Small Business Banker Spotlight

Laura DiFilippo

Regional Banking Non-Profit Banking Director, Huntington Bank

1. How long have you worked in the Small Business Banking space?

I’ve spent over a decade in nonprofit banking and lending. In my current role at Huntington Bank, I focus specifically on serving smaller organizations. Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with mission‑driven organizations at every stage, from early growth grassroots organizations to established operations, helping them navigate both day‑to‑day banking needs and long‑term financial strategy.

2. Why small business banking?

Small business banking is where relationships truly matter, and that’s what drew me to this space. Small businesses and nonprofits are the agents for change in our communities. When we support them well, we’re not just providing financial services, we’re helping create jobs, expand access, and strengthen local impact. The nonprofit vertical is especially meaningful to me because these organizations are doing critical work every day. As a banker, I get to act as a partner and advisor – listening to their goals, understanding their challenges, and helping align financial solutions with their mission. That combination of relationship‑driven work and tangible community impact is incredibly motivating.

3. What are you looking forward to in the small business banking space this year?

This year, I’m particularly excited about continued innovation in how we support our nonprofit and small business clients. Technology is allowing us to help organizations operate more efficiently, all while keeping the human relationship and mission at the center. Within the nonprofit space, I’m also looking forward to deeper conversations around financial resilience, liquidity management, and strategic growth, especially as organizations continue adapting to funding and operational changes. It’s an exciting time to help clients think beyond transactional banking and focus on long‑term sustainability.

4. Could you share a success story from your time as a small business banker?

One of the most meaningful success stories from my career occurred during the COVID‑19 pandemic. I worked closely with a nonprofit organization whose operations were largely shut down almost overnight. During a period of extreme uncertainty, our focus was on helping the organization remain financially stable while continuing to serve their community. We worked together to reassess cash flow scenarios, adjust banking structures to account for delayed and modified grant funding, and access relief programs that helped bridge critical gaps. Just as important, we stayed in constant communication as guidance and funding rules evolved, helping leadership make informed decisions in real time. As a result, the nonprofit was able to maintain operations, retain staff, and ultimately emerge from the pandemic with stronger financial controls and a clearer funding strategy. Supporting an organization through that level of disruption – and seeing them continue their mission when it mattered most – reinforced why relationship‑driven small business and nonprofit banking is so impactful.