Oconomowoc-based First Bank Financial Centre plans to open an SBA lending office in downtown Milwaukee this spring.
The bank has leased its first Milwaukee County location, a 1,684-square-foot space at 400 E. Wisconsin Ave., from Curry-Pierce Limited Partnership. Tim Janusz, Kevin Schmoldt and Nathan Smith of NAI MLG Commercial handled the transaction.
First Bank’s downtown office will provide a convenient location for Milwaukee businesses seeking an SBA lending resource, the bank said. First Bank Financial Centre is the top SBA lender in Wisconsin, providing a total of $75 million in SBA financing through 239 loans in 2014.
“SBA lending is a strength of our organization, and we’re proud to bring this financing option to area businesses,” said Mark Mohr, president and chief executive officer of First Bank Financial Centre. “We work hard to lend to local small businesses, as we consider them to be the backbone of our economy. These customers appreciate our quick turnaround and local decision making, allowing them to concentrate on their businesses. We take great pride in being a small part of their success.”
First Bank has opened six new branches in the past three years. The community bank recently completed a 25,000-square-foot addition to its Oconomowoc headquarters.
“It’s an exciting time for us,” Mohr said. “We strive to contribute to the vitality of the communities we serve. Our customers have responded favorably to our approach and our growth is a reflection of that.”
Mark McCune, executive vice president and chief lending officer, will spend part of his time at the new office, which will also staff a commercial lender, a mortgage lender and a retail banker. The retail banker will primarily support the commercial lenders, offering deposit services for business customers.
First Bank Financial Centre has 12 full-service branches and two loan offices in Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington and Dane counties. It has about 250 employees.
