BRENDA BOWERS
RESUME
SUMMARY
Twenty eight years commercial banking experience in the Central Florida Market. Major
strengths in commercial lending, specializing in SBA loans for over 17 years. A
dependable and sales oriented lender / sales leader, with strong business development and
credit underwriting skills as well as SBA Industry knowledge.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
February 23, 2004 to Present POPULAR SMALL BUSINESS CAPITAL
( a division of Banco Popular North America)
Vice President / Southeast Regional Sales Manager
Sales Management Role for the Southeastern United States, with a prominent, preferred,
national SBA Lender. Responsibilities consist of management of 14 SBA Business
Development Officers located throughout the Southeast, providing a strong emphasis on
marketing, sales techniques and implementation of internal policies required to meet the
Bank’s National SBA initiative. Hired to assist with the Bank’s national expansion effort
as well as centralization of credit and closing functions. As of the third quarter ending
09/30/06, Popular Small Business Capital increased SBA loan production by 93% over
prior year third quarter ending 09/30/05. The Southeast Region contributed about 40% of
the company’s closed volume for this reporting period.
February 6, 2002 to February 22, 2004 CIT Small Business Lending, Livingston, NJ
Regional Account Manager
Recruited to increase SBA loan production in the Florida Market by CIT, the Nation’s
number one SBA lender. Position required strong marketing, business development ,
underwriting skills, as well as thorough knowledge of SBA products and procedures.
April 1, 1999 to Feb. 5, 2002 COMERICA BANK/SBA DIVISION, Orlando,Florida
Vice President/SBA Business Development Officer
Established a new SBA loan production office in the Central Florida Market for this
Premier SBA Lending Bank, which is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Primary
focus is business development in the Central Florida Market as well as the entire state of
Florida. Booked $7.2MM during the first 12 months of operations.
March 1997 to March 31, 1999 CITRUS BANK, Orlando, Florida
Vice President / SBA Lending Specialist
Returned to Orlando Market to establish an SBA Lending Department for this new
banking organization, where I was the sole SBA lender. Responsible for underwriting,
packaging, secondary market function as well as servicing of SBA loan portfolio. Within
the first full year of establishing the department, Citrus Bank was ranked #23 out of 86
lenders within the North Florida District and was the top performing Non PLP bank in
the district . Nominated by the North Florida District of the SBA for PLP status. Also
responsible for production and management of a conventional commercial loan portfolio.
May 1996 to March 1997
1st UNITED BANK, Merritt Island, Florida
Vice President / SBA Lending Specialist
Relocated from Orlando after being recruited to establish the generation and
administration of SBA loans throughout Brevard County. Responsibilities include SBA
loan production, deposit growth and provision of SBA support for Brevard County
commercial loan officers.
March 1992 to May 1996
AMSOUTH BANK OF FLORIDA, Orlando, Florida
formerly ORANGE BANK
Assistant Vice President / Business Banker/ SBA Loan Specialist
Established and organized a Small Business Administration Department where I was the
sole SBA Lender. Commercial lending duties typical to management of a commercial
loan portfolio consisting of 150 notes totaling approximately $20MM.
June 1990 to March 1992
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, Orlando, Florida
formerly SOUTHEAST BANK, N. A.
Assistant Vice President / Banking Center Manager / Area Commercial Loan
Coordinator
Assigned to manage and reorganize a banking center, which was previously cited for
extremely poor operational/auditing controls. Trained new lenders coming out of credit
training to manage commercial loan portfolios assigned to them. Reviewed commercial
loans housed at nineteen banking centers.
April 1987 to June 1990
Branch Manager
THE FIRST, F. A., Orlando, Florida
Reorganized and improved profitability of banking center that was the least profitable out
of twenty-six banking centers. In one year this branch was one of the top ten banking
centers. Job responsibilities included commercial lending, consumer lending, demand
deposit growth and business development.
July 1983 to April 1987
FLORIDA NATIONAL BANK, Orlando, Florida
Banking Officer / Assistant Branch Manager
Assisted with the merger associated with the purchase of Royal Trust Bank.
Responsibilities included Loan Officer, Operations Officer and Branch Supervisor.
February 1979 to June 1983 SUNBANK, N. A., Orlando, Florida
Commercial Loan Assistant
Prepared loan documentation, maintained documentation and credit files, cited asset
reports and other related clerical duties.
EDUCATION
Valencia Community College, Orlando, Florida
Maynard Evans High School, Orlando, Florida
American Institute of Banking (AIB) -
1977-1979
1975-1977
Principals of Banking
Installment Credit
Branch Management
Accounting I & II
In-House Courses -
Cohen Brown Sales Training
Omega-Understanding Business Cash Flow (RMA)
Omega-Commercial Loans to Business (RMA)
Sandler Sales Systems
Bill Bishop Sales Workshop
Deluxe-Training for Calling Officers
SBA Training -
SBA Lender Training Level I
SBA Lender Training Level II
Winning Approval of Small Business Loans
(Florida Bankers Association)
COMMUNITY/CIVIC ACTIVITIES
South West Florida Regional Development Corp. – Board of Directors / Loan Committee
The WMBE Alliance – Advisory Member / Loan Committee Member for Micro Loan
Program
Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce - Membership Committee
Ambassador
Small Business Industry Council
Kiwanis Club of Merritt Island -
Member May 1996 – March 1997
Central Brevard Sharing Center -
Director December 1996 – March 1997
Orange Bank’s Representative -
Orlando Minority Business Development
Center / Small Loan Program
Charter Secretary Kiwanis Club of LeeVista – Orlando, Fl. 1992-1996
American Business Women’s Association – National and Central Florida Chapter
Elected Treasurer, 1988-1989
Elected Vice President, 1989-1990
Elected Vice President, 1990-1991
Frequently invited to be key note speaker at SBA related functions in the Central
Florida Community including Trade Shows held at the Orlando Convention Center.
*References and Salary History available upon request*