UniBank, with branches in Western Mass., has been designated as a Small Business Administration (SBA) "Preferred Lender," according to a statement from the SBA. 

Under the Preferred Lenders Program (PLP), high-volume SBA lenders such as UniBank are delegated loan approval as well as closing and most servicing and liquidation authority, enabling them to make loan decisions more rapidly, according to the statement. 

The SBA generally assigns a loan number instantaneously for approved PLP loans submitted by participating lenders. To earn PLP designation, lenders must establish a successful track record and display a thorough understanding of SBA lending policies and procedures.