Financing Growth: What Behavioral Health Practice Owners Should Know About SBA Loans
The Right Tack Podcast, Episode 9
If you’ve ever wondered how other behavioral health practices fund their growth, you’re not alone. From expanding locations to hiring new providers, financing is often one of the biggest hurdles for private practice owners.
That’s why in Episode 9 of The Right Tack, hosts Paul and Jim Jonas welcome back Tim Sery, VP Commercial Lender at BankVista, and introduce Kari Schurmann, SVP SBA Officer at BankVista, for a deep dive into how behavioral health practice owners can use SBA loans to grow smarter, and what’s changing in the lending landscape.
This episode builds on our earlier conversation with Tim in Episode 4 and covers the practical side of business banking, including:
SBA vs. Conventional Loans: Kari explains that SBA loans are often a better fit for behavioral health practices because they act as a “collateral substitute”—critical when your main assets are your clinicians, not equipment or real estate.
Why SBA Loans Matter: As Paul notes, “We wouldn’t be here today without SBA loans.” Many private practices get their start with this type of financing, whether it’s for their first office lease or expanding to a second location.
What’s New in SBA Lending: Kari breaks down recent program changes every practice owner should know—like new insurance requirements, a 10% equity injection for startups, and updates to ownership eligibility.
Preferred Lender Advantages: A bank’s “Preferred Lender” status with the SBA means faster approvals and smoother processes—saving business owners weeks of waiting.
How Growth Evolves: As Tim shares, practices often start with SBA loans and eventually move into conventional financing as they mature. That kind of growth, he says, is always rewarding to see.
It’s a practical, eye-opening conversation for behavioral health entrepreneurs thinking about how to fund their next stage of growth—or simply get their first practice off the ground.
🎧 Listen now to Episode 9: “Business Banking and SBA Loans: Part 2” wherever you get your podcasts.
The information shared in this podcast reflects the views of Tim Sery and Kari Schurmann as guests and is intended for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal, financial, or business advice, nor does it constitute an offer to lend. Listeners should consult their own advisors before making any financial decisions. Any discussion of SBA programs is based on current understanding and may not reflect the most recent guidance or eligibility criteria. BankVista is Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
