INTERVIEW: Celtic Bank CEO Reese Howell on how small banks like Celtic have delivered jobs and economic growth across America
One of President Donald Trump’s top domestic policy focuses has been expanding Americans’ access to capital, especially as Republicans work to convince Americans that they are best-positioned to solve the affordability crises that were kickstarted under President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats.
One of the banks at the forefront of that work is not a household name, but its CEO, Reese Howell, explained in an interview with the Washington Reporter how Celtic Bank has become one of America’s top small business lenders.
Howell sees his company as being at the forefront of “advancing those objectives for many years,” he said. “Our SBA and government-guaranteed lending programs are specifically designed to increase access to capital for businesses that may not otherwise qualify for conventional financing. Through those programs, we have financed thousands of small businesses across the country and helped entrepreneurs invest in their companies, employees, and communities. We also provide financing to a wide range of industries that are critical to economic growth, including manufacturing, healthcare, franchise businesses, renewable energy, construction, transportation, and rural development.”
“Our lending platform supports businesses in communities of all sizes, from major metropolitan areas to rural markets,” Howell continued. “We believe economic growth is strongest when entrepreneurs have access to capital, regulatory frameworks are clear and predictable, and financial institutions can innovate responsibly. Celtic Bank intends to continue being a trusted source of financing that helps businesses invest, expand, and create jobs in America.”
Howell explained how Celtic Bank has helped “thousands of businesses [obtain] financing over the last two decades.”
“We have helped healthcare operators expand assisted-living and skilled nursing facilities that provide essential services and create local employment opportunities,” he added. “We have financed franchise operators opening new locations that generate jobs in communities across the country. We have supported manufacturers purchasing equipment and expanding production capacity. We have financed businesses in rural communities through USDA programs that stimulate local economic development and infrastructure investment.”
Howell said that “statistic that speaks to our impact is that Celtic has provided more than $6 billion in SBA financing to over 10,000 small businesses during the past twenty years, creating tens of thousands of jobs in every state in the country.”
“We have consistently ranked among the nation’s leading SBA lenders and were recognized as the nation’s top community bank 504 lending partner in fiscal year 2025,” he added. “Those successes demonstrate that access to capital remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic opportunity. When businesses have the resources to invest and grow, the benefits extend to employees, families, and entire communities.”
Looking to the future, Howell is optimistic that technology will help his company, and others, remain at the cutting edge; but he cautioned that technology-driven innovation “cannot come at the expense of risk management.” Celtic Bank, he said, offers lessons to how companies can navigate technological turbulence down the road. “We have invested heavily in compliance, third-party risk management, governance, cybersecurity, servicing capabilities, and operational controls,” he said. “As our business has evolved, we have continued to strengthen the infrastructure necessary to support growth responsibly. Our philosophy is simple: use technology to make banking better for customers while maintaining the discipline and accountability expected of a regulated financial institution.”
But, overall, he explained that “technology has become one of the most important tools available to improve the customer experience. Our investments have focused on making financing faster, more efficient, and more accessible while maintaining strong controls and compliance standards. Celtic Bank combines traditional banking expertise with modern technology platforms that streamline application processing, underwriting, servicing, and payments. We have also developed strategic partnerships that allow us to reach customers nationwide while leveraging scalable technology and distribution channels.”
Below is a transcript with Celtic Bank’s CEO, Reese Howell, lightly edited for clarity.
Washington Reporter:
Celtic Bank has grown into one of the country’s leading small business lenders, a top priority for the Trump administration. What is the bank’s mission today, and how does that mission translate into helping entrepreneurs and job creators across America?
Reese Howell:
Celtic Bank’s mission is straightforward: help businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities access the capital they need to grow while operating in a safe, sound, and responsible manner. Our purpose is to create long-term value for our customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities we serve by delivering high-quality financial solutions and exceptional service.
For more than two decades, we have focused on serving markets that are often underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly small and medium-sized businesses. Whether it is a family-owned business purchasing its first building, a healthcare provider expanding services, a manufacturer investing in equipment, or an entrepreneur launching a new venture, our goal is to provide access to capital that creates jobs, strengthens local economies, and helps businesses succeed.
At the end of the day, small businesses are responsible for a significant portion of job creation in America. When we make a loan, we are not simply financing a transaction. We are helping an entrepreneur hire employees, buy equipment, expand operations, and invest in the future.
Washington Reporter:
The Trump administration has emphasized expanding access to capital, supporting small businesses, and bringing manufacturing and investment back to the United States. How does Celtic Bank see itself contributing to those priorities?
