National Funding Names Rob Rosenblatt to Head Digital Lending Division

Aiming to serve significantly more small businesses, specialty finance company National Funding has hired Rob Rosenblatt as president of its new digital lending division, called Business Loan Center.

Rosenblatt most recently served as CEO of alternative lender Behalf. Before that, he was general manager of lending at Kabbage, headed cobranding and membership awards alliances at American Express, and led cardholder loyalty and innovation for Chase, National Funding said Tuesday (Nov. 1) in a press release.

“Rob’s appointment to head up this new division demonstrates our growing investment in providing lending solutions that enhance the ability of SMBs [small- to medium-sized businesses] to grow and prosper,” National Funding Founder and CEO Dave Gilbert said in the release.

“His mission is to create high-value offerings that leverage the power of big data and leading-edge underwriting for SMBs via the digital ecosystem,” Gilbert said.

National Funding provides financing for SMBs. With the launch of the Business Loan Center, it is developing new lending solutions for the segment that are digital and mobile-focused, according to the press release.

“I am delighted to be heading up the new Business Loan Center,” Rosenblatt said in the release. “My experience has shown me that SMBs have a constant need for capital, in particular via digital channels.”

Small business owners are so pressed for time that faster access to financing can be a significant selling point for potential borrowers, Gilbert told PYMNTS in an October 2018 interview.

At the same time, Gilbert added, these companies need credibility and a “well-established reputation.” Alternative finance players can contribute to the development of their own reputations through being transparent about their rates, fees and contractual terms, he said.

“Transparency and speed,” Gilbert said at the time. “Transparency is the key to standing out in the cluttered SMB market.”