James Stolt has joined the Merchants Bank Small Business Administration (SBA) Lending division as a Senior Business Development Officer. In this role, Stolt will develop strategies to generate new business, leveraging his network in Illinois and the Midwest region. He will be based in Chicago, Illinois.
Stolt brings more than 30 years of experience in the finance industry, with the last two decades focused on generating small business loans for owner-operated businesses and franchise clients. Since 2004, he has specialized exclusively in Small Business Administration financing, developing deep expertise across a wide range of loan structures and business needs. His experience as a senior loan officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration brings unique insight to Merchants’ SBA Lending division.
Throughout his career, Stolt has concentrated on SBA financing solutions that support business acquisitions, debt refinancing, franchise development, ground up construction and tenant improvements, as well as commercial real estate lending. His extensive experience enables him to guide clients through complex transactions while aligning financing strategies with long-term business goals.
“James will be a strong addition to Merchants Bank and our SBA lending team,” said Jeff Scott, President of SBA Lending for Merchants Bank. “Small businesses need reliable, experienced partners in today’s economy, and we remain committed to expanding our SBA group to meet that need. James’s background and expertise position him well to support the businesses we serve.”
Stolt holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University and an MBA from Northern Illinois University. Beyond his professional life, James is an avid cyclist and musician, embracing creativity and discipline both on the road and in the arts.