Smarter Tools. Faster Funding. Same Personal Service.
Applying for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan can feel like a second job. Between gathering documents, waiting for updates, and decoding requirements, business owners often spend more time chasing paperwork than planning growth. That reality sparked our recent conversation (see the video at the top of this page) with Parlay Finance co-founders Alexandra McLeod and Jay Long, joined by Locality Bank’s Javier Jorge, about how smarter technology is helping small businesses get funded faster.
To put those ideas into action, Locality Bank has partnered with Parlay Finance to simplify the SBA lending process, giving business owners faster, clearer access to capital while keeping relationships at the center.
What This Means for Business Owners
Here’s what you can expect from Locality Bank’s new SBA lending experience:
- Faster decisions. Applications move through review sooner, so you can focus on running your business.
- Fewer surprises. The right documents are gathered early, reducing back-and-forth.
- More meaningful conversations. Your banker can spend time understanding your business, not chasing paperwork.
- A real relationship. Each loan is the start of a long-term partnership, not a one-off transaction.
With these improvements, small business owners get a simpler, more transparent path to funding without losing the personal touch that defines community banking.
What’s Changing and Why It Matters
Traditional SBA lending takes time. Weeks can pass before an application even reaches underwriting.
Parlay helps Locality Bank organize and verify loan files on the front end so bankers can focus on the business, not the back-and-forth.
“We built Parlay to take the friction out of small-business lending,” said McLeod, Parlay’s CEO. “Our goal is simple: help lenders serve more businesses faster without sacrificing the personal relationships that make community banking special.”
“Artificial intelligence should be an enabler, not a replacement,” added Long, Parlay’s COO. “It’s about freeing bankers to do what they do best, building trust and guiding clients while technology handles the repetitive work.”
For Locality Bank customers, this means faster responses, fewer surprises, and a process that feels easier from start to finish.
Technology That Supports Relationships
Artificial intelligence isn’t about removing people from the process. It’s about giving them time back.
“I want to focus more on value creation with my clients, not on document collection and data aggregation,” said Javier Jorge, EVP and Director of Government Guaranteed Lending at Locality Bank.
By reducing manual administrative work, Locality’s SBA team can spend more time assessing business potential, structuring loans, and helping clients prepare for long-term success.
“AI should handle the repetitive work so bankers can focus on what they do best,” Long said. “That combination is what makes the difference.”
Keeping Community Banks Competitive
Speed alone isn’t the goal. It’s about keeping community banks strong in a lending world that’s changing fast.
“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” said Jorge. “We need to adopt technology and do a better job of being quicker if we want to do what’s right for small businesses.”
McLeod agreed, noting that technology should strengthen the core mission, not replace it.
“Lending faster doesn’t mean lowering standards,” she said. “It means using smarter tools to deliver the same disciplined, relationship-driven lending at the pace modern businesses expect.”
The Bottom Line
When technology and community banking work together, the result is better service for everyone. Locality Bank’s SBA lending team now has the tools to make decisions faster, communicate clearly, and support more South Florida businesses than ever before.
It’s not just about faster loans. It’s about stronger relationships and more opportunities for local businesses to grow.
Explore SBA Lending with Locality Bank
Ready to grow your business with an SBA loan?
Learn more about how Locality Bank helps entrepreneurs access capital designed for long-term success.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this content is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Locality Bank makes no warranty, express or implied, nor assumes any legal liability or any responsibility for the accuracy, correctness, completeness, or any actions taken based on the information provided. Loan programs, terms, and requirements are subject to change. Deposit accounts are subject to account opening requirements. Always consult a qualified professional for specific guidance related to your situation.
