Independent Bank has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) with their highest designation of Preferred Lender status. SBA Preferred Lender program (PLP) status is awarded to those banks with the greatest level of expertise and experience with SBA lending, and provides unilateral authority to process, approve and service SBA-guaranteed loans in-house. A bank with SBA Preferred Lender status is able to shave up to weeks off the time needed to get to the closing table on an SBA-guaranteed loan.