Southwestern Business Financing Corporation (SBFC) – Arizona’s leading SBA 504 lender –  announced that the Board has appointed Teresa Mandelin as President and CEO of SBFC.

Mandelin has more than 20 years of banking experience, having specialized in SBA lending since 1992. For the past 10 years as SBFC’s SVP of Commercial Loans, she has enriched the organization’s sales team and has established instrumental client relationships. A recipient of the esteemed Financial Services Champion award from the SBA, Teresa is a well-respected frontrunner in the industry.

“This transition comes at a fundamental juncture of a changing market; we are planning for what is to come 10 years from now,” said Teresa Mandelin, President and CEO of SBFC. “With anticipation for economic growth, I look forward to guiding SBFC to focus more energy into driving the market, instead of just participating in it. The primary goal of SBFC remains the same: growing the best businesses in Arizona by providing access to long-term, fixed-rate financing under the SBA 504 loan program.”

The transition comes as a result of Bob McGee’s stepping down from the leadership role. McGee served as President and CEO of SBFC for 19 years. After more than 40 years of service in the banking and finance industry, he will be focusing on spending more time with his family. McGee will remain part of SBFC as Senior Advisor on a part-time basis, and will continue cultivating banking relationships.