Three years after it started offering business loans, MembersChoice Credit Union said it recently took the No. 9 spot on thelist of top SBA lenders for the Houston market.

The Houston-based $457 million credit union, which previouslyheld the 10th spot on the list, was recognized at a HoustonAssociation of Government Guaranteed Lenders luncheon whereMembers Choice President/CEO Steve Gilman and staff werepresented with a recognition plaque by Yolanda Garcia Olivarez,regional administrator of the SBA.

In June 2011, Members Choice said it earned a Preferred Lender designation by the SBA, which gives lendersthe authority to streamline the process necessary to providefinancial assistance to the small business community. The statushas been granted to only eight other credit unions in Texas,according to Members Choice.

The credit union said it began offering business loans in 2009.Since 2010, Members Choice has made more than $42 million inbusiness loans to a variety of small businesses.

“We are pleased to continue to provide small businesses with theopportunity to realize their dreams of owning a small business,brings jobs to our communities and helps to strengthen oureconomy,” Gilman said. “We are fortunate and proud to have a greatteam of individuals in our SBA lending department who have made this recognitionpossible.”

Members Choice's business lending group consists of Bruce Hurta,business lending manager; Pat Harris, business lendingadministrator; Regina Jenkins, business services officer, andCharmian Rosales, business services officer. Hurta also serves asthe current president of the board of the Houston Association ofGovernment Guaranteed Lenders.