Avidbank Announces Launch of SBA Lending Division

Rhea-AI Summary

Avidbank Holdings (NASDAQ: AVBH) announced the launch of a new Small Business Administration (SBA) Lending division to expand its commercial banking offerings for small and mid-sized businesses. The division will provide government-guaranteed financing for growth, acquisitions, working capital, equipment, real estate, and other eligible needs.

The SBA Lending division is led by Brian Harper/b, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of SBA Lending, who has 34 years of banking experience, including 23 years in SBA lending. The leadership team also includes for SBA business development, Jennifer Zambrano for credit and underwriting, and Karen Campbell for documentation, closing, and servicing. According to Avidbank, this initiative strengthens its specialty lending capabilities and complements its existing commercial banking, treasury management, and specialty deposit services.

News Market Reaction – AVBH

-0.56%

-0.56% Session close to close

In the Jul 14 session, AVBH declined 0.56%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

Placed against AVBH’s history of mixed reactions to upbeat news and its relatively low short positio...

Analysis

Placed against AVBH’s history of mixed reactions to upbeat news and its relatively low short positioning, the SBA division launch adds another growth initiative without an obvious positioning overhang. Investors may watch upcoming earnings for how quickly this platform contributes to loan growth and fee income.

Key Figures

Banking experience: 34 years SBA lending experience: 23 years Government lending experience: more than 20 years +1 more

4 metrics

Banking experience 34 years Brian Harper’s total banking experience

SBA lending experience 23 years Brian Harper’s experience in SBA lending

Government lending experience more than 20 years Thomas Rockwood’s SBA and commercial lending experience

Servicing experience more than 30 years Karen Campbell’s loan servicing experience

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jul 06 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jul 06	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-0.6%	Scheduled Q2 2026 earnings release and follow-up conference call announcement.
May 29	Strategic hires	Positive	+0.0%	New senior hires to support growth in Corporate Banking and Venture Lending.
Apr 27	Q1 2026 earnings	Positive	-0.0%	Reported higher Q1 2026 net income and improved key banking metrics.
Apr 03	Earnings date notice	Neutral	+0.2%	Announced date and access details for Q1 2026 earnings release and call.
Mar 11	Board appointment	Positive	-1.8%	Added experienced corporate finance executive Keith Jensen to Board of Directors.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive strategic and governance announcements have often seen flat-to-negative next-day price reactions for AVBH.

Key Terms

small business administration, treasury management, asset-based lending, government-guaranteed lending

4 terms

small business administration regulatory

"launch of its new Small Business Administration (SBA) Lending division"

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a U.S. government agency that supports small businesses by providing loans, grants, and resources to help them start, grow, and succeed. For investors, the SBA's programs can influence economic stability and small business performance, which in turn can impact overall market trends and local economies. Its role is to make it easier for small businesses to access financing and guidance, fostering entrepreneurship and job creation.

treasury management financial

"existing commercial banking, treasury management, and specialty deposit offerings"

Treasury management is a company's day‑to‑day handling of cash, short‑term investments, borrowing and financial risks to make sure bills are paid, excess cash is used wisely, and exposure to things like interest rates or foreign currencies is controlled. Think of it as running the company's checking account and emergency fund so operations keep flowing. For investors, strong treasury management signals that a company can meet obligations, fund growth without costly surprises, and protect value in changing markets.

asset-based lending financial

"structured finance, asset-based lending, sponsor finance, fund finance"

Asset-based lending is a type of loan where a borrower uses tangible assets — such as inventory, accounts receivable, equipment, or real estate — as collateral to secure credit. For investors, it matters because the quality and liquidity of the pledged assets affect the lender’s risk and the borrower’s borrowing capacity; like borrowing against items in a pawnshop, stronger assets generally mean safer loans and clearer recovery options if the borrower defaults.

government-guaranteed lending financial

"delivering government-guaranteed lending solutions to help business owners finance growth"

A loan or credit program where a government promises to cover part or all of lenders' losses if borrowers default. Think of it like a government co-signer that reduces the lender's risk, which encourages banks and other lenders to make more loans or offer better terms than they otherwise would. Investors watch these guarantees because they change the credit risk, potential losses, and lending activity that affect bank balance sheets, bond values, and broader economic credit availability.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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SAN JOSE, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2026 / Avidbank Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVBH), the holding company for Avidbank, a California state-chartered bank, is pleased to announce the launch of its new Small Business Administration (SBA) Lending division, to continue enhancing its commercial banking suite of products, services, and its commitment to serving small and mid-sized businesses with customized financing solutions.

The SBA Lending division is an experienced team of SBA professionals with deep expertise across business development, credit, operations, closing, and portfolio management. Brian Harper will lead the new division.

