AUGUSTA

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced the top SBA lenders in Maine for 2017, following a record-breaking year of assistance to the state’s small businesses.

Over the course of 2017, more than 50 Maine lenders approved more than $165 million worth of business loans through all programs, a 26 percent increase over 2016.

“The growth that we’ve seen in SBA lending here in Maine is truly incredible.” said Amy Bassett, SBA district director for Maine. “We certainly wouldn’t be able to provide the same kind of assistance to Maine’s small businesses if it wasn’t for the outstanding efforts of our lenders, and this is our opportunity to thank them for all their hard work.”

The recipients of SBA’s Lender Awards for 2017 were honored at a ceremony earlier this month at the Governor Hill Mansion in Augusta.

The SBA’s top performing lenders are:

• Bangor Savings Bank

• Norway Savings Bank

• Seaboard Federal Credit Union

• Granite State Economic Development Corp.

• Community Concepts Finance Corp.

• TD Bank

• Katahdin Trust Company

The U.S. Small Business Administration was created in 1953 and since Jan. 13, 2012, has served as a Cabinet level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through a network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, the SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. (sba.gov)