This week on The Art of SBA Lending, I sit down with the incredible Alan Peterson, BDO from First Internet Bank. Alan isn't just closing deals; he's redefining what it means to be a top producer in SBA lending, reaching over $30 million year-to-date and tracking towards an astonishing $120 million annually!

Ray Drew and Alan dive deep into the mindset of a high-volume BDO, the strategic art of saying "no" to grow faster, and why true business value isn't always what it seems. They discuss navigating the complexities of deals, the crucial role of data and innovation in banking, and why being a trusted advisor is paramount.

🎯 In this episode:

• The Power of "No": How strategic selectivity leads to massive growth.

• MBA vs. Blue Collar: Understanding true business ownership and cash flow beyond the books.

• The Innovation Imperative: Why banks embracing data (like Lumos) are set to dominate the future of lending.

• Beyond the Brokers: Why sourcing 85% of your own deals makes you a more objective and effective advisor.

• Sleep Well Deals: The difference between simply buying a business and buying one you can actually sleep on.

• The Evolution of a Lender: How perspective and gratitude reshape your approach to the "hard" parts of the job.

💬 What are your thoughts on growing by saying "no" more often? Share your take in the comments!

🎙 This episode is sponsored by:

Lumos

Lumos empowers your small business lending growth with cutting-edge analytics and streamlined applications that optimize your performance.

If you're ready to take your small business lending to the next level with cutting edge analytics visit https://lumosdata.com/

Shatterbox

Learn how Shatterbox can help you hire and invest in bright young talent without breaking the bank. Go to https://shatterbox.io/artofsba and set up a discovery call today.

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