October Rates
10-year: 4.152%
20-year: 4.646%
Lending Partners Join WBD to Set Record, Create More Than 1,200 Jobs in FY ’17
WBD ended fiscal year ’17 with record-level loans and with a solid number of jobs created.
In 2017, WBD approved just under $130 million in SBA 504 and SBA 7(a) loans—the second most productive year since the company was formed in 1981. Additionally, we helped in the creation and retention of over 1,200 jobs.
WBD, which is designated through the U.S. Small Business Administration as a non-profit, Certified Development Company, exceeded $100 million in approvals for the third consecutive year—another first for the company.
CEO and President Dan Schneider associates these successes with WBD’s continuous mission to offer user-friendly processes and procedures and to become “Your Business Finance Resource.”
“We would not have achieved this level of production without the efforts of the loan officers, analysts, closers, servicing staff, admin, HR, IT, accounting, and marketing,” Schneider said. “This was truly a team effort.”
WBD Expands Training Program to Share 7(a), 504 Expertise with Lenders
WBD is embarking on a new effort to significantly expand our training offerings to lenders and to small businesses throughout our markets.
The trainings will draw from WBD’s thirty-five years of SBA experience.
Jeff Sheffler, former Vice President and Loan Officer in Northeast Wisconsin, has been promoted to Vice President of Training & Development to lead WBD’s efforts in this area.
Jeff is excited to share his nearly 20 years of SBA lending experience with financial institutions, with small businesses, and with other economic development organizations.
Becky Schneider, WBD’s Lender Services Manager and one of Wisconsin’s foremost 7(a) subject matter experts, will join Jeff in delivering this expanded training initiative.
In addition to explaining basic SBA lending rules, Jeff and Becky will provide “color commentary” on the black-and-white (and sometimes gray) world of SBA lending.
This initiative is offered through the WBD Service Company, which provides SBA lending services and support to financial institutions.
To learn more about trainings, topics, or times, contact Jeff Sheffler or Becky Schneider.
SBA Issues New SOP for 504 Loan Program


Here’s what we know so far:
- A new version of the SOP was finalized and made public on 10/13/17.
- The new rules will go into effect on January 1, 2018.
- SBA staff will discuss these changes throughout the annual meeting.
Women Venture Hosts “Women Mean Business” Luncheon in Minneapolis
On Friday, Oct. 13th, WBD Vice President and Loan Officer April Nelson (pictured above with WomenVenture Senior Loan Officer Jason Burak) attended the “Women Mean Business Luncheon” hosted by Women Venture.
Over 1,000 business professionals and community leaders attended this event, including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar.
This fall, Women Venture is celebrating 40 years of helping women achieve economic independence and success.
To learn more about their efforts, visit www.womenventure.org
Mike Dieckman and Family Visit Spain
Mike and his wife Cheryl visited their daughter, Kayla, who lived and taught in Madrid for three years.