Live Oak Bank
Live Oak Bank’s seasoned SBA loan experts work with brokers, intermediaries, and individuals on business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and real estate purchases with flexible SBA lending options and an innovative technology platform. We specialize in acquisition financing across the nation and in most industries. If you have a project that exceeds the SBA 7(a) $5 million loan limit, our combination financing program is a creative solution.
We pair an SBA 7(a) loan ($5 million) with a conventional loan (amount based on need) and a line of credit, tailored to your business needs.
Live Oak Bank
1741 Tiburon Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 (offices in Charlotte)
Website
Mark A. Pompeo
Senior Vice President – Small Business Lending
Phone (cell/office)
E-Mail
Website
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PLG Law
PLG Law works with business brokers across the southeast, and we get deals closed. Partners Tad Cook and Lisa Crandall are seasoned legal M&A experts who know how to handle complex deals and find solutions to get to closing. We have a strong legal team that works together to provide the highest level of service to our clients while making sure to provide personal attention.
Charlotte
223 East Blvd Charlotte, NC 28203
Asheville
2A Herman Ave ext. Asheville, NC 28803
Tampa Bay
3684 Tampa Rd Suite 2 Oldsmar, FL 34677
Jacksonville 13475 Atlantic Blvd #8 Jacksonville, FL 32225
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Fidelity Bank
Fidelity Bank was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. They serve 54 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, and have approximately $4.3 billion in assets. For over 115 years, Fidelity Bank has remained independent, sound, and profitable, allowing them to build lifelong relationships that often span across generations. Fidelity Bank and its associates are dedicated to providing customers with exceptional customer service and personalized solutions to achieve their financial goals. They have a 5-star “Excellent Bank” rating from BauerFinancial and have also been ranked as a top-performing community bank for several years in a row.
Fidelity Bank’s SBA Lending division is a U.S. Small Business Administration Preferred Lender. Their team of national lenders has over 350 years of combined experience. Additional information can be found on the company’s website, Fidelity Bank – SBA Lending.
Michael Byers
Director of SBA Sales, SVP
Office
Cell
E-Mail
Website
LinkedIn
First National Bank
First National Bank Small Business Finance is an industry leader in SBA financing, lending in 31 states throughout the eastern, southeastern, and midwestern US. Our dedicated team of Business Development Officers and Operations Staff have many decades of experience in SBA Lending. First National Bank of Pennsylvania, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a 165-year-old bank with almost $50BB in assets, a strong balance sheet, and liquidity (NYSE: FNB). We’re growing, here to stay, making loans every day in all economic cycles.
We know the SBA process and rules inside and out, which enables us to customize every loan structure to fit the needs of our clients and get the deals done! FNB SBF is recognized as a Preferred Lender with SBA. We take the time to learn about both the business and the buyer to champion the deal from application to closing and beyond. FNB Small Business Finance specializes in Business Acquisitions and Partner Buyouts – including partial buyouts that are now SBA-eligible. Over 60% of all the loans we make are for these purposes. Our financial strength means we offer every borrower a variety of rate structures including Quarterly Variable, Three or Five-year Fixed, and even a Ten Year Fixed Rate for business acquisitions! Credit decisions normally in ten business days or less.
First National Bank
401S. Graham Street, Suite 1600, Charlotte, NC 28202
(offices also in Richmond, Raleigh, Atlanta, Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Boston, Ohio, Illinois, and Texas)
Mark Moreno
VP, Senior Business Development Officer
Office
Cell
E-Mail
Website
Chuck Riker
VP, Senior Business Development Officer
Cell
E-Mail
Website
Linkedin
Dennis Wagner
VP, Senior Business Development Officer
Cell
E-Mail
Website
Linkedin
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Deal Studio
Deal Studio is a comprehensive, all-in-one CRM and marketing platform designed specifically for business brokers. It streamlines every stage of the deal-making process by capturing leads, nurturing client relationships, and closing deals. The platform centralizes communication, automates routine tasks, and manages pipelines from start to finish.
Brokers can integrate emails, SMS, social media messages, web chats, appointments, NDAs, and more into a single system, allowing them to focus on closing deals rather than chasing after information. We can’t wait to show you what our platform can do for you!
