Today Pathway has announced that Diego Eguiarte has been hired as senior vice president, director of small and emerging business lending.

In this role, Eguiarte will lead Pathway Lending’s efforts to expand access to capital for emerging small business markets, develop innovative and flexible lending products, and enhance the organization’s growing digital lending platform. By leveraging technology to streamline the loan process, Pathway aims to reduce barriers and accelerate funding for small businesses across Tennessee seeking loans under $100,000.

“Diego is here to help us strengthen our commitment to serve the smallest of emerging businesses with affordable capital,” said Clint Gwin, President and CEO of Pathway Lending. “With Diego’s experience, we’re positioned to accelerate Pathway’s impact and scale the number of small borrowers we serve.”

Eguiarte brings deep expertise in small business lending and customer-focused financial services, including his experience as founder of Nuestro, a financial technology startup dedicated to supporting underfunded entrepreneurs. Eguiarte, originally from Mexico City, moved to the United States 12 years ago and has a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Universidad lberoamericana. His background will help Pathway deepen its reach and responsiveness, providing businesses with revenues under one million dollars with faster, more flexible, and more accessible capital solutions. Pathway is committed to providing an alternative to high-cost options in the market that are delivered with ease of access and speed to ensure all entrepreneurs have access to the critical capital they need to advance their businesses.

“This is a pivotal moment for small business,” said Eguiarte. “At Pathway, we’re bringing together mission, technology and speed to create capital tools that truly meet entrepreneurs where they are and provide resources to help them grow.”

Small business owners in operation for one year or more can take the first step toward fast, flexible capital here.

About Pathway Lending

Pathway Lending is a Tennessee-based Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that propels economic growth in under-resourced communities. Since its establishment in 1999, Pathway has generated more than $1 billion in economic impact as a leading community-focused lender in the Southeast. Over the past 25 years and through its lending and advisory programs, Pathway has financed over 1,500 businesses, delivering more than $587 million in direct lending through its small business, affordable housing, and climate-related loan funds, plus investing $115 million in new markets tax credits. Pathway is committed to creating economic opportunity and lasting impact across Tennessee, serving businesses and communities in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and surrounding cities.

In 2024, Pathway funded $61.3 million in loan capital and provided 15,000 hours of education and coaching to 2,800 entrepreneurs. This funding supported 162 affordable multifamily housing units, 2,700 small business jobs and $386,000 in annual energy cost savings. To learn more about the entrepreneurs and communities that Pathway Lending serves, visit PathwayLending.org.