SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 14, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Pacific Bancorp and Golden Pacific Bank are pleased to announce the recent appointment of Heather Luzzi as VP/Managing Director of Business Relations.
"We are excited to have someone at the high level of caliber and stellar reputation of Ms. Luzzi on our team," CEO Virginia Varela commented. "With years of experience both as a community banker and an Officer with the SBA District Office, Ms. Luzzi is the perfect candidate to drive our goal of exceptional financial services to small businesses."
Ms. Luzzi successfully held positions at various financial services organizations through her career such as Senior Account Executive, Branch Manager, and Regional Production Manager. Most recently, Ms. Luzzi was the Lender Relations Specialist and District International Trade Officer for SBA's Sacramento District Office. Prior to that, she was a Senior Analyst for SBA in the 7a Loan Guaranty Processing Center located in Citrus Heights.
Golden Pacific Bank, a SBA Preferred Lender, together with Better Finance, Inc., a financial services technology company, launched one of the nation's first online, automated SBA loan application process for small business loans, SmartBiz (www.smartbizloans.com/gpb). Businesses that need quick access to low-cost capital now have an easy way to apply for an SBA loan online and receive $5,000 to $350,000 in as fast as five business days.
"I joined Golden Pacific Bank to immediately manage their innovative SmartBiz loan program because I see a need for getting capital into the hands of small business more effectively and efficiently. The online application process for SBA lending though SmartBiz is cutting edge and I'm very excited to be a part of it. I look forward to growing our team and marketing the product through banking partners around the country. The Smartbiz platform fills a significant void that small businesses and our economy need."
Heather is passionate about small business as both her parents were self-employed entrepreneurs and her husband owns a small construction company.