Rob Hughes joined First Federal Bank as president of its SBA lending division.

Hughes will lead the bank’s government guaranteed lending group, which offers U.S. Small Business Administration loan programs, as well USDA Business and Industry loans. First

Federal has SBA and USDA lending offices throughout Florida and in multiple states. Expansion of First Federal’s government guaranteed lending division supports the bank’s purpose to continue to provide stability to the surrounding communities.

Hughes most recently worked at SBA Works, a company he founded to assist banks in Georgia and Florida in government guaranteed lending. SBA Works has closed over $250 million in loans for banks in Georgia and Florida since 2011.

Hughes began his banking career in internal auditing and commercial lending before moving to government guaranteed lending.

“We welcome Rob to First Federal and look forward to his contributions in helping expand our capabilities and expertise in government guaranteed lending,” said Robert Turbeville, executive vice president and chief lending officer of First Federal. “Rob’s deep experience and solid business relationships in the industry will be assets in terms of both leadership and business development as we continue to grow our government guaranteed lending group. We look forward to him being a trusted advisor to our small business communities.”

Founded in 1962 in North Florida, First Federal Bank offers a full line of personal and business financial solutions, services and loans through its full-service banking offices in Florida, North Central Florida, and coastal South Carolina.