Lakeland, Fla. (March 16, 2021)—Bank of Central Florida, headquartered in Lakeland, Florida, welcomes J. Kevin Riffey as Executive Vice President and Small Business Administration Executive.
As part of their recent expansion efforts, Bank of Central Florida identified the need for an SBA 7(a) lending program to serve a gap that has become more evident with the impact of COVID- 19. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank has experienced an influx of PPP loans through the Cares Act and provided SBA loans to clients for whom it may be a better solution. Kevin will lead the effort to develop this new program and help local businesses across Central Florida.
“We are excited to have talent such as Kevin’s in developing a program that helps businesses grow through SBA loans,” says Paul Noris, CEO and Chairman of the Board. “Being able to provide businesses an SBA loan option will add more value in ways we can serve businesses in our local communities.”
Kevin brings 26 years of commercial banking experience to his new position. He began his career in 1995 in the Management Association Program at AmSouth Bank (now Regions). Once he completed the program, he worked in middle-market commercial lending. In 1998, he joined GE Capital where he got his start in SBA lending. Most recently, he was responsible for developing an SBA 7(a) lending platform at a large community bank.
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“SBA lending is a vital source of funding for small businesses. Bank of Central Florida’s culture is dedicated to the local small business community and focuses on serving the client. If a conventional loan is not the best option for the client, then an SBA loan may be another way to help their business succeed,” Kevin Riffey shares.
The Bank of Central Florida looks forward to working with Kevin to grow the SBA loan program and help more community businesses in our service area.
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About Bank of Central Florida
Founded in 2007, Bank of Central Florida was chartered to serve the financial needs of the local marketplace. The bank is guided by a local board of directors with vast knowledge of the local business climate and driven by their vision for a financial services institution focused on client service. This approach has enabled the bank to bring financial solutions with an entrepreneurial mindset for growth to its clients. Bank of Central Florida is headquartered in South Lakeland, with offices in South Lakeland, downtown Lakeland, Winter Haven, Orlando, and Plant City. For more information about Bank of Central Florida, visit www.bankofcentralflorida.com. Member FDIC.