SBA lender BankUnited Small Business Finance expanded into Washington, Ohio and Wisconsin, while also deepening its footprint in Florida. The division also has added five business development officers, according to Hakim E. Kassam, managing director.

As part of the expansion, the following individuals have joined as members of the business development team:

• Michael Gawlik (Wisconsin): With more than seven years of experience in SBA lending, Gawlik joins BankUnited from Northeast Bank in Appleton, WI, where he served as vice president and SBA business development officer.
• Wan Kim (Washington): With more than two decades of industry experience, Kim joins BankUnited SBF from Hana Small Business Lending in Bellevue, WA where he served as SBA business development officer.
• Stephen Neal (Ohio): With 14 years of industry experience, Neal joins BankUnited SBF from Liberty Bank in Beachwood, OH where he served as vice president and SBA specialist.
• Stephen Speer (Florida): With more than 20 years of industry experience, Speer joins BankUnited SBF from Platinum Bancorp in Palm Harbor, FL, where he served as managing partner. He will be based in Tampa.
• William Tinsley (Florida): With 12 years of SBA lending experience, Tinsley joins BankUnited SBF from First Citizens Bank in Jupiter, FL, where he served most recently as SBA loan officer. He will be based in Jupiter.

“In the past year, the BankUnited Small Business Finance team has focused significant effort on improving overall efficiencies to support growing originations as a part of the bank’s lending efforts throughout most major markets across the U.S.,” said Kassam. “Our growth was the result of BankUnited’s unwavering commitment to the superior delivery of financing solutions to the small business community.”

BankUnited Small Business Finance is a direct SBA Preferred Lender actively financing small businesses through most U.S. markets.