Years-old lending pickle helped guide SBA policy shift

Published November 2, 2026 5:50 PM EST Updated November 2, 2026 7:08 PM EST 5 Min Read

Adobe StockSBA's Director of Financial Assistance Dan Pische and Bank of America executive Tim Little appeared at American Banker's Small Business Banking conference in Chicago last week.

Key takeaway: The higher relationship-wide limit reflects a desire to help small businesses entering the lower-middle-market space.
Expert quote: “It’s an opportunity for our clients to continue to grow, and [to] look at larger clients in this space.” — Timothy Little, Midwest region executive at Bank of America

Dan Pische, director of the Small Business Administration’s Office of Financial Assistance, served as a lender for the $8.6 billion-asset First American Bank in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, before going to work for the government in 2021.

John Reosti

Reporter

John Reosti is a reporter covering community banks in particular and the financial services industry in general. He also focuses on the Small Business Administration, the National Credit Union … Read full bio

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Small Business Banking Conference Law and regulation

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