Reese Howell:
Celtic Bank has been advancing those objectives for many years. Our SBA and government-guaranteed lending programs are specifically designed to increase access to capital for businesses that may not otherwise qualify for conventional financing. Through those programs, we have financed thousands of small businesses across the country and helped entrepreneurs invest in their companies, employees, and communities. We also provide financing to a wide range of industries that are critical to economic growth, including manufacturing, healthcare, franchise businesses, renewable energy, construction, transportation, and rural development. Our lending platform supports businesses in communities of all sizes, from major metropolitan areas to rural markets. We believe economic growth is strongest when entrepreneurs have access to capital, regulatory frameworks are clear and predictable, and financial institutions can innovate responsibly. Celtic Bank intends to continue being a trusted source of financing that helps businesses invest, expand, and create jobs in America.
Washington Reporter:
Can you share a few examples of businesses or communities that have benefited from Celtic Bank’s lending, and what those success stories say about the bank’s broader impact?
Reese Howell:
Celtic Bank’s impact can be measured through the thousands of businesses we have helped finance over the last two decades. We have helped healthcare operators expand assisted-living and skilled nursing facilities that provide essential services and create local employment opportunities. We have financed franchise operators opening new locations that generate jobs in communities across the country. We have supported manufacturers purchasing equipment and expanding production capacity. We have financed businesses in rural communities through USDA programs that stimulate local economic development and infrastructure investment.
One statistic that speaks to our impact is that Celtic has provided more than $6 billion in SBA financing to over 10,000 small businesses during the past twenty years, creating tens of thousands of jobs in every state in the country! We have consistently ranked among the nation’s leading SBA lenders and were recognized as the nation’s top community bank 504 lending partner in fiscal year 2025. Those successes demonstrate that access to capital remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic opportunity. When businesses have the resources to invest and grow, the benefits extend to employees, families, and entire communities.
Washington Reporter:
Many community and regional banks say they face increasing regulatory burdens. What policy changes would make it easier for banks like Celtic to lend more, serve more customers, and strengthen local economies?
Reese Howell:
Safety and soundness must always remain the foundation of the banking system, and strong regulation plays an important role in maintaining public confidence. However, there are opportunities to modernize regulations in ways that preserve consumer protections while improving efficiency. First, regulatory consistency and clarity are essential. Banks operate most effectively when expectations are well defined, predictable, and applied consistently.
Second, policymakers should continue looking for ways to reduce duplicative or outdated compliance requirements that consume resources without improving customer outcomes or reducing risk. Those resources could instead be directed toward lending, technology investments, customer service, and economic development.
Finally, it is important that regulatory frameworks recognize innovation and support responsible partnerships that expand access to credit. Properly governed financial innovation can improve efficiency, expand financial inclusion, and lower costs for consumers and businesses.
Our view is that good policy should encourage responsible lending, support innovation, protect consumers, and strengthen the ability of banks to serve their communities.
Washington Reporter:
Technology is changing banking rapidly. How has Celtic Bank used innovation to improve customer service while maintaining strong risk management and regulatory compliance?
Reese Howell:
Technology has become one of the most important tools available to improve the customer experience. Our investments have focused on making financing faster, more efficient, and more accessible while maintaining strong controls and compliance standards. Celtic Bank combines traditional banking expertise with modern technology platforms that streamline application processing, underwriting, servicing, and payments. We have also developed strategic partnerships that allow us to reach customers nationwide while leveraging scalable technology and distribution channels.
Importantly, innovation cannot come at the expense of risk management. We have invested heavily in compliance, third-party risk management, governance, cybersecurity, servicing capabilities, and operational controls. As our business has evolved, we have continued to strengthen the infrastructure necessary to support growth responsibly. Our philosophy is simple: use technology to make banking better for customers while maintaining the discipline and accountability expected of a regulated financial institution.
Washington Reporter:
Looking ahead, what opportunities are you most excited about for Celtic Bank over the next several years, and how do you hope the bank will continue creating economic opportunity for American families, entrepreneurs, and communities?
Reese Howell:
I believe the biggest opportunity is the continued convergence of traditional banking, technology, and entrepreneurship. Businesses increasingly expect financial solutions that are faster, more efficient, and tailored to their unique needs. Celtic Bank is well positioned to meet those expectations because we combine a strong banking foundation with a culture of innovation. We are excited about opportunities to expand our support for small businesses, continue growing our specialty commercial finance platform, deepen our involvement in government-guaranteed lending programs, and responsibly develop new technology-enabled financial solutions.
Our long-term vision remains unchanged. We want Celtic Bank to be a trusted partner for entrepreneurs and business owners as they build companies, create jobs, and strengthen their communities. If we continue helping customers achieve their goals, we will continue creating economic opportunity for American families and supporting the growth of a vibrant and resilient economy.
