James Kahler

EVP - Director of Operations Gulf Coast Small Business Lending

Jim Kahler has been active in SBA lending since 1994. With over 30 years’ experience, he has worked in all aspects of SBA lending, from origination, to underwriting, to closing/funding to servicing and liquidations. He has a great deal of knowledge and understanding of the SBA Standard Operating Procedures. Currently, he is EVP – SBA Director of Operations for Gulf Coast Small Business Lending, a division of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company. Jim has his Master of Business Administration in Marketing as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management/Entrepreneurship from Baylor University. In addition to his normal work responsibilities, he was the President of the North Texas Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NTAGGL) for 2014 through 2015. He was the Chairman of the Board through 2017. He has held several officer positions with NTAGGL and is one of the original founding members of NTAGGL. He has been the Chair or Co-Chair for the Mid-America Lender’s Conference and Chair or Co-Chair for the Education Committee multiple times. Jim is currently the Committee Chair for the NAGGL Region 6 Lenders Committee. He has held this position for the last 3 years. He is also a member of the NAGGL Small Lender Committee and has been on this Committee for 5 years. He is very active in small business lending and is a member of North Texas SBDC Advisory Board, is a regular guest speaker for the SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative (formerly E200) and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business (10KSB) program. Jim has moderated or taught multiple training courses on SBA lending and was a speaker at the 2014 Mid-America Lender’s Conference. He has also been a speaker several times for the Federal Reserve Bank at their Forum for Community Bank Examiners.

FROM TRANSACTIONS TO RELATIONSHIPS: ELEVATING CX IN A TRUST-DRIVEN ERA

2:15 PM Panel: Investing in Tools and Teams to Strengthen Small Business Banking

Small businesses are the backbone of local economies, but meeting their unique banking needs requires tailored strategies and innovative solutions. This panel will explore how banks and credit unions can strengthen their small business banking offerings to drive growth, deepen relationships, and create long-term value for both the institution and the businesses they serve. Industry leaders will share insights into designing specialized products, streamlining loan processes, and leveraging technology to provide personalized support for small business owners. The discussion will also address challenges such as building in the processes and features that can small business clients, balancing risk management with accessibility, and delivering seamless service across channels. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to position their institutions as indispensable partners to small businesses in their communities.

Building products and services tailored to small business needs
Streamlining approvals and improving access to credit for small businesses
Leveraging data and technology to deliver personalized support and advice

3:40 PM Fireside Chat: Best Practices for Elevating Mortgages and Lending

Digital lending platforms are transforming access to credit—but overcoming risks, streamlining processes without losing personalization, and addressing customer skepticism remain key challenges today! Angela Aguirre, SVP Member Experience, and Digital at Smart CU, will be bringing her passion for lending to the table alongside Smart CU’s forward-thinking approach to online lending to give you a view into how to make the most out of your loan lines. Join this fireside chat for actionable solutions for:

Integrating digital lending partners, platforms, automation and AI for underwriting, and more
Simplifying loan application processes without sacrificing personalization
Overcoming customer skepticism about digital lending services
Transforming digital lending to serve more customers quicker, and responsibly

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining James.

Download The Latest Agenda