First Bank Financial Centre Recognized for SBA Lending and Veterans Initiative

OCONOMOWOC, Wis., May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- At this year's Wisconsin Lenders Conference, First Bank Financial Centre (FBFC) received the SBA Lender of the Year Award for its commitment to SBA lending. FBFC, a community bank that has served southeastern Wisconsin since 1859, is the state's #1 SBA lender, ranks 28^th nationally for SBA loan volume and is a leader in the agency's Veterans Pledge Initiative, designed to increase lending to veteran-owned businesses.

In February 2013, FBFC signed a best efforts five-year pledge for the Veterans Pledge Initiative with the goal of increasing its lending to veterans by five percent above the bank's prior year. In the first year, FBFC exceeded the goal by extending 18 SBA loans to veterans totaling $3.9 million.

The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of the nation. Although the SBA has grown and evolved over the years, the bottom line mission remains the same, the SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses.

First Bank Financial Centre, headquartered in Oconomowoc, is a community bank focused on meeting the financial needs of local businesses and individuals. The bank has 11 full-service branch locations and two loan offices covering Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Dane counties.

For more information on FBFC's SBA lending or the Veterans Pledge Initiative, please call Casey Diderrich at (262) 560-2064 or (888) 569-9909 or visit www.FBFCWI.com/sbaloans.

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SOURCE First Bank Financial Centre