History — Providing SBA Loans
44 Business Capital, a division of Beacon Bank & Trust, provides SBA loans both regionally and nationally. Headquartered in Blue Bell, PA, 44 Business Capital was established in September of 2009 by Phil Rapone, Jeff Sherry and Greg Poehlmann as a subsidiary of a local community bank.
September 2025
44 Business Capital is the direct small business lending division of Beacon Bank & Trust
All required regulatory approvals to complete the proposed merger of equals between Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Brookline Bancorp, Inc. with the resulting company becoming Beacon Financial Corporation. Upon closing, Berkshire Bank will operate as a division of Beacon Bank & Trust.
September 2023
44 expands Texas territory to Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio with David Velez starting as the newest FVP, SBA Lending
February 2023
Denise Clemence, CCIM joins the 44 Florida team, as newest FVP, SBA Lending
June 2024
Original Founder Jeff Sherry retires from 44 Business Capital
March 2024
Expanding to Nashville, TN Donald “Matt” Matthews joins 44 as the newest FVP, SBA Lending
April 2020
In the first week of the Paycheck Protection Program availability, 44 processed over 2,500 applications for over $500 Million.
November 2020
James Stolt joins 44 Business Capital's expansion to the Chicago business lending space with 30 plus years of experience in the finance industry.
Stephen Schwarz joins 44 in the Richmond, VA area as First Vice President, SBA Lending.
January 2018
Original Founder Phil Rapone retires from 44 Business Capital.
March/July 2017
44 expands to nationwide lending footprint adding locations in Columbus, Ohio, Central PA, Denver, Colorado, NY/CT.
April 2016
44 Business joins the Berkshire Bank team. The partnership will help establish both companies collectively as a major player in the SBA lending market, both regionally and nationally.
April 2021
Expanding the Florida territory, Marissa Ames, South Florida and Lynne Singletary, Central Florida hired as new First Vice President’s, SBA Lending.
APRIL 2022
Expanding to Birmingham, Alabama Josh Rawls joins 44 as newest FVP, SBA Lending
MAY 2022
Shay Barkley is newest FVP, SBA Lending based in Atlanta, Georgia
JULY 2022
Tracey Tucker, FVP, SBA Lending joins our Denver area office
JULY 2015
44 hires Mike Hahn as Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer for the Philadelphia market.
OCTOBER 2015
44 Business Capital was the top SBA lender by dollar volume in the Philadelphia District of the U.S. Small Business Administration region according to SBA Philadelphia District Loan Volume Report Fiscal Year 2015 (10/01/2014 thru 9/30/2015).
APRIL 2013
Jeff Peisach hired for SBA expansion into Maryland, DC & Northern Virginia market.
JUNE 2013
Phillip Martin of Wyncote, PA, hired as Senior Vice President and SBA Loan Officer for the Philadelphia market of 44 Business Capital
OCTOBER 2012
SBA Top Volume Lender in Philadelphia Region.
DECEMBER 2012
44 tops $100MM in its loan portfolio and serviced assets.
JULY 2011
44 Business Capital named Top 25 Lender by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
AUGUST 2011
44 new hire, Joan Whiteley, whose 25 plus years of banking experience with Harleysville National Bank will assist with servicing the portfolio and taking on some closing responsibilities.
OCTOBER 2011
44 Business Capital was the #1 Lender by dollar volume in the Philadelphia District of the SBA with $39MM in approvals. For the SBA's fiscal year ending 9/30/2011. Named Top 50 SBA Lender in the United States - As of SBA's fiscal year end of 9/30/2011.
NOVEMBER 2011
South Florida Business Journal names 44 Business Capital one of the Top 25 SBA Lenders in South Florida.
FEBRUARY 2010
The key hire of Joe Dreyer adds to 44 Business Capital's already formidable origination team.
OCTOBER 2010
44 Business Capital assisted with $24MM in SBA loan approvals in the Philadelphia District for the SBA's fiscal year ending 9/30/2010.
2009
Rapone/Poehlmann/Sherry form 44 Business Capital, a joint venture with Parke Bank. Parke Bank entrepreneurial President and CEO, Vito Pantilone, was a perfect partner. Scott Gillanders and Wendy McNatt, formerly of BLX, are brought on board to handle credit and closing. In its first 4 months of operation, 44 Business Capital closed $4MM in SBA loans.
1989 through 2008
$1 Billion lent to small businesses through their prior endeavors. Jeff Sherry and Phil Rapone through 44 Financial. Greg Poehlmann, Joe Dreyer and Ed Narozny through the Business Loan Express, Money Store and UPS Capital.
FALL 2008
The credit crisis creates opportunity and the principals of 44 Financial and Greg Poehlmann begin to discuss strategic alliance.
44 NEWS
The 44 Advantage…
- Access to the Decision Makers
- Speed to Decision
- No Loan Covenants
Our Clients…
- Refinance existing debt
- Purchase commercial real estate
- Expand or purchase a business
- Invest in new machinery & equipment
- Improve company cash flow
- Preserve Countless Jobs
