May Spotlight, Catherine Lyons

"Twenty years ago we were a band of lenders out to save the Agency. The SBA program was the lifeline to the non-bank lenders. So it was very important for us to maintain the program. Ten of us put up $2,000 apiece and marched off to Washington to fight for our cause. We were naïve, but we learned quickly. We made many friends over that year and were recognized as fighters."

This is how founding member Catherine Lyons of Heritage Bank of Commerce in San Jose, CA remembers NAGGL. A very small group of lenders out to set the industry on fire and establish SBA lending as a viable alternative for lenders nationwide.

"What we really accomplished, and I think NAGGL's greatest, was getting the word out that the SBA program was a great tool for lenders of all kinds to benefit their clients," said Lyons. "Prior to the eighties, many lenders thought of the program as 'loans of last resort,' too complicated, too much paperwork…but that was all," Lyons said. "We brought it to the forefront and lenders from around the country sat up and took notice as to what you could really do with this program."

"I love this industry and love what I do. I will continue to do it as long as I can," said Lyons. "Many of the persons I have made loans to have become personal friends."