CLIMB Fund names Anthony Weston chief lending and credit officer

By AI, Created 5:33 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – CLIMB Fund has appointed Anthony Weston as chief lending and credit officer to strengthen lending, credit and portfolio operations across South Carolina. The move is meant to improve access to capital for small businesses as the nonprofit lender expands its statewide reach.

Why it matters: - CLIMB Fund is adding executive leadership to strengthen how the nonprofit lends, manages credit and supports borrowers. - The move is designed to improve access to capital for small businesses across South Carolina. - CLIMB Fund is also trying to align underwriting, borrower support and portfolio performance under one leadership role.

What happened: - CLIMB Fund announced Anthony Weston as its new chief lending and credit officer on May 14, 2026. - The organization said the role is intended to support the next phase of its statewide impact. - Weston will oversee lending and credit operations for the South Carolina-based nonprofit lender. - The appointment comes as CLIMB Fund continues to expand its leadership capacity and internal systems.

The details: - Weston will bring underwriting, borrower support and portfolio management into closer alignment. - CLIMB Fund described itself as South Carolina’s leading nonprofit small business lender and the state’s most prolific small business microlender. - Weston previously served as senior community development loan officer at the South Carolina Community Loan Fund. - Weston also worked as senior business banker at Ameris Bank and commercial loan officer at Grow Financial. - CLIMB Fund said Weston will help advance lending strategy, strengthen credit operations, optimize portfolio performance and improve the borrower experience from application through repayment. - CLIMB Fund is a state and federally certified Community Development Financial Institution. - The organization provides responsible lending, technical assistance and community-centered support to entrepreneurs and small businesses across South Carolina. - CLIMB Fund said it has delivered more than 15,000 hours of technical assistance. - CLIMB Fund said it has helped create more than 8,000 jobs statewide.

Between the lines: - The appointment signals a push to professionalize and scale the nonprofit’s lending platform as demand for flexible capital remains high for businesses that face barriers to traditional financing. - Weston’s background in both mission-driven lending and traditional banking suggests CLIMB Fund wants deeper credit discipline alongside borrower-facing support. - The leadership change also reflects an emphasis on building a more resilient lending ecosystem, not just increasing loan volume.

What’s next: - Weston will help guide CLIMB Fund’s lending strategy as the organization works to expand access to opportunity for entrepreneurs across South Carolina. - The nonprofit will continue pairing loans with technical assistance as part of its statewide small business support model. - CLIMB Fund expects the new structure to strengthen long-term community impact and borrower outcomes. - Weston said he is excited to join an organization committed to expanding access to opportunity for businesses across South Carolina.