Brian Harper, Senior Vice President, Managing Director of SBA Lending, will head the new division drawing on 34 years in banking with 23 years in SBA lending. He has held senior SBA leadership roles at Cadence Bank, SouthState Bank, and Atlantic Capital Bank, with experience building and managing government-guaranteed lending platforms.

Thomas Rockwood, Senior Vice President, SBA Banker, will focus on SBA business development and client relationship management. His government lending career began in 2003, and he brings more than 20 years of experience originating SBA and commercial loans, including prior leadership roles at SouthState Bank and several Georgia-based banking institutions.

Jennifer Zambrano, Vice President, Senior Credit Manager, will support the division's credit discipline and underwriting standards. She has specialized in SBA credit and underwriting since 2014, with broader commercial lending experience including recent SBA underwriting leadership at SouthState Bank.

Karen Campbell, Assistant Vice President, SBA Lending Documentation and Closing Officer, will support SBA documentation, closing, and servicing activities. Her servicing experience spans more than 30 years, with a focus on accurate processing, operational consistency, and support throughout the loan lifecycle.

In his role leading the SBA Lending division, Brian Harper will report to Arthur Wasson, Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer. The division will focus on delivering government-guaranteed lending solutions to help business owners finance growth, acquisitions, working capital, equipment, real estate, and other eligible business needs.

"The launch of SBA Lending represents an important expansion of Avidbank's commercial banking capabilities," said Mark D. Mordell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "With the combined experience of Brian and his team, we are well positioned to support small businesses with flexible capital solutions and the responsive, relationship-driven service that defines Avidbank."

"Avidbank's client-focused model, collaborative culture, and ability to move thoughtfully and efficiently create a strong foundation for building a differentiated SBA lending platform," said Brian Harper, Senior Vice President, Managing Director of SBA Lending. "We look forward to helping entrepreneurs and business owners access the capital they need to grow."

The new division reflects Avidbank's commitment to expanding its specialty lending capabilities and delivering relationship-driven financing solutions to businesses. By adding SBA Lending to its existing commercial banking, treasury management, and specialty deposit offerings, Avidbank further strengthens the comprehensive financial support it provides to clients pursuing growth and expansion.

About Avidbank Holdings

Avidbank Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVBH), headquartered in San Jose, California, offers innovative financial solutions and services. We specialize in commercial & industrial lending, venture lending, structured finance, asset-based lending, sponsor finance, fund finance, and real estate construction and commercial real estate lending. Avidbank provides a different approach to banking. We do what we say.

Contact: Patrick Oakes
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
408-200-7390
IR@avidbank.com

SOURCE: Avidbank Holdings, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What did Avidbank (NASDAQ: AVBH) announce on July 14, 2026 regarding SBA lending?

Avidbank announced the launch of a dedicated SBA Lending division to expand government-guaranteed financing for small and mid-sized businesses. According to Avidbank, the new unit complements its commercial banking, treasury management, and specialty deposit offerings to support clients’ growth and expansion plans.

Who is leading Avidbank’s new SBA Lending division and what is his experience?

Avidbank’s SBA Lending division is led by Brian Harper, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of SBA Lending. According to Avidbank, he brings 34 years of banking experience, including 23 years in SBA lending and prior senior SBA leadership roles at multiple banks.

What services will Avidbank’s SBA Lending division offer to small businesses (AVBH)?

Avidbank’s SBA Lending division will focus on government-guaranteed loans for growth, acquisitions, working capital, equipment, real estate, and other eligible uses. According to Avidbank, the division aims to provide customized, relationship-driven financing solutions for small and mid-sized business clients.

How does the new SBA Lending division fit into Avidbank’s overall strategy?

The SBA Lending division is intended to expand Avidbank’s specialty lending capabilities and strengthen its commercial banking platform. According to Avidbank, adding SBA Lending enhances its ability to deliver comprehensive, relationship-driven financial support alongside existing lending, treasury management, and specialty deposit services.

Which key executives are part of Avidbank’s SBA Lending leadership team?

The SBA Lending leadership team includes Brian Harper, Thomas Rockwood, Jennifer Zambrano, and Karen Campbell. According to Avidbank, they cover SBA business development, client relationships, credit and underwriting, and documentation, closing, and servicing functions, bringing decades of SBA and commercial lending experience.

What types of businesses can benefit from Avidbank’s new SBA Lending division (AVBH)?

Small and mid-sized businesses seeking government-guaranteed financing for growth and operational needs can benefit from the division. According to Avidbank, eligible uses include funding acquisitions, working capital, equipment purchases, real estate, and other qualified business purposes under SBA lending programs.