In the six years Black Hills Federal Credit Union has been authorized to do SBA lending, the financial institution said it is proud of its track record.

Roger Heacock, president/CEO of the $765 million credit union, testified June 10 on CUNA's behalf before the House Small Business Committee about expanding small business access to capital as a way to spur an economic recovery. The Rapid City, S.D.-based Black Hills wrote more SBA loans in its home state than any other financial institution in 2008, Heacock said. The credit union approved 29 loans for a total of more than $1.6 million, with an average loan amount of $56,703. The South Dakota SBA district office recently awarded Black Hills its district director leadership award.

Heacock applauded Congress for setting aside $375 million for the temporary elimination of fees on SBA-backed loans and raising the agency's guarantee percentage on some loans to 90% as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He encouraged lawmakers to make additional funds available to the agency "so that fees can remain low and the guarantees can remain generous."