Today, Akouba Credit is pleased to announce its latest SaaS collaboration: with Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust of Chicago. "Our partnership with Akouba affords us another way to enhance our service offering to existing customers and to expand further within the markets in which we operate," says Michael Rose, Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust, CEO. "Akouba is a particularly accretive partner in helping us to continue to successfully identify and fund Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") eligible loans quickly and with cost savings."

Akouba's platform helps lenders make small business loans more easily and efficiently in a way very few tech services can. Says Chris Rentner, Akouba Credit CEO, "We're excited to work with Metropolitan Capital Bank & Trust. Our platform makes it expedient for their CRA-eligible borrowers to obtain and track the progress of their loan."

The small business loan market (less than $250,000) is the second largest in the country. Tapping into this market helps small banks and community banks grow, while also strengthening relationships with current bank customers. In the past year, online small business loans have increased by more than 250%(1). Small business bank lending has decreased by 3%.(2)

"We work with banks so their loyal customers can stay where they feel comfortable, where they can enjoy a competitive interest rate, and also take advantage of modern benefits traditionally offered by online lenders," says Rentner. "Our platform makes it easier for banks to provide a frictionless experience for small loan applicants. And, in doing so, we're positioning banks to avail themselves of billions of dollars in small business loans."