After launching its senior care lending division and hiring Adam Sherman (most recently of Blueprint Healthcare Real Estate Advisors and before that of RED Capital Group) as the new division’s industry expert late last year, Live Oak Bank just provided its first loan to a seniors housing property.

The bank (the second-largest SBA lender in the country) closed a $3.6 million SBA 7a construction loan for a private owner/operator to build a 24-unit memory care community in Springboro, Ohio (Cincinnati MSA). It came with a 24-month interest-only period and 26-year fully amortizing term. The bank is looking to grow this business in the seniors housing space, rather than the more-regulated skilled nursing market, and with its considerable balance sheet and new expertise (thanks to Mr. Sherman), we should hear more from them as the year goes on.