Ron West
Owner and Team Leader
Phone
E-Mail
Website
Linkedin
Twitter
Facebook
Huntington Bank
Small business is leading the way across the country.
For years, small businesses have turned to Huntington—in good times and tough ones. Fifteen years ago, we were named #1 SBA Lender in our region† and we’re proud to have earned that title every year since. But as small businesses have grown, so have we. And we’re now the #1 Lender in the nation in number of SBA 7(a) loans † for the sixth year in a row. But what really makes us happy is helping people start and grow their businesses. Our commitment to business isn’t just about the past. We are excited about the future and how we can continue to help businesses everywhere grow.
Jordan Landon
Senior Vice President – SBA Expansion Market Manager
Phone (Cell)
Email
Anthony Velez
VP – SBA Senior Business Development Officer
Phone (Cell)
Email
Desmond Thompson
VP – SBA Senior Business Development Officer
Phone (Cell)
Email
Silver Sponsors
Bank of Oak Ridge
Established in 2000, Bank of Oak Ridge is an employee-owned community bank dedicated to delivering Spectacularly Local banking. We help premier businesses, and their owners, succeed by providing real estate and equipment financing, working capital, merger and acquisition financing, as well as cash management solutions. We are also proud to offer SBA loan options and to have been ranked #4 out of 106 SBA 7a lenders in SBA’s North Carolina District office based on total year to-date loan approvals through July 21, 2023. Whether you want to start a business, need cash flow, or are positioning your business for growth, our local decision makers can provide you with a personalized approach to financing.
Andrew Wheeler
Senior Vice President, Director of SBA Lending
Cell
Email
BizBuySell
BizBuySell is the Internet’s largest and most heavily trafficked business-for-sale marketplace, with more business-for-sale listings, more unique users, and more search activity than any similar service. We have an inventory of over 65,000 businesses for sale, one of the largest databases of for-sale and sold comparables, as well as a leading franchise directory.
Market your listings on BizBuySell for instant exposure across our entire network of sites: BizBuySell and BizQuest, the #1 and #2 business for sale marketplaces, LoopNet, the #1 commercial real estate marketplace, and our national media partners. BizBuySell is a division of the CoStar Group, a leading provider of commercial and residential real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces. Please reach out to Madison Kopecky, your account manager who can assist you with lead generation.
Madison Kopecky
Account Representative, Broker Accounts
901 Semmes Avenue
Richmond, VA 23224
Community Bank & Trust
Community Bank & Trust is a community-focused bank and a leading SBA lender, uniquely positioned to meet the needs of small business owners by partnering with the business broker community through our specialized SBA 7(a) and USDA loan programs
Stephanie Dunn
EVP, Chief SBA Revenue Officer
Email
Phone
Shane Pierson
SVP, SBA National Sales Manager
Email
Phone
Cool Life
Cool Life provides cutting-edge CRM and Virtual Data Room (VDR) solutions designed to streamline business operations through a comprehensive suite of tools that enhance data security. Specializing in M&A, business brokers, and other industries, Cool Life empowers companies with seamless data management, secure file sharing, communication and marketing tools, and advanced customer relationship capabilities. Known for its reliability and user-friendly interface, Cool Life is dedicated to helping organizations thrive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
Dogwood State Bank Small Business Lending
Dogwood State Bank Small Business Lending, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, provides sound financing solutions to small businesses across the nation. Our leading SBA team has decades of combined SBA experience that they use to meet various business needs such as business acquisitions, expansions, commercial real estate ventures, and much more.
We offer a comprehensive suite of SBA products, including the SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans to help small business owners in a variety of industries achieve the financing necessary to bring their dreams to life. With a commitment to personalized service and tailored lending solutions, Dogwood State Bank Small Business Lending empowers small businesses to thrive and make their entrepreneurial goals a reality.
