MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (Union Bank) announced four appointments within the Small Business Administration Lending group. Craig Cornwell, Billy Szeto, Jeff Theiler, and Sam Vichattu join as Vice Presidents reporting to Kirsten (Didi) Hakes, head of the Small Business Administration Lending group. These individuals will assist small business owners with a broad range of financial services, including owner-occupied commercial real estate lending, business acquisition, and expansion.
“Small business owners across the West Coast are optimistic about the business opportunities ahead and we are expanding our team to support their growing needs,” Hakes said. “This high-caliber team, with an average of 18 years of experience serving small business owners, is qualified to counsel clients on the various Small Business Administration programs and other financing options that will help them achieve their specific business goals.”
Based in Los Angeles, Craig Cornwell brings to Union Bank more than 20 years of Small Business Administration expertise. He also brings deep understanding of owner-occupied lending. Together with a team of Los Angeles-based bankers, he will cover the Los Angeles market. Cornwell is a licensed California real estate broker and holds a BA in Economics from The University of California, Los Angeles.
Billy Szeto joins Union Bank from J.P. Morgan Chase, where most recently he served as a Relationship Manager serving businesses in the Los Angeles area. He brings Union Bank small business clients more than 20 years of financial industry experience in the Greater Los Angeles Area. He is a Small Business Administration specialist with a commercial banking background that includes experience in commercial real estate, equipment financing, and commercial and industrial lending. Szeto has also held positions at SoCal Certified Development Company, California Bank &Trust, First Bank, and Comerica Bank. He is based in Los Angeles.
Covering the Pacific Northwest, Jeff Theiler joins Union Bank from Bank of the West, where he was a Small Business Administration Specialist. Previous to that, he was a Vice President with Lehman Brothers, Key Bank, and GE Capital. Theiler’s professional background includes banking experience in commercial real estate and equipment financing. He also brings more than 20 years of financial services experience as a Small Business Administration Specialist and Commercial Banker. Theiler earned a Bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University. He is based in Portland and serves the Pacific Northwest.
Sam Vichattu brings more than 12 years of financial services experience, which includes expertise in commercial real estate finance, SBA lending, market development, and financial analysis. He is based in San Jose, Calif., and will cover the San Francisco Bay Area market. Vichattu is a licensed real estate agent and holds a degree in Business Administration from De Anza College.
The Small Business Administration group serves businesses that fall within the U.S. Small Business Administration guidelines. It offers an array of products and services for businesses and their owners, including deposit solutions, loans, lines of credit, specialized credit programs, and online business products. The team serves clients throughout the bank’s footprint across California, Oregon, and Washington.