PORTLAND — The acting administrator of the Small Business Administration is stepping down.

Jeanne Hulit announced Thursday that she’s returning to Maine next month to serve as president of the Northeast Community Banking Division at Northeast Bank. Her last day at the SBA is Feb. 7.

She said Marianne Markowitz, regional administrator in the Midwest, will take on duties as acting director while waiting for the Senate to approve Maria Contreras-Sweet’s nomination.

Hulit served for five months after Karen Mills, also of Maine, stepped down last summer. She used to serve as leader of the SBA’s New England office and as associate administrator for SBA’s Office of Capital Access.