Demystifying Lending for Small Businesses

Join ECDI and the Ohio SBDC at Miami University Regionals during National Small Business Week for an in‑person workshop focused on helping small business owners understand how to get funding for their business.

Regional experts will explain what banks and lenders look for, review different loan and funding options, and walk through how to tell if your business is ready to apply, with time to connect directly with financial institutions and ask questions.
*EVENT HELD IN AUDITORIUM RM 116*

Event Highlights:

• Understand what lenders look for when reviewing loan applications
• Check whether your business is ready to apply for funding
• Review different loan and financing options
• Meet lenders and local business support organizations
• Ask questions during a live Q&A with experienced lending professionals

Tim Bingaman has a passion for Small Business and helping Small Business owners succeed! Prior to working at the Miami University SBDC, Bingaman spent over 25 years working for Citigroup, one of the world’s largest financial institutions. At Citi, he developed his passion for helping people gain access to money and using it to improve their lives.
After leaving banking, he built two companies, including Bell Tower Leadership, a Learning & Leadership consulting firm. Bingaman earned a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Xavier University and is currently working on a Doctorate in Education Leadership at Miami University.

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Jeffery Washington, MBA, is dedicated to supporting businesses and communities across WPCU’s region, helping them grow, prosper, and thrive. By addressing the unique needs of small businesses with tailored solutions and exceptional support, Jeffery leverages his expertise to meet the needs of every member he serves.

With over 15 years of experience in financial services, Jeffery excels in management, relationship building, and commercial lending sales. His expertise, combined with a strong commitment to community service and a deep understanding of small business development, allows him to make a meaningful impact in providing businesses with the support they need when it matters most.

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Thomas Keen has been in the lending space for over 16 years and has been a Small Business Specialist with First Financial Bank since 2024. His role involves working with businesses to help accomplish their goals by helping them structure and qualify for business lending solutions. The businesses he works with vary in all industries and are everywhere from just getting started to being in existence over 20 years! Whether its help getting established, purchasing buildings and equipment to expand and grow, or setting up lines of credit to help take on larger and more projects, he works with customers on solutions to fit their needs.

Thomas lives in West Chester with his wife Mackenzie and 2 kids, Ellie (8) and Easton (5). When we they're not doing gymnastics, tee-ball and soccer, they love to venture out to local sporting events and breweries to relax!

The Economic & Community Development Institute's Women's Business Centers of Ohio guide individuals at any stage of the business process. Through one-on-one counseling sessions with WBC staff and volunteers, you can get the direction and resources to meet your goals. Business advisers want to help you successfully start a business, or grow and expand your existing business -- increasing revenue and creating jobs for the local economy.

The WBCs present training workshops regularly to provide access to small business knowledge at no charge. They are the only SBA-funded Women's Business Centers in the state.

Funded (in part) through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.