Community banks recognized for SBA lending

The Bank of Missouri is the leader among nearly 30 community banks recognized by RMI Business Finance for Small Business Administration lending.

Jefferson City-based RMI, an SBA-certified development company, yesterday published a list showing the top central Missouri region banks that partnered on SBA 504 business loans during the third quarter. According to a news release, 504 loans provide fixed-asset, long-term financing at low interest rates.

Lenders with at least eight loans are dubbed platinum-level partners by RMI. In the third quarter, they are:
• The Bank of Missouri, 28 loans;
• Arvest Bank, 20;
• Hawthorn Bank, 18;
• OakStar Bank, 17;
• Simmons Bank, 13;
• Central Bank of the Midwest, 12;
• Central Bank of the Ozarks, 11;
• Guaranty Bank, 10;
• Southern Bank, 10;
• Mid-Missouri Bank, nine; and
• Springfield First Community Bank, eight.

The loan totals were not disclosed in the release.