Community Lending Partners

What Community Lending Partners does

Community Lending Partners (CLP) is an Atlanta-based private financial services firm founded in 2020 that operates as a loan syndication intermediary between community banks and credit unions on one side and small businesses seeking government-guaranteed capital on the other. The company does not underwrite loans itself; instead it matches participating lenders with portions of larger commercial loans, focusing specifically on USDA Rural Business and Industry (B&I), USDA Renewable Energy 9003, SBA 7(a), and SBA 504 programs. Government guarantees of 60%–80% (depending on program and loan size) provide risk mitigation to participating institutions.

CLP's product surface is the four government-guaranteed loan programs plus a core loan syndication service. There is no proprietary technology platform; deal flow is coordinated through direct outreach by principals and a network of named lending partners (Magnolia Bank, Trans Pecos Bank, Caldwell Bank, Madison One, Access Business Capital). Track record disclosed on the firm's website includes 24 closed loan projects totaling roughly $280 million, with individual deals ranging from $1.4 million to $51 million across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and hospitality.

The revenue model is transaction-fee based on syndicated commercial loan placements, with institution-specific pricing that is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is relationship-led enterprise field sales — principally driven by CEO Bill Mullally (35 years in financial services) and supported by a marketing representative and an executive assistant. CLP has operated at a small scale (1–10 employees) and has stated it has placed nearly $1 billion in cumulative loans over the past five years through its lender network.

Name

Community Lending Partners

Legal name

Community Lending Partners

Website

https://communitylendingpartners.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Lending Partners is an Atlanta-based loan syndication intermediary that connects community banks and credit unions with small businesses seeking USDA B&I, USDA 9003 renewable energy, SBA 7(a), and SBA 504 government-guaranteed commercial loans, earning transaction fees on placements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Loan Syndication

NAICS

Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231), Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522), Nondepository Credit Intermediation (5222)

SIC

Loan Brokers (6163), Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

P2P Loan Syndication & Participation Platforms (FSAKAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Federations/Centrals & Cooperative Banking Networks (2nd-Tier Co-ops) (FSABAEAL), Microfinance & Community P2P Lending (FSAKAHAD)

Keywords

• Loan syndication services
• Government guaranteed lending
• Commercial loan brokerage
• Community bank lending
• SBA loan programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Loan Syndication Services: CLP facilitates syndicated commercial loans between community financial institutions, earning fees for organizing and placing loan participations. The company connects lenders looking to diversify their portfolios with borrowers seeking government-guaranteed commercial loans.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Community Lending Partners is a loan syndication intermediary that brings together community banks and credit unions to participate in government-guaranteed (USDA B&I, USDA 9003, SBA 7(a), SBA 504) and conventional commercial loan packages. The company does not underwrite loans directly but works with lending officers, business development officers, and credit risk officers to strategically select loans that fit each institution's diversification, risk tolerance, and earnings requirements. CLP earns transaction fees for organizing and placing syndicated loan participations among its community lender network.

Product overview

Community Lending Partners operates as a loan syndication platform that brings community financial institutions together to participate in government-guaranteed and conventional commercial loans. The company does not underwrite loans directly but works with lending officers to strategically select loans that complement each institution's diversification, risk tolerance, and earnings needs. The core offerings include four distinct loan programs: USDA Rural Business and Industry Loans, USDA Renewable Energy 9003 Loans, SBA 7(a) Loans, and SBA 504 Loans. These programs are syndicated through a network of community lenders to fund small businesses seeking capital.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• USDA Rural Business and Industry (B&I) Loans Government-guaranteed commercial loans through the USDA B&I program. Typical loan amounts average roughly $8 million, with guarantees of 80% on loans of $1M-$5M, 70% on loans of $5M-$10M, and 60% on loans of $10M-$25M. Over the past five years, Bill Mullally has assisted multiple financial institutions in placing nearly $500 million of these loans.
• USDA Renewable Energy 9003 Loan Program Loan program for next-generation renewable energy projects. Loan amounts can be as high as $250 million, with an 80% government guarantee on amounts up to $150 million and typically 70% on amounts above $150 million. A unique feature is the lead lender's ability to alter the interest rate on the guaranteed and non-guaranteed portions of the loan.
• SBA 7(a) Loans SBA-guaranteed loans typically ranging from $2 million to $5 million for real estate, business acquisition, equipment financing, and inventory, with a 75% guarantee. Also includes SBA express loans of $250,000-$350,000 and export loans. Available to community lenders seeking to participate in syndicated SBA 7(a) packages.
• SBA 504 Loans Real estate only SBA loans typically ranging from $3 million to $10 million, providing participating lenders with a first lien position at approximately 50% LTV. Syndicates real estate-focused SBA 504 loans among CLP's community lender network.
• Loan Syndication Services Core service offering that facilitates syndicated commercial loan packages by connecting community lenders to participate in government-guaranteed loans. Helps community banks and credit unions diversify risk, boost income, and grow commercial lending portfolios by taking on portions of loans that would otherwise migrate to large regional and national banks. CLP earns transaction fees for organizing and placing these loan participations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $1 billion in loans closed over five years through network of lenders
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lendio: Operates a small-business loan marketplace that connects borrowers with a network of lenders, including SBA and other government-guaranteed products. Highly comparable to CLP in that it is a loan-brokerage intermediary earning fees on matched transactions rather than holding loans on its own balance sheet.
• Newtek Business Services (NewtekOne): A non-bank lender and SBA-preferred provider focused on SBA 7(a) and 504 origination, often participating in syndicated government-guaranteed loan packages. Comparable in SBA product focus and role in the government-guaranteed loan ecosystem, though Newtek holds loans on its own balance sheet.
• Fundera: Small-business loan marketplace (now part of LendingClub) matching borrowers to a network of lenders across SBA and conventional products. Directly comparable to CLP in operating a fee-based SMB loan broker model, with overlapping SBA product focus.
• Currency (formerly Currency Capital): Specializes in SBA 7(a) loan brokerage for small businesses, acting as an intermediary between borrowers and a network of participating lenders. Closely comparable to CLP on loan-brokerage model, SBA product focus, and fee-based revenue from syndication-style placements.
• Funding Circle US: Operates a marketplace lending platform originating and syndicating small-business loans to a network of institutional and individual funders. Comparable in that it is a fee-driven intermediary focused on SMB credit, though its primary product is non-government-backed term loans.
• Biz2Credit: Operates an online small-business lending marketplace matching borrowers to banks and alternative lenders, including SBA programs. Comparable as a technology-enabled loan broker competing in the same government-guaranteed small-business credit space.

Emerging players

• Coastal Enterprises Inc (CEI): Community development financial institution providing small-business and commercial credit, including USDA-backed loans, in rural and underserved markets. Comparable in its USDA program orientation and community-lender focus, though it operates as a direct lender rather than a syndication broker.
• Accion: Mission-driven small-business lender and broker focused on underserved and community-based borrowers, often working with SBA and other government-supported programs. Comparable to CLP in its community/underserved-borrower orientation and use of government-guaranteed products.

Broad incumbents

• Stearns Bank: A niche commercial and small-business bank active in SBA lending and government-guaranteed credit. Comparable in its orientation toward government-guaranteed SMB lending, though it is a chartered lender rather than a syndication intermediary.
• Live Oak Bank: One of the largest SBA lenders in the U.S. with deep SBA 7(a) origination across multiple verticals. Comparable to CLP as a major participant in the SBA loan ecosystem, though it operates as a chartered bank originating and holding loans rather than as a pure broker.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-lending-partners

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Lending Partners