For the 13th year, 1st Source Bank earned gold from the U.S. Small Business Administration for its community banking efforts.
The award honors banks with headquarters in Indiana and less than $10 billion in assets. 1st Source made the most SBA loans in Indiana in 2025. The bank is a preferred SBA lender.
“Earning this award year after year reflects 1st Source Bank’s longstanding commitment to supporting small businesses in our communities,” said Ryan Bell, manager of small business banking at 1st Source Bank, in a press release. “Our incredible team continues to live out our mission of helping our clients achieve security, build wealth, and realize their dreams.”
National Small Business Week will be celebrated May 3 through 9.
“The Indiana District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration is proud to award 1st Source Bank with its annual Community Lender – Gold Award for Fiscal Year 2025, an award that 1st Source has won every year since its inception,” said Stacey Poynter, Indiana district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration. “This award solidifies the commitment this bank makes every year to the small businesses in the communities that they serve.”
Other banks that serve Michiana who received awards include First Merchants Bank with silver; and Centier Bank with bronze for their small business efforts in 2025.
“SBA guaranteed loan programs would not be possible without our lending partners,” Poynter said. “We value these relationships because these lenders work hard to provide Indiana small businesses with critical access to capital to grow their businesses. It is an honor to honor them for their achievements.”
The SBA also shared fiscal year 2025 numbers for its traditional 7(a) and 504 loan programs. Combined, the SBA approved 1,366 loans, which provided $695 million directly to entrepreneurs in the state.
The SBA also awarded 152 microloans less than $50,000 through state lending partners. Indiana's Bankable was the SBA's mission lender. The microloan program provided $4.7 million in funding.
Indiana Statewide Certified Development Corp. was the SBA's 504 CDC lender leader.
Increases in the 504 and microloan program signal good things to come, Poynter said.
“SBA-guaranteed loan programs can be an excellent option for entrepreneurs, and SBA Microloans – which can be up to $50,000 – are a great way to start small, build credit and scale growth because they include a free small business financial counseling component,” Poynter said.
The SBA Indiana district office honored the lenders Feb. 24 at the annual SBA Indiana Lender Awards at the Indiana Small Business Lenders Symposium.
