Northwestern Named "Business Development Lender of the Year" by the SBA.
TRAVERSE CITY, MICH., JUNE 1, 2006 - The U.S. Small Business Administration's Michigan District Office presented its 2005 lender awards at the Eighth Annual Michigan SBA Lenders' Conference held in Lansing earlier this year. Northwestern Bank, the largest independent community bank in northern Michigan, was named "Business Development Lender of the Year."
The award is presented annually to the lender with at least 10 SBA loan approvals in the prior year and the largest percentage increase in the number of approvals. Northwestern's SBA loans increased 80% from fiscal year 2004 to fiscal year 2005.
"We're very excited to be recognized with this award from the Small Business Administration," said Lori VanAntwerp, Northwestern's SBA loan specialist. "Northwestern is committed to helping small business owners fulfill their goals and look forward to doing so for years to come."
Northwestern Bank was chartered in 1955 and is now the largest independent community bank in northern Michigan. A growing financial institution with $700 million in assets, the bank is one of the leading mortgage, consumer, and commercial lenders in the region. Based in Traverse City, Northwestern Bank offers complete banking, investment and trust, and employee benefit services from 23 offices throughout northern Lower Michigan. Northwestern is committed to an "I can do that!" approach to service, which empowers employees to make decisions on the spot to meet customer needs and exceed their expectations.
For further information, call (231) 932-6710 or e-mail lvanantwerp@nwbank.com.