Community First Bank Named Indiana Small Business Lender of the Year

January 2, 2023 – Community First Bank of Indiana is Indiana’s Small Business Lender of the Year for 2022. The annual award is given by Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corporation (ISCDC), which works with local lenders to provide financing from the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loan program. The SBA 504 loans help owners of expanding or startup small businesses buy real estate, buildings, and equipment. The main feature of the 504 loan program is that it allows borrowers to pay a below-market down payment and repay the loan with a fixed low interest rate over a long term.

Community First Bank is headquartered in Kokomo and also has 5 locations in Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. The commercial loan officers providing the winning loans were Duane Kamminga, Jonathon Malin, and Greg Gordon.

“We were honored to receive this recognition from the ISCDC. From the day Community First was founded almost 20 years ago, one of our primary missions has been meeting the borrowing needs of small businesses throughout our market. The SBA 504 program and our partnership with the ISCDC is a great tool for helping businesses to expand and grow successfully,” said Bob Hickman, Chief Credit Officer.

The winner of the Small Business Lender of the Year Award is the institution that generates the largest volume of loans with the Indiana Statewide CDC as a percentage of bank deposits. Loans made by the end of the Fiscal Year, September 30, qualify for this annual award. Twenty-eight financial institutions contended for this year’s award. Community First Bank was announced the winner of the Fiscal 2022 Lender of the Year award at Indiana Statewide CDC’s annual meeting.

Community First Bank’s (from left) Bob Hickman, Pete Needler, Jeff Magginnis, Greg Gordon, Scott Hammersley, Adam Pleva, and Duane Kamminga accept award from Indiana Statewide CDC’s Jean Wojtowicz.
Community First Bank’s (from left) Bob Hickman, Pete Needler, Jeff Magginnis, Greg Gordon, Scott Hammersley, Adam Pleva, and Duane Kamminga accept award from Indiana Statewide CDC’s Jean Wojtowicz.

About the bank: Community First Bank (CFB) was chartered in 2003 in Kokomo, Indiana and is committed to keeping outstanding customer service, local decision-making, and relationship-building at its core. The locally owned and operated bank currently has branches in Indianapolis, Kokomo, Westfield, and Noblesville. CFB has been named as one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana for 8 consecutive years by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Additional information can be found at www.CFBIndiana.com. MEMBER FDIC, Equal Housing Lender