Sterling National Bank announced the addition of six new bankers across core business units, highlighting the forward momentum and growth of the bank, both regionally and across key service lines.

On Long Island, Sterling has bolstered its team with the addition of four new senior bankers. Michael Varrone and James Whitehouse join as Senior Managing Directors and Senior Vice Presidents of Commercial Real Estate Lending. Additionally, Dennis Jurs and Brian Malone have been named Managing Directors and Vice Presidents of Commercial Banking. The four new members of Sterling’s team will focus on client relationship management and retention, as well as business development in the Long Island market.

Whitehouse was formerly First Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Officer at Long Island-based Hanover Community Bank. Varrone joins Sterling from People’s United Bank, where he was Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Multifamily and Commercial Real Estate Lending Division, focused on Suffolk County. Mr. Malone comes to Sterling from Capital One, where, as Vice President, he managed a portfolio of middle market commercial clients. Jurs’ previous experience includes ten years as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Jericho, NY-based New York Community Bank.

“We are excited to welcome Dennis, Brian, Michael and James to our rapidly-growing Long Island team,” said Ed Blaskey, Executive Vice President and Long Island Market President. “Each of them brings to the bank a deep understanding of the needs of middle market clients and strong skillsets in relationship management, which will be crucial as we continue to expand our presence.”

Sterling also announced two additions to its nationally-focused Specialty Finance business. Maryanne Lenardo has been appointed as Vice President and Managing Director of Payroll Finance, based in Los Angeles. Fred Weesner will serve as Managing Director and Senior Vice President of Asset-Based Lending, based in Denver. Lenardo’s primary responsibilities will include business development and developing treasury management relationships. Weesner will focus on evaluating and structuring prospective asset-based term loan opportunities.

Lenardo was most recently Senior Vice President of Originations at Far West Capital, where she worked with small businesses and entrepreneurs across the Western United States. Mr. Weesner joins Sterling from NBH Capital Finance where he was Managing Director of the Asset-Based Lending Group.

“Maryanne and Fred are important additions to our Specialty Finance team,” said Tom Geisel, Sterling’s EVP and President for Specialty Finance & National Markets. “Their respective experiences will help us more effectively identify new business opportunities, strengthen our existing relationships and allow us to provide deeper strategic insight to our clients.”