Joseph Bator, senior vice president and business banking director at Boston-based Eastern Bank, has been named the 2011 Massachusetts Financial Services Champion by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Financial Services Champion Award is presented annually to an individual who assists small businesses in obtaining financing either directly or through advocacy efforts to increase the availability of financial services, according to a statement. At Eastern Bank, Bator oversees the bank’s portfolio of business clients with revenue up to $10 million and lending needs of up to $3 million.

"Joe Bator and Eastern Bank have demonstrated through their phenomenal support and utilization of SBA programs that at they are true ‘champions’ of small business," said Robert H. Nelson, Massachusetts SBA District Director. "This is a bank that stepped up to the plate at a time when our small businesses were struggling through tough economic times and needed help the most. We are deeply honored to have such a committed lending partner and advocate of small business as Eastern Bank. This recognition is very deserving."