Gulf Coast Business Credit, a division of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, said it is celebrating its 15th anniversary as a leader in accounts receivable finance and asset-based lending solutions.

The following highlights were excerpted from the news release.

2000
Gulf Coast Bank’s President and CEO, Guy Williams, decided to expand the bank’s offerings by teaming up with one of the division founders, Wade Hladky, to add factoring and asset based lending. As a result, Gulf Coast Bank started the division we now recognize as GCBC.

2001

  • GCBC opened an operations office in Houston, TX.
  • GCBC hired Minaxi Chase, now Legal/Compliance manager.
  • Portfolio acquisition/s completed by GCBC.

2002

  • GCBC hired Darlene Creppel, now accounting manager.
  • Portfolio acquisition/s completed by GCBC.

2003
GCBC doubles the division employee count as a result of a local, Louisiana acquisition.

2004
Gulf Coast Bank reaches over $500 Million in total assets and 150 employees.

2005

  • Gulf Coast Bank hired Liz Evans, CIA, CAEF as the internal bank Auditor who joined the division as VP, operations manager 2011.
  • GCBC funds through Hurricane Katrina & Rita – With a dedicated staff and second redundant office in Houston, GCBC did not miss a beat. Funding was never a problem for clients, GCBC employees formed a closer bond than they ever had and GCBC became not just a company but a family.

2006
GCBC hired Meg Roberson, now SVP, national sales manager.

2007

  • GCBC opened an operations office in Baton Rouge, LA dedicated to the transportation industry and hired industry expert, Charles McDowell, as the Transportation Division president.
  • GCBC opened up a production office in Dallas, TX.
  • Portfolio acquisition/s completed by GCBC.

2008
Gulf Coast Bank hosts 1st Annual Auctions in August event and raises $50,000 to benefit over 50 non-profits. Currently in its 8th year, Auctions in August has featured unique items, such as Sandra Bullock’s 1963 Corvette Stingray, a Vintage 1959 Les Paul VOS Guitar, a Guided Black Buck Antelope Hunt and an African Safari.

2009
GCBC opened up a production office in Atlanta, GA.

2010
GCBC closed over 100 new transactions in one year and hit an all-time high, new deal record.

2011
Wade Hladky was promoted to president and CEO.

2012
GCBC opened up production offices in Hammond, LA and Denver, CO.

2013

  • GCBC implemented a new software platform.
  • Gulf Coast Bank hosted its 1st annual Community Rewards program. This program rewards $50,000 to the top 10 local non-profits voted on by the community.

2014

  • GCBC opened production and operations offices in Lafayette, LA, Corpus Christi, TX, San Antonio, TX and Oklahoma City, OK.
  • Portfolio acquisition/s completed by GCBC.
  • GCBC launched a new website.
  • Gulf Coast Bank reached $1 Billion in total assets.

2015

  • GCBC announced its 15th anniversary.
  • Gulf Coast Bank announced its 25th anniversary.
  • GCBC adds complementary products for clients in the trucking industry including a new fuel card & a new fuel discount program.

GCBC’s Division CEO, Wade Hladky, noted, “As we celebrate our 15th anniversary this year, it’s easy to see how much our organization has changed and the growth we have experienced, but our passion for helping small and middle market businesses succeed has remained strong.”