SBA hands out top honors for 2012

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that KeyBank leads the nation in number and amount of small business loans handed out to owners within the last year. The SBA also gave praise to those involved in the small business movement.

Last year KeyBank was responsible for expanding its SBA loan programs by more than 30 percent and increasing the overall dollar amount given out by 90 percent. During fiscal year 2011, the company was the largest SBA loan vendor in the nation, so to speak. The SBA also gave praise to other financial institutions both large and small that led the way in giving out federally-backed loans. If you're looking for a small business loan right now and want to take advantage of KeyBank's favorable climate, try an online marketplace like Boefly help you reach other lenders on the SBA's top lender list.

There was also recent recognition awarded to individuals within the small business community who helped or pioneered growth in some way during the SBA's National Small Business Week celebration. Called 'The Phoenix Awards,' recipients stepped up during disasters and crises to assist other local SMB's in their area.

"These individuals displayed tremendous courage and resourcefulness in the midst of devastating disasters," said Kern Mills, SBA administrator, at the luncheon event in Washington, D.C. "The Phoenix Award acknowledges their heroic efforts, and is a token of appreciation for their contributions to the economic recovery of their communities."

The SBA identifies these leaders as a way of highlighting the best in small businesses, both with its lenders and the owners that use them. Actively using SBA loans not only for the good of an individual business but to benefit others in the area boosts the economy and turns ordinary owners into local leaders.