Byline Bank Highlights Small Business Borrowers During National Small Business Week
30 April 2024 - 6:00AM
Byline Bank, the #1 SBA lender in Illinois and a top 5 SBA lender
nationwide for fiscal year 2023, is joining the U.S. Small Business
Administration in celebration of Small Business Week (April 28-May
4, 2024) by recognizing entrepreneurial borrowers who have
fulfilled their aspirations of small business ownership thanks to
tailored financing solutions from Byline.
Every weekday between April 29 and May 3, Byline Bank will
highlight a small business owner—both in Chicagoland and around the
country—who has found unparalleled support in their journey to
launch and grow their business from Byline Bank financing and
business counseling.
As a financing partner, Byline’s commitment to empowering small
businesses has been pivotal in transforming good ideas into
thriving companies able to positively impact their communities. The
five businesses featured in this campaign serve as a testament to
the resilience of small business owners and the crucial role that
supportive financial partnerships can play in fostering
entrepreneurship.
The customers profiled represent the diverse pathways owners
take to fulfill their small-business dreams:
- Building a minority-owned
business: Charles Nkuku, owner of Lehman Midtown True Value
Hardware in Chicago (IL): Charles Nkuku started working as
a clerk at Midtown Hardware as a college student, bought the store
shortly after he graduated, and 35 years later he’s still the proud
owner of Lehman Midtown True Value Hardware. A longtime Byline
business banking customer, Charles was recently able to take out a
line of credit that allowed him to purchase necessary products for
the store and better adapt to market changes and seasonal
demands.
- Building a veteran-owned business: Nick Plummer, owner
of Casa de Corazón daycare in Shorewood and Milwaukee
(WI): Inspired by his experiences abroad and driven by a
passion for providing exceptional childcare, Air Force veteran Nick
Plummer wanted to establish a Spanish-immersion childcare center
that aligned with his values. Byline Bank embraced Nick’s vision,
and their unwavering support enabled him to become a franchise
owner of Casa de Corazón, a childcare facility dedicated to
environmental consciousness, compassionate teaching and holistic
development.
- Building a family-owned business: Krista and Trevor
Davis, owners of Redbird Barricades in San Antonio (TX):
This married couple are the owners of Redbird Barricades, a private
traffic control business based in San Antonio, TX. Their journey to
business ownership shows what can happen when big dreams are
combined with a solid, consultative financial partnership. When the
opportunity arose for the couple to acquire Four J Traffic
Controls, a company Trevor helped manage for years, Byline Bank
stepped in to make the transition from employee to owner swift and
seamless.
- Building a trade into a business: Andrew Peontke, owner
of Estes Laser & Manufacturing in Schaumburg (IL):
Andrew Peontke moved up through the metal fabrication business and
didn’t initially see himself becoming a business owner, but a
partnership with Byline Bank empowered him to buy his manufacturing
business—and soon grow its annual revenue and employee count. By
providing key financing and ongoing business consultation, the
success of Estes Laser & Manufacturing exemplifies Byline's
unwavering dedication to its business customers.
- Building a business as a
young entrepreneur: Jorge Gonzalez, owner of Jus Studios in Chicago
(IL): This Chicago native has a passion for creativity and
a dedication to his craft that has propelled him into the big
leagues. Through Jorge’s vision, drive and the support of Byline
Bank, his apparel-printing company has blossomed from a one-man,
bedroom-based venture into a thriving operation in a
5,000-square-foot East Pilsen location with an ever-growing staff
and client list, including Nike and Adidas. From helping him to
secure critical financing to providing personalized guidance and
support, Byline Bank has been a crucial partner in the growth of
Jorge’s business.
“We are excited to honor the drive and innovation of small
business owners during National Small Business Week,” said
Stephen Ball, Senior Vice President and Head of Business
Banking at Byline Bank. “Our local business banking team
understands the community and the needs of small businesses in
Chicagoland. We are proud to have played a role in the ongoing
success of the amazing businesses highlighted, as well as all the
business customers we serve.”
“Byline’s national SBA lending team can help businesses find
customized financing solutions that meet their needs, whether
they’re growing a business, buying an existing business or just
starting out,” said Tom Abraham, President of Small
Business Capital at Byline Bank. “We are passionate about
helping small businesses through every stage of their journey, and
pride ourselves on our personalized approach and flexibility in the
loan structuring process. It is incredibly gratifying to see our
customers succeed, grow and flourish.”
For more information about how Byline Bank can make a real
difference for small businesses in need, visit our National Small
Business Week page for more on the businesses highlighted and
follow Byline Bank on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
About Byline Bancorp, Inc.Headquartered in
Chicago, Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BY) is the parent company of
Byline Bank, a full-service commercial bank serving small- and
medium-sized businesses, financial sponsors, and consumers. Byline
Bank has approximately $9.4 billion in assets and operates 48
branch locations throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan
areas. Byline Bank offers a broad range of commercial and community
banking products and services, including small-ticket equipment
leasing solutions, and is one of the top Small Business
Administration lenders in the United States, according to the
national SBA ranking by the U.S. Small Business Administration by
volume FY2023. Byline Bank is a member of FDIC and an Equal Housing
Lender. For more information, visit www.bylinebank.com.
Investors / Media Contact:Brooks RennieInvestor
Relations DirectorByline Bank(312)
660-5805brennie@bylinebank.com