American Momentum Bank enters Birmingham market with key SBA lending hire

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Sept. 2, 2026 - PRLog -- American Momentum Bank has hired Elise Petras-Roper as vice president, business development officer III, as the bank continues the national expansion of its Small Business Administration (SBA) lending division. Based in Birmingham, Ala., Petras-Roper will originate Small Business Administration 7(a) loans of up to $5 million for businesses across the country, helping entrepreneurs secure financing to start, grow and strengthen their companies.

Petras-Roper brings 35 years of commercial banking experience to her new role, including 28 years specializing in SBA lending. During her career, Petras-Roper has provided more than $500 million in financing to businesses throughout the United States.

"Elise's decades of SBA lending experience, proven track record and passion for helping small businesses succeed make her an outstanding addition to our team," said Patrick Fenech, senior vice president and managing director of SBA lending at American Momentum Bank. "Her nationwide expertise and client-focused approach will further strengthen our SBA lending platform as we continue expanding our reach and supporting business owners across the country."

Her previous leadership roles include senior vice president and national SBA lender at Veritex Community Bank (now Huntington National Bank), senior vice president and market president at First Landmark Bank, vice president and national SBA lender at Colony Bank, senior account manager at GE Capital and corporate secretary at Highland Bank, which later became BancorpSouth.

Petras-Roper attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Her professional accomplishments include being named among The Victory Magazine's 2025 Most Influential Business Women of the Year and featured on the publication's cover. She previously served as a board member for a Georgia SBA Certified Development Company and remains active in community outreach through her local church, where she participates in seasonal charitable programs and teaches financial responsibility to high school students and young adults.

About American Momentum Bank

American Momentum Bank, a Texas-chartered banking association with total assets of $2.8 billion as of March 31, 2026, provides comprehensive products and services for businesses and individuals. American Momentum Bank has 18 full-service banking centers in Texas and eight full-service banking centers in Florida. American Momentum Bank's strong capitalization, superior asset quality and experienced management teams position it as one of the premier banks in each state. Visit www.americanmomentum.bank to learn more.