bay market."

ABOUT COMMUNITY BANK OF MANATEE

Community Bank continues to specialize in solutions for individuals by offering the regions best checking account, "Clover Gold," residential mortgages including "jumbo mortgages" with local quick decision-making and business solutions including Small Business Administration loans. Community Bank was recently ranked as the number one local community bank for SBA loans.

Community Bank, is a local, independent bank serving the communities of Florida's central Gulf Coast with five branches in Manatee and Hillsborough counties:

For more information, visit the bank's website at:  www.CommunityBankNow.com or contact the nearest office.

Equal Housing Lender    Member FDIC

SOURCE Community Bank of Manatee