2023 Trusted Advisers: Jessie Hughey

In nearly 12 years at The Bank of Missouri, Jessie Hughey has earned her title as vice president and senior Small Business Administration lender through advising and coaching of small-business owners.

“I review many business plans, cash flow projections and then advise the borrower on items that they have missed or things that they have yet to think of,” she says. “If I believe that something will have a negative impact on the business operation, I will discuss it with the borrower and advise where possible.”

Last year, she managed a business banking portfolio of $42.4 million for 109 clients.

With the unprecedented economic market, Hughey says she strives to identify trends within industries and address economic concerns that prove to be consistent across industries. Hughey also evaluates businesses from an investment standpoint.

“Recently, I have been able to help borrowers understand more about their financials and change their perspective in a way that shows them that their business is an investment,” she says. “This ensures that they get the highest return.”

Hughey received an MBA and bachelor’s degree in accounting from Missouri State University. She is currently working on an advanced degree through the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lending, an organization that hosts training sessions about SBA programs. She serves on the loan committee for Rural Missouri Inc. nonprofit and the board of the Springfield chapter of the Association of Women in Communications.

Additionally, Hughey is a recent graduate of Leadership Springfield.

“I serve on committees for them, and I am excited to expand into additional areas in the future,” Hughey says.

She also graduated from the Paul W. Barret Jr. Graduate School of Banking. Being a part of this program, she says, provided her with experience in commercial loans and team management, while also helping her to establish strong values in leadership and understand important aspects of banking operations.

“I acknowledge that I am young for the commercial lending role, but I think that provides me a different and valuable perspective,” she says. “I became a lender when I was 24 and have adopted the motto: Always be learning. I now lead the SBA team in southwest Missouri for The Bank of Missouri and help train our SBA team across the bank.”

Even through the coronavirus pandemic, Hughey used determination to guide her customers on federal loan applications and forgiveness forms, along with benefits for small businesses.

She often takes time to talk with her customers about ways to grow and improve their business, even if there aren’t any loan opportunities available at that moment.

“I am very passionate about small-business owners,” she says.

“I love to watch them grow and succeed and take every step with them.”