Demystifying Lending for Small Businesses

Get the lowdown on small biz loans and how to score the cash you need to grow your hustle. Join ECDI and the Ohio SBDC at Miami University Regionals during for an in‑person workshop focused on helping small business owners understand how to get funding for their business. Regional experts will explain what banks and lenders look for, review different loan and funding options, and walk through how to tell if your business is ready to apply, with time to connect directly with financial institutions and ask questions. Event Highlights: • Understand what lenders look for when reviewing loan applications • Check whether your business is ready to apply for funding • Review different loan and financing options • Meet lenders and local business support organizations • Ask questions during a live Q&A with experienced lending professionals About the Speakers Tim Bingaman has a passion for Small Business and helping Small Business owners succeed! Prior to working at the Miami University SBDC, Bingaman spent over 25 years working for Citigroup, one of the world’s largest financial institutions. At Citi, he developed his passion for helping people gain access to money and using it to improve their lives. After leaving banking, he built two companies, including Bell Tower Leadership, a Learning & Leadership consulting firm. Bingaman earned a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Xavier University and is currently working on a Doctorate in Education Leadership at Miami University. -- Catherine Lentz is the Director of Lending for Southern Ohio at Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI). She helps entrepreneurs and small business owners realize their dream of owning and growing their small business by providing resources and small business financing. Catherine has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and prior to joining ECDI in 2021, she was a Business Relationship Manager and Private Client Branch Manager with JPMorgan Chase. Catherine grew up in the Dayton, Ohio area, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Co-Chair of the Emerging Leaders for the Cincinnati Parks Foundation and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Cincinnati. -- Marco Pastor, Sr. is a Vice President and Commercial Relationship Manager with Telhio Credit Union, where he partners with business owners to provide customized lending and banking solutions that support growth, expansion, and long-term financial success. With extensive experience in commercial banking and business finance, Marco works closely with entrepreneurs, real estate investors, nonprofit organizations, and growing companies throughout Ohio. Throughout his career, Marco has helped businesses navigate the lending process, secure financing for expansion, acquire commercial real estate, and improve cash flow management. He is passionate about making commercial lending more accessible and understandable for business owners, empowering them to make informed financial decisions. As a relationship-focused banker, Marco is committed to building strong community partnerships and helping local businesses access the capital and resources they need to thrive. At the Demystifying Lending event, he will share practical insights into how lenders evaluate loan requests, common financing options available to businesses, and strategies for improving a company's ability to secure financing. -- Thomas Keen has been in the lending space for over 16 years and has been a Small Business Specialist with First Financial Bank since 2024. His role involves working with businesses to help accomplish their goals by helping them structure and qualify for business lending solutions. The businesses he works with vary in all industries and are everywhere from just getting started to being in existence over 20 years! Whether its help getting established, purchasing buildings and equipment to expand and grow, or setting up lines of credit to help take on larger and more projects, he works with customers on solutions to fit their needs. Thomas lives in West Chester with his wife Mackenzie and 2 kids, Ellie (8) and Easton (5). When we they're not doing gymnastics, tee-ball and soccer, they love to venture out to local sporting events and breweries to relax! The Economic & Community Development Institute's Women's Business Centers of Ohio guide individuals at any stage of the business process. Through one-on-one counseling sessions with WBC staff and volunteers, you can get the direction and resources to meet your goals. Business advisers want to help you successfully start a business, or grow and expand your existing business -- increasing revenue and creating jobs for the local economy. The WBCs present training workshops regularly to provide access to small business knowledge at no charge. They are the only SBA-funded Women's Business Centers in the state. Funded (in part) through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.