As we move further into the new year, I find myself reflecting on our growth as a company, and where ORMS fits into the larger picture of our resilient and remarkable industry.

2024 was another successful year for Outsourced Risk Management Services. Despite a volatile economy and challenging commercial real estate market, we experienced one of the best periods of growth in our history. This growth has enabled us to add to our outstanding team of professionals, allowing us to build out our expertise in areas like environmental reviews, ordering and reviewing reports, and appraisal reviews, and to enhance the range of services we offer our clients.

We are fortunate that demand for our services has continued to grow. Lending institutions of all types and sizes continue to seek out ORMS to help support their environmental risk management and collateral valuation needs in the face of evolving and expanding credit risks.

Today, ORMS is widely recognized as the best in the business for outsourced environmental risk management support and nationally known as the pre-eminent SBA lending risk management experts.

We have also expanded our network of environmental consultant and contractor partnerships to provide our clients with access to more due diligence options, including environmental and appraisal reviews, property condition assessments, construction risk management, and site visits.

A Surprise Award

The capstone of ORMS’ remarkable year of achievement was our unexpected recognition at the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL) Annual Conference in November. We were the recipients of the Association’s inaugural 2024 NAGGL Industry Solutions Award, presented at the spectacular 40^th Anniversary Gala in Las Vegas.

We are extremely proud of this recognition. NAGGL is the industry’s premier trade organization focused on advocacy and education in support of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) 7(a) Loan Program. Over the years, ORMS has learned a great deal from the Association and its leadership, and NAGGL’s events have offered our team a visible platform to share our knowledge and solutions with the SBA lending community, all of which enables us to serve our clients better.

This award serves to acknowledge ORMS’ tireless advocacy for prudent environmental due diligence and risk management within the SBA lending community, as well as our longstanding dedication to NAGGL and its members. Receiving this award has inspired our team with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to supporting the industry we know and love—SBA lending.  

A Commitment to Caring

When I decided to become a risk management professional a few decades ago (I won’t say how many at risk of dating myself), I had a goal of helping small businesses achieve their dreams. As ORMS has expanded and evolved our service offerings, I am proud of the small but critical role that we have played in helping small enterprises across the country obtain much-needed financing to grow their businesses.

I credit our success to what we at ORMS refer to as our “secret sauce.” This sauce has three key ingredients: developing meaningful, value-added relationships; putting clients first, always; and the power of gratitude.

Banking is an industry built on relationships, and since I founded ORMS 15 years ago, we have been committed to establishing deep, meaningful relationships with our clients, colleagues, industry partners, trade associations, and regulators. That’s the only way we know how to operate, and our relationships with well-respected players have allowed us to learn, respond, grow, and flourish.

Our commitment to putting clients first is every bit as critical, because we wouldn’t be here without our loyal customers. ORMS’ mission is to serve lenders across the industry, and by far my favorite part of the job is working with our great clients and friends.

Finally, never underestimate the power of gratitude. I am thankful every day for the role that ORMS plays in our clients’ lending operations. We don’t take your trust and loyalty for granted, and we never will.

From all of us here at ORMS, I wish you continued success and joy in all your endeavors.