As a preferred lender, we know SBA loans. Our team of experts will guide you through the entire process — and get the funds you need fast. 

Key Features

  • Competitive Rates
  • Lower Down Payments
  • Extended Terms
  • Available for start-up businesses, as well as purchasing, expanding, and refinancing existing businesses
  • Government-assisted help for businesses that might otherwise have difficulty getting approved
  • Special financing for qualifying businesses
  • Competitive fixed and variable rates for a wide range of business purposes:
    • Expand, acquire or start a business
    • Purchase or construct real estate
    • Refinance existing business debt
    • Buy equipment
    • Provide working capital
    • Finance building improvements
    • Purchase inventory 
  • A wide range of lending options available
  • Generally lower down payments and extended terms
  • Attentive, friendly service from start to finish

Loan Size

Loan amount may vary depending on the request, but is limited to $5,000,000.

Interest Rate

  • Variable or fixed rate
  • Fully amortized through the term of the loan

Terms Available Amortization Periods

  • Up to 25 years on commercial real estate
  • Up to 10 years: equipment, business acquisition
  • Up to 10 years: working capital
  • All loans are fully amortized
  • No balloon payments

Loan Structure

  • Equity injection of at least 10% of the total project cost on Change of Ownership transactions.

Loan Fees

  • SBA Fees ranging from 0% to 2.77% of the loan amount depending on loan size
  • Fees rolled into loan

Good SBA loan prospects are listed below, but not limited to:

  • Business Acquisitions 
  • Loans to professionals – Doctors, Dentists, Veterinarians, Pharmacists 
  • Pet boarding facilities/pet hotels 
  • Real estate financing 
  • Franchises (SBA eligible) 
  • Service companies 
  • Manufacturers and wholesalers 
  • Hotels 

Create a Business Plan

One of the best ways to prepare for SBA financing is to develop a business plan. It helps prove you have the data, gameplan, and business skill to be worth the investment. Not sure where to begin? We'll walk you through it.

Get Started

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SBA Lending Team
Schwanda Flowers

Schwanda Flowers

Managing Director

Loan Officer

Phone: 501-672-5040
Message Schwanda

Dr. Schwanda Flowers is an accomplished pharmacist, entrepreneur, and educator with a passion for supporting the next generation of small business owners. With decades of experience as a pharmacy owner and academic leader, she has honed her expertise in business planning, leadership, and professional development, and she is committed to sharing her knowledge with future small business owners. As the co-creator of the Pharmacy Ownership and Leadership Academy (POLA), she is helping to prepare the next generation of pharmacists for success in ownership. Outside of work, Schwanda enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time outdoors with her family.

Bo Garmon

Bo Garmon

Loan Officer

479-856-3001
Message Bo

The entrepreneurial spirit burns bright in the clients Bo guides through the intricacies of the process to pharmacy ownership. With his 20 years of experience in retail and commercial banking, clients gain a seasoned advisor who is instrumental in helping them achieve their goals.

Bo joined First Financial Bank’s client-focused pharmacy loan team in 2012 to specialize in helping those who are looking to acquire or build a pharmacy.

However, the relationship only builds from there. Bo enjoys building relationships with clients during the process and stays in touch with clients after closing.

Outside of work, you can find Bo and his high energy family engaged in variety of activities, including travel and golf.

Bobby Glaze, Pharm.D.

Bobby Glaze, Pharm.D.

Loan Officer

870-315-0301
Message Bobby

Before joining our lending team, Dr. Bobby Glaze was an independent pharmacy manager and community pharmacist. He understands the day-to-day aspects of running a pharmacy and business. Bobby enjoys learning the story behind his client's pursuit of pharmacy ownership and the store they are purchasing. His experience as a pharmacist will benefit his clients in becoming successful pharmacy owners. Outside of being a loan officer, he owns a small business and loves spending time with his wife and their three pets.

Ashlee Moore

Ashlee Moore

Loan Officer

Phone: 724-681-0952
Message Ashlee

With over a decade of experience in growing successful start-ups, Ashlee knows what it takes to build a successful business from the ground up.  Her passion for entrepreneurship and seeing the dreams of a business owner come to fruition is the driving force behind her work funding small business ownership.

Through her work as a Sales and Business Development professional, Ashlee has been an integral part of the success and growth of businesses in the health, wellness, and pet care space.  She has worked with pet care businesses across the country, is passionate about their results, and knows what it takes to stand out in this very competitive field.  Before joining the First Financial team, she worked with various small businesses as the creator of launch and expansion strategies that have achieved exponential growth.  She holds a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Penn State, and has leveraged her knowledge and expertise to ensure the goals of small business owners are achieved.  

Outside of work, Ashlee is passionate about animal welfare, and volunteers weekly at a local animal shelter.  She is a lifelong athlete and martial artist, and loves participating in outdoor activities with her husband, children, and dogs.  When there is down time, she enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family.