Barbara Morrison
Founder
Barbara Morrison, a Bay Area small business advocate and civic leader, is the founder and former president of TMC Financing, a certified Development Company that provides SBA commercial real estate financing.
In 1981, Barbara founded TMC Financing to provide access to affordable capital with the SBA 504 loan program for small business owners to purchase the real estate utilized by their business. From just 6 employees lending in the 9 Bay Area counties, TMC has grown into the largest CDC in the nation, providing financing for small businesses in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Hawaii.
In 2018, Barbara founded TMC Community Capital, an online, technology-based microlender. Since its inception, TMC Community Capital has disbursed over $7 million to approximately 350 businesses, providing crucial support to under-served entrepreneurs. Notably, 82% of the loans facilitated by TMC Community Capital supported entrepreneurs of color, while 56% benefited women-owned businesses and 75% aided business owners with low-to-moderate income levels.
Morrison developed her passion for small business economic development early in her career while serving as deputy director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development in San Francisco.
A former mayor and city council member for the city of Belvedere, Morrison has been widely recognized for her advocacy for women and small business owners, as well as the leadership she provided for many community organizations.
Currently, Barbara participates in several influential organizations, including the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and the International Women’s Forum (IWF). Her engagement in these organizations reflects her ongoing commitment to fostering economic growth, supporting entrepreneurship and helping local communities grow and thrive.
Awards & Accomplishments
1999 – Arthur Goodman Achievement and Diversity Award
2000 – US Small Business Administration, Small Business Advocate Award
2012 – Financial Women’s Association of San Francisco, Financial Woman of the Year
2014 – SF Business Times Forever Influential
2016 – YWCA Marin Women’s Hall of Fame
2017 – CREW Network, Industry Impact Award
2017 – SF Business Times, Most Admired CEO
2017 – Oakland Chamber of Commerce, Top East Bay Women Business Owners
2017 – Coleman Report, TMC named Main Street Lender of the Year
2021 – Top Lender Influencer, Globe St. Real Estate
2023 – TMC recognized as #1 SBA 504 lender in the nation for 3rd consecutive year
2024 – TMC named Bay Area Best Places to Work for 8th time (3rd consecutive year), SFBT
Professional Networks
TMC Community Capital, Board Member
Member of Sonoma Impact 100, co-chair of Finance Committee
Jack London Park, Board Member
Oakland Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee
International Women’s Forum (IWF), Member, Northern CA Chapter
Marin Theatre Company, Former Board Member
Presidio Bank (Now Heritage Bank), Former Advisory Board Member
Renaissance Entrepreneur Center, Former Founding Board Member
Harvard Kennedy School, Women and Public Policy Women’s Leadership Board, Former Board
Member
The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Former Board Member
Ceresa, Former Mentor