Rocco Perate
About Rocco Perate
Rocco Perate serves as the Senior Vice President of SBA Lending at Meridian Bank PA, where he has significantly contributed to the field of small business lending. He has a proven track record of funding over $1 billion in SBA loans and has held leadership positions at several banks, including Eagle National Bank and Square 1 Bank.
Work at Meridian Bank
Rocco Perate has served as Senior Vice President of SBA Lending at Meridian Bank in Pennsylvania since 2018. In this role, he focuses on developing and managing the bank's Small Business Administration lending initiatives. His leadership contributes to the bank's growth and reputation in the SBA lending sector within the Philadelphia and Malvern areas.
Education and Expertise
Rocco Perate earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Alvernia University, where he studied Political Science and Business from 1982 to 1986. He also pursued further studies at the University of Pennsylvania. His educational background supports his extensive expertise in SBA lending and finance.
Background
Rocco Perate has a diverse background in banking and finance, with significant experience in government-backed lending. He previously held the position of Executive Vice President at Square 1 Bank, where he initiated the bank's SBA and USDA lending programs nationwide. He also worked as SVP and Director of Government Guaranteed Lending at Beneficial Bank from 2014 to 2018.
Achievements
Rocco Perate has successfully developed and led various lending initiatives throughout his career. He established Eagle National Bank’s SBA Finance Group, which became the leading SBA lender in the Philadelphia region. He has funded over $1 billion in SBA loans, aiding thousands of small businesses and contributing to job retention and creation.
Previous Roles and Contributions
Before his current role, Rocco Perate was the founding Principal and President & CEO of Preferred Capital, a non-depository lending institution focused on SBA loan programs. He also coordinated the acquisition and turnaround of Business Credit Partners, an asset-based lender in Philadelphia, operating it until its sale in 2008.