By Brian Buchanan, Regional Vice President, NewtekOne
A business-owner member came to Ent Credit Union with a meaningful financing need. The original request was straightforward: a partner buyout loan for a local, influential law firm that would help support an ownership transition. But as the opportunity developed, the financing need became broader. The structure evolved beyond the partner buyout to include additional working capital, giving the firm the flexibility to support the transition and position itself for future growth.
For many financial institutions, that type of change can create friction. A loan that begins one way and changes over time can not only put the closing at risk... put the entire credit union relationship at risk.
This is where the right lending partner matters.
Through its relationship with NewtekOne, Ent Credit Union was able to help the law firm move forward with a financing solution that fit the real needs of the business. Newtek remained flexible and responsive as the structure changed, while still keeping the loan on track for a timely closing.
Daniel Arkulary, Sr. Business Banker at Ent Credit Union, described the experience this way:
“I recently funded an SBA loan for a local influential law firm through Newtek that turned out very well. What began as a partner buyout loan evolved to include additional working capital to support both the transition and future growth. As the loan structure changed over time, Newtek remained accommodating and understanding, while still keeping the deal on track for a timely closing. They also avoided creating unnecessary friction as adjustments arose.
As a banker, having a partner like Newtek, one that prioritizes the relationship over simply completing the transaction, is incredibly valuable.”
For credit unions, these are the moments that matter. The member has a real need. The relationship is worth protecting. The deposits are important. The business owner wants to work with a financial institution they already trust. But the loan may not fit neatly inside the credit union’s internal lending structure, appetite, or capacity.
NewtekOne Helps Credit Unions Fill That Gap
For more than two decades, Newtek has been endorsed by CUNA Strategic Services, reflecting a long-standing commitment to helping credit unions support their business-owner members with practical lending solutions.
With business loan options from $5,000 to $15 million1, including SBA and conventional business lending programs, NewtekOne gives credit unions a practical way to support business-owner members without requiring the credit union to build every piece of commercial lending infrastructure internally. Loans feature long-term amortizations of 10 to 25 years, no balloon payments, and no standard loan covenants.
For eligible requests up to $350,000, Newtek also offers the Newtek Seven Day Business Loan™ program, where qualified applications can move from approval to funding within seven days of a completed application2.
The result is not simply a completed transaction. It is a stronger relationship.
In this case, the story ended the right way. The law firm received the financing it needed. The credit union remained at the center of the relationship. And Newtek helped bring the structure, flexibility, and execution needed to get the deal done.
This is what a win-win partnership looks like.
Connect with NewtekOne to learn more.
1NewtekOne, Inc., is a financial holding company, which along with its bank and non-bank subsidiaries provides a wide range of business and financial solutions under the Newtek® brand to business owners. Loans are issued by Newtek Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
2Funded to Approved Borrowers within seven calendar days of a complete application
