Topic: 2025 SBA Rules Update

Speaker:  Matthew Mapes, SVP/SBA Lender, Bell Bank

Presentation:

Understanding SBA Lending

- Origins from the Small Business Act of 1953

- Evolution through the Preferred Lending Program

- FY 2024 statistics
 

Eligibility Requirements

- Business must be operating, for-profit, and U.S.-based

- Ownership must meet SBA citizenship and size standards
 

Why SBA Loans Make Sense

- Flexible terms for cash flow

- Solutions for collateral shortfalls

- Lower equity/down payment requirements
 

SBA Loan Programs Overview

- 7(a) vs. 504: Loan purposes, terms, and structures

- Real-world examples of business acquisition and commercial real estate financing
 

Key SBA Rule Changes (Effective June 1, 2025)

- New rules for partial ownership changes

- Updated equity injection requirements

- Restrictions on refinancing merchant cash advances and factoring

- Citizenship and residency clarifications

- “Small Loan” threshold reduced to $350K

Speaker's bio:
SVP/SBA Lender Matthew is responsible for leading the development and growth of Small Business Administration (SBA) lending in Arizona for Bell bank. Working in banking since 2004, he uses his extensive knowledge of commercial banking and the U.S. Small Business Administration to help business owners evaluate and structure loans to minimize risk and maximize their growth potential, helping businesses navigate the application and approval process of both the bank and the SBA. 

Hailing from Midland, Mich., he holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwood University, where he graduated magna cum laude. Since high school, he has have lived by the principle, “If you want it, work for it.” While studying engineering in college, he worked part-time at a credit union where his employer offered to pay his college tuition if he would change his major to banking. Recognizing a great opportunity, he made the switch and hasn’t looked back. 

Throughout his career, Matthew seeks successful leaders to work under, knowing that by contributing to their success, he will also bring out the best in himself. This has rewarded him with progressively more responsible roles in collections, special assets workouts, portfolio management and commercial banking. He has specialized in SBA lending since 2013 and was awarded the 2015 U.S. Small Business Administration Arizona Financial Services Champion of the Year, and 2019 Coleman SBA BDO of the year. 

An active community volunteer, Matthew is a former trustee on the board of directors for CoBiz Cares Foundation, a non-profit organization that has granted over $1 million in grants to Arizona and Colorado nonprofit organizations, he also served on the advisory board of directors for Release the Fear, a nonprofit organization that uses the creative processes of art, music and communication to help youth and young adults combat peer pressure, bullying, anger and violence.