HOPE Announces Promotion of Ralph Brown to Vice President of Small Business Lending

JACKSON, MS – Ralph Brown has been promoted to Vice President of Small Business Lending for Hope Enterprise Corporation/Hope Credit Union (HOPE), after serving as a commercial credit analyst for the Commercial Lending division.

In his new role, Brown will oversee small business loan production and portfolio performance that includes underwriting, approval, closing, and servicing as HOPE expands financial access to entrepreneurs across its Deep South footprint that includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. 

One of Brown’s primary responsibilities will be expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs of color. HOPE is a partner in the Wells Fargo Works for Small Business®: Diverse Community Capital (DCC) program, a collaboration to empower diverse small business owners with greater access to capital and training and to spark small business growth across the country.

Brown has 15 years of combined experience in banking, credit analysis, finance and business development, after previously serving as an assistant vice president at Regions Bank in Ridgeland, Miss.; senior branch manager for Magnolia Federal Credit Union in Jackson, Miss.; and credit manager at Wells Fargo Financial in Columbus, Miss.

Brown earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Belhaven University and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University.