Bell names new SBA lending lead.

Byline: William Morris

Bell Bank's new Small Business Administration lending manager is jumping right into the deep end of the pool.

The Fargo, North Dakota-based bank announced Monday it has chosen longtime Bremer Bank executive Paul Flood as the senior vice president in charge of its new Bell Bank SBA team, which helps businesses that may not qualify for conventional commercial loans. Flood is joining at a critical moment, as the Small Business Administration has issued an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration and made loans of up to $2 million available to small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic shutdowns.

In his new role, Flood will work with bankers and clients in Minnesota, North Dakota and Arizona to coordinate SBA relief for businesses under the new response programs. Beyond the current emergency, the team is intended to complement the bank's existing industrial and commercial lending, Executive Vice President Todd Lee said in...