James Valete Named President of Q2 Business Capital

On September 27, 2021, Q2 Business Capital (“Q2”), a premier SBA 7(a) lender that provides world-class service to its clients, has appointed James (“Jim”) Valete to the position of President. Jim’s passion for leadership in SBA lending delivers a new energy and strategic focus to Q2, thereby leading it to new heights and successes. Jim replaces John Handmaker at the top of Q2, following Handmaker’s retirement earlier this year.

Q2 is the wholly-owned, SBA-lending focused subsidiary of First Savings Bank (“Bank”) and a key component of the publicly-traded company’s (NASDAQ: “FSFG”) continued growth. Jim will serve the Bank as Executive Vice President, Chief SBA Lending Officer and will closely work with Larry Myers (President & CEO) and Tony Schoen (EVP, CFO).

Commenting on Jim’s commencement of employment, Larry Myers stated “We at the Bank and Q2 are very excited to have Jim join the organization, where his talents are well received and will be quickly deployed. His experience and vigor will enhance the culture, processes, client experience and growth opportunities for our organization.”

Jim is joining Q2 from Busey Bank where he served as Executive Vice President – Director of Business Banking & Government Guaranteed Lending and focused on SBA 7(a) lending. During his nine years at Busey, he also served as the Senior Credit Officer for Business Banking & Middle Market Banking. While in this role he identified Busey’s opportunity for a niche SBA 7(a) lending program, which he created in 2016 and developed in subsequent years. Prior to his tenure at Busey, Jim’s three-decade career in banking has included roles as Chief Credit Officer at Stearns Bank, N.A. and founder/president of a De Novo bank, plus other prominent roles in credit administration, management of lending teams and special assets management.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1984 and his Master of Business Administration from DePaul University in Chicago in 1989. He and Carrie, his wife of twenty-eight years, currently reside in Champaign, Illinois but are in the process of relocating to their new home in Pinehurst, North Carolina.