Scott Birkner
VP, Business Lending Specialist
Phone
Email
LinkedIn
Website
Dogwood State Bank
5401 Six Forks Road, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27609
GBank
GBank (the “Bank”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of GBank Financial Holdings Inc., a bank holding company. Founded in 2007, the Bank operates two full-service commercial branches in Las Vegas, Nevada, with primary lending activities focused on engaging clients in Nevada, California, Utah, and Arizona. GBank has key businesses in three prominent divisions: SBA Lending, Gaming FinTech, and Commercial Lending. The Bank conducts business nationally through its SBA lending activities (ranked 10th in the nation by the U.S. Small Business Administration for SBA 7(a) dollar loan volume through August 29, 2024) and its BankCard Services, LLC (“BCS”) partnership. Launched in 2016, its Gaming FinTech Division, through its contract with BCS, is empowering Sightline Payments Play+ Solution (Sightline Payments) for seamless and secure pay-and-play that is enabling cashless, mobile commerce solutions for gaming, lottery, and sports betting ecosystems – positioning the Bank as a financial leader in this new payments world. The Bank also provides general commercial banking services emphasizing serving the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, professionals, and investors. The Bank offers a full complement of consumer deposit products and is focused on delivering a premium level of service. GBank has been recognized every year for the past six years by S&P Capital IQ in its Top 100 Best-Performing Community Banks. For more information about GBank, please visit its website at www.g.bank. The Company’s Common Stock is quoted on the US OTCQX Market under the symbol GBFH.
Robert Wardell
VP/Business Development Officer (Based in Charlotte NC)
Gulf Coast Small Business Lending
Gulf Coast Small Business Lending is a nationwide, direct SBA Preferred Lender providing great terms and competitive rates to borrowers across a wide range of industries. Our experienced team specializes in business acquisition transactions and is available to help structure and prequalify businesses and buyers. Of note, we will consider financing for large goodwill transactions when combined with good personal credit, relevant industry experience, and excellent cash flow. Our common-sense underwriting focuses primarily on historical and projected cash flow. Ask about our tiered referral fee program that has no annual reset. We are finding a way to say YES!
Jim Frey, MBA
SVP, Business Development Officer
Email
Phone – Office
Phone – Mobile
Griffin Laughridge
VP, Business Development Officer
Email
Phone – Office
Phone – Mobile
Hopler Hanna
Peter Hanna is a Managing Partner with Hopler Hanna, a Corporate, Estate Litigation, and Estate Planning law firm, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. The Corporate Division of the Firm works with main street businesses to provide corporate, transactional, and employment counsel. With almost two decades of experience, Peter has served clients in the mergers and acquisitions field in a wide array of industries.
Peter Hanna
Managing Partner
Hopler Hanna – Attorneys & Counselors at Law
2314 South Miami Blvd, Ste 151
Durham, NC 27703
Northwest Bank
Northwest Bank is here for what’s next in small business banking. Founded in 1896, Northwest’s rich history of community-focused banking and our hands-on approach and expertise mean we can move fast to meet your clients’ needs. From treasury management to investment strategies to managing deposits, we are in the business of growing business. Visit Northwest.com to start a partnership today.
Alex Finnican
Senior SBA Development Officer
Roxbury Wealth Advisors of Raymond James
Your Partner in Transformation
At Roxbury Wealth Advisors of Raymond James, we specialize in guiding middle-market and lower middle-market business owners through the emotional and financial complexities of exiting their businesses. We understand the weight of this moment—selling your life’s work is more than a transaction; it’s a legacy-defining milestone. With our seasoned team and the robust resources of Raymond James, we’re here to help ensure your next chapter is as remarkable as the one you’ve built.
Randall F. Watsek III, CFA®, CFP®, CEPA®
Financial Advisor
Phone
Text Messages
Email
Website
Raymond James Branch 3DG
341 Route 202, Suite 1A
Somers, NY 10589
SouthState Bank
SouthState Corporation (NASDAQ: SSB) is a financial services company headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida. SouthState Bank, N.A., the company’s nationally chartered bank subsidiary, provides consumer, commercial, mortgage, and wealth management solutions to more than one million customers throughout Florida, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Texas, and Colorado. The bank also serves clients coast to coast through its specialty banking services, including SBA lending, payments technology, private capital solutions, franchise finance, and correspondent banking divisions.
SouthState Bank proudly offers specialized lending programs through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small business owners achieve their goals. SouthState is one of the leading regional banks in the southeast. With a national charter and Preferred Lender status, our seasoned in-house team is solely focused on providing SBA financing to entrepreneurs across the country. To learn more, visit our website.
