Steve Scott, vice president of commercial lending at Amesbury-based The Provident Bank, has been named 2008’s top SBA 504 Banker of New Hampshire by the Granite State Economic Development Corporation.

The SBA 504 loan program is designed to work in conjunction with commercial banks to provide 90% long-term, fixed-rate financing for small to medium sized businesses that provide employment opportunities to individuals.

"It is always a pleasure to work with Steve Scott because he is a well-seasoned commercial loan officer and he consults with us for our input.  He knows the SBA 504 program and explains its benefits to his customers," said Fred Palazzolo, vice president, loan officer of the Granite State Development Corporation, who presented the award to Scott. "His knowledge and experience enables him to provide us with the information we need to underwrite the loan offering so that we may expedite an approval for his customers."

Provident has branches in Amesbury and Newburyport, as well as three more in New Hampshire. Scott works out of the bank’s Portsmouth, N.H., branch.