Huntington makes $4 billion in small biz loans

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Huntington Bank announced Monday that it has exceeded its 2010 small- business lending commitment in six states, allocating more than $4 billion in loans over a three-year period.

More than 24,000 businesses obtained loans, the bank reported Monday, with 15,400 small businesses in Ohio benefiting.

“Small business is a priority for Huntington, and we remain committed to continuing to create innovative ways to help small-business owners,” said Retail and Business Banking Director Mary Navarro. “We believe in the Midwest as a driver of the U.S. economy.”

Huntington is the largest Small Business Administration lender in its markets and third-largest SBA lender in the nation in number of loans.

Last November, J.D. Power and Associates ranked Huntington “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Small Business Banking.”

In March 2012, Huntington unveiled a $100 million commitment to affordable housing projects in Michigan, which is similar to a commitment made in Ohio in 2010.

Likewise, Huntington is nearing the fulfillment of a separate 2011 commitment to loan an additional $2 billion to small business in Michigan.

Businesses in Indiana, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky all received loans in regions where the bank operates.