I've spent over 30 years as a commercial banking relationship manager, sitting on the other side of the desk for hundreds of small business loan decisions — from the first conversation all the way through funding.

Most business owners never get told what actually happens behind the scenes when a bank reviews their application. I wrote Approved: How Bankers Actually Decide, and started this blog, to change that — plain-language, straight from loan committee, no jargon and no sales pitch.

Outside of banking, I'm active in the Tampa Bay community, serving on the boards of Meals on Wheels of Tampa and the Rotary Club of Tampa.

If you're preparing to apply for a business loan, or trying to understand why a past application didn't go your way, that's exactly what this blog — and the book — are for.