History of Community Business Lenders

July 22, 2005

Community Business Lenders (CBL) was founded on Feb. 1, 2005, in order to provide Iowa credit unions with the resources and third-party support to offer member business loans to small business owners and individuals who are eligible for credit union membership. Through our vision, "Building stronger communities – one business at a time," CBL strives to strengthen Iowa's credit unions, businesses and communities.

CBL is an Iowa-based, for-profit company that is open to all Iowa credit unions and is owned by the Iowa Credit Union League of Des Moines, along with two central Iowa credit unions – Community Choice Credit Union of Johnston, and MEMBERS1st Community Credit Union of Marshalltown. CBL’s services include underwriting, documenting, closing and servicing loans as well as facilitating loan participations. CBL offers both revolving lines of credit and term loans including real estate and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.

By offering member business loans through CBL, credit unions experience an increase in earning assets, earn additional fee income and, most importantly, strengthen and grow their member relationships. By partnering with CBL and their credit unions, business owners and individuals benefit by having a local lending relationship where they receive timely responses, competitive rates and member-focused service.

CBL is governed by a five-person board of directors and is based in Des Moines, Iowa.

The CEO of Community Business Lenders is Mark Kilian. Through his previous work in business lending at an Iowa bank, as the Chief Financial Officer of an Iowa-based privately held trucking company and most recently as owner of a business consulting firm, Kilian brings a strong and diverse background to the position. In addition, Kilian is a CPA and adjunct finance instructor at Drake University.

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