• Lender: Tyler Maragh of First Internet Bank 

• Location: National (with clients in New York, Boston, Orlando, Tampa, and more)  

• Deal size: Typically $150K–$1M+  

• The challenge: Navigating the SBA loan process for business acquisitions is notoriously complex. Deals often stall due to poor communication, misaligned expectations, or inefficient brokers. Both buyers and sellers risk losing time, money, and opportunity if transactions drag on or fall apart.
  

The challenges

Tyler Maragh, an experienced SBA 7(a) lender at First Internet Bank, has seen it all: deals that run smoothly and deals that go off the rails. He emphasizes that the SBA process is “never easy” - with multiple parties, emotions, and months of back-and-forth, the risk of friction is high.

Key pain points

1. Time kills deals: The longer a deal drags on, the less likely it is to close.

2. Buyer distraction: Buyers juggle due diligence and loan processing. If the loan process bogs down, so does their ability to understand and operate the business.

3. Broker bottlenecks: Bad brokers can be roadblocks, withholding information, miscommunicating, or letting ego get in the way - sometimes even disappearing until it’s time to collect a fee.

“There are good and bad brokers. The biggest differentiator is communication style. Bad brokers become a roadblock… or just disappear.”

Why Baton?

After working with Baton on several deals, Tyler immediately noticed a difference:

1. Transparent, proactive communication: “Baton is just a good broker - communication is clear, and the process is automated and simple.”

2. Easy access to documents: “The data room is set up, everything’s easy to download, I’m not chasing down paperwork.”

3. Collaborative approach: “They take the advice of lenders - rare for brokerages - and work to improve valuations and processes.”

4. Focus on quality: Baton screens deals for real marketability and works with lenders to ensure realistic cash flow and valuation.

Compared to listing sites like BizBuySell, which Tyler describes as “just stuff thrown out there,” Baton’s curated approach and willingness to listen to lender feedback stand out.

From “hello” to close

Here’s what a typical Baton-SBA lender journey looks like:

1. Valuation & preparation:  Baton provides a data-backed valuation and assembles a complete, lender-ready package for the business.

2. Buyer & seller alignment: Baton’s advisors work with sellers to clarify deal terms and expectations, ensuring all parties are on the same page from the outset.

3. Streamlined buyer outreach: Baton leverages its buyer pool, multiple marketplaces, and direct outreach to find qualified buyers.

4. SBA lending process: Tyler and his team facilitate the loan, relying on Baton’s organized documentation and responsive communication to keep things moving.

5. Managing the hiccups: Even when deals hit bumps, Baton’s team works collaboratively with lenders and buyers to resolve issues, rather than letting ego or miscommunication derail the process.

6. Closing: With all parties aligned and the process managed efficiently, deals close faster and with fewer headaches.

Results & reflections

For sellers:  

1. Fewer surprises and smoother negotiations.  

2. A higher likelihood of closing on time and on terms.

For buyers:

1. Less time wasted chasing documents or clarity.  

2. More time to focus on due diligence and preparing to run the business.  

3. Higher confidence in the process and the deal.

For lenders:  

1. A true partner in the process, not a roadblock.  

2. “Baton is becoming better and better… taking advice and improving the process. It’s mind-blowing and appreciated.”
   

Lessons learned

1. Communication is everything in business acquisitions: A broker who keeps everyone informed and aligned is worth their weight in gold.  

2. Process matters: Automation, organization, and responsiveness make deals smoother for everyone.  

3. Collaboration beats ego: Brokers who listen to lenders and adapt are rare - and they get better results.
   

“Baton is a great company to deal with. They deliver on their promises and make the process smoother for everyone involved.”