Chet Schultz
Vice President, SBA Relationship Manager
901 E. Cary Street, Suite 201
Richmond, VA 23219
Cell
Email
Website
Ellie McIntire
FVP, SBA Relationship Manager
Charlotte, NC
Cell
Email
Website
Laura Kepley
FVP, SBA Relationship Manager
North Carolina
Cell
Email
Website
Summit OS®: A Strategic System for Growth
Summit OS helps leadership teams cut through complexity and scale with confidence. Our tailored, multi-year approach is designed to 3x businesses in three years by combining team empowerment, strategy, and disciplined execution. A key feature is our 45-day Execution Momentum™ playbook, which gets teams focused, aligned, and moving forward quickly.
A Complete Guide Community
Certified Summit OS Guides™ receive a ready-to-use coaching business in a box—strategic tools, proven playbooks, robust tech support, and the backing of a strong peer community. Together, we’re building a network of leaders helping leaders, creating long-term impact for companies, and rewarding careers for Guides.
Truliant SBA Lending
Truliant is a preferred SBA 7(a) lender offering business acquisition financing up to $5,000,000 nationwide. Our dedicated team of specialists help brokers get transactions to the closing table, without all the drama. Truliant Federal Credit Union is a $5.5 billion institution based in Winston-Salem, NC with SBA team members throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Truliant SBA Lending
3200 Truliant Way
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Scott Jones
SBA Business Development Officer
Vertical IQ
Vertical IQ is the leading provider of economic and Industry Intelligence, covering 100% of the industries that comprise the U.S. economy plus Canada, through more than 1,600 Industry Profiles and 3,400 local economic reports. Vertical IQ equips business brokers with timely and reliable industry data so you can spend more time connecting with clients, hedging against industry risks, and capitalizing on opportunities. Boost productivity, enhance client trust, and stand out in a competitive market with on-demand industry expertise.
To learn more, visit VerticalIQ.com.
Paul Hock
VP, Sales & Strategic Partnerships
Email
Jacob Dougherty
Sales Development Representative
Phone
Email
Conference Bag Sponsor
Van Daughtry Consulting, LLC is a boutique business brokerage firm located in Raleigh, NC. Members of our team have experience in mergers and acquisitions and have been business owners themselves Our focus is on representing family-owned businesses for sale with annual revenues between $1-25 million dollars and the majority of our clients are geographically located in the Mid-Atlantic states.
We closely work with our clients to find the best outcome for them by using a very holistic approach. This approach includes finding out what the owner’s true objectives are besides the sale of the business itself. In addition, the valuation work we do for the business establishes a benchmark value based on comparable sales of other companies like our client’s business. This fair market value sets a reasonable expectation of what a willing and able buyer will pay for the business and what a bank will use to make its lending decisions.
Van Daughtry Consulting invites business owners to speak with members of our team well before they are actually ready to sell their business. Planning is a key element to a successful sale of any business, so contact us today!
Van Daughtry Consulting, LLC
Business & Commercial Real Estate Brokerage
7474 Creedmoor Rd., Suite 280
Raleigh, NC 27613
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Business Value Strategies
Business Value Strategies (BVS) was started with the goal of helping referral partners assist business owners to identify and eliminate any challenges that are preventing them from receiving maximum business value.
BVS’s primary goals are to help referral partners by offering third-party business valuations.
Why do Business Brokers benefit from third-party business valuations?
In essence, a third-party valuation is a valuable tool for Business Brokers.
- Helps them manage seller expectations.
- Expedites the sales process.
- Adds credibility to the asking price.
- Identifies issues that might hinder the sale.
Ultimately, it will help achieve a successful sale for their clients.
Business Value Strategies
120 Saint Albans Drive, Suite 469
Raleigh, NC 27609
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T Bank
We are a national lender for over 15 years. As one of the top SBA lenders at T Bank, I am committed to providing flexible lending solutions, and I want to remind you that I approach every potential new transaction based on its own merits, not limited by industry.
48-hour pre-qualification letters
Direct line to credit—no hand-offs
Close within 45 days on clean files
Business acquisitions
Projection-based projections
Ground-up construction projections
Start-ups
Expertise in both 7(a) and 504 loan programs
Rod Rodriguez, EVP National Lending