Testimonial

I am deeply grateful to Sheela Prahlad and the entire team at First State Bank for their invaluable support and unwavering commitment to our growth journey. When we first connected with Sheela in 2019 to establish KLA Schools of Naperville, her guidance and expertise in navigating the SBA 504 loan process allowed us to open our doors seamlessly. Her attention to detail ensured we began with a strong foundation.

During the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many small businesses like ours struggled to find support from large banks, Sheela stood by us as an ally. Thanks to her proactive efforts in securing PPP loans for not just our Naperville School, but also our Plainfield School which was financed by another bank, we were able to retain our entire team on payroll, serve our school families with e-learning. This stability enabled us to rebuild successfully and, soon after, expand to our third location, Naperville West.

Sheela’s meticulous nature—ensuring every 't' is crossed and every 'i' is dotted—has been instrumental in guiding our financial decisions. Her commitment to our success goes beyond business; it speaks to a profound kindness and genuine care for our team and our mission. As we embark on the Prosperita Naperville and Orion STEM Schools project, we feel fortunate to have First State Bank by our side once again.

First State Bank exemplifies a unique blend of professionalism, compassion, and dedication to small businesses. They streamline the financing process so that we, as entrepreneurs, can focus on what matters most—serving our community and achieving our vision. We are sincerely grateful and owe much of our success to Sheela and the First State Bank team and look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.