Jared Johnson is a Vice President at First Internet Bank, one of the most active SBA lenders serving the self-funded search and small business acquisition community. Jared has helped structure and close dozens of SBA 7(a) loans for acquisition transactions, giving him deep insight into what banks require — and where deals fall apart before they ever reach the closing table.

At SMBash 2026, Jared brings the lender's perspective to searchers and operators navigating debt financing. He covers how banks evaluate acquisition opportunities, what SBA loan structures look like in practice, and the specific documentation and financial metrics that make or break loan approval. If you're planning to use debt to acquire a business, this is a session you can't afford to miss.