Opus Bank announced today the expansion of its Commercial Banking team with the hires of Tim Claridge and Tony Yee, each joining Opus as Managing Director, Senior Client Manager. Claridge, a 21-year banking veteran, is responsible for further expanding Opus’ commercial and corporate client base in the Tacoma and Olympia markets. Yee, a 22-year banking and finance veteran, is responsible for further expanding Opus’ commercial and corporate client base in the Seattle/Puget Sound region.

John Norawong, Senior Managing Director, Commercial Banking, stated, “We are pleased that Tim and Tony have joined Opus Bank’s Commercial Banking team in the Seattle/Puget Sound region. I’m confident that Tim and Tony’s over 40 years of combined experience structuring and delivering tailored senior debt financing, depository, treasury, and cash management solutions to entrepreneurs, business owners, and lower-middle and middle market companies will be immediately beneficial to Opus’ clients who have a vision to expand and grow.” Mr. Norawong added, “I look forward to the additional coverage in the vibrant Puget Sound market and anticipate that Tim and Tony will quickly add to the productivity and success of our Commercial Banking division as we grow the division’s client base and loan origination volumes in the Pacific Northwest.”

Claridge joins Opus most recently from Columbia Bank, where from 2014 he served as Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer. While at Columbia, Mr. Claridge was responsible for managing and growing a portfolio of middle market commercial clients in the South Sound markets of Tacoma and Olympia. From 2006 to 2014, Claridge served as Senior Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer at Timberland Bank, where he led a team of bankers focused on Commercial and Industrial and Commercial Real Estate Lending in the South Sound area. From 2005 to 2006, Mr. Claridge served as Vice President, Business Relationship Manager at Key Bank, N.A., where he was responsible for developing and growing a portfolio of lower middle market clients. From 2002 to 2005, Claridge served as Vice President, Branch Manager and Business Loan Officer at First Utah Bank, N.A., where he was responsible for originating C&I and SBA senior debt transactions. Claridge began his career in 1996 at Key Bank, N.A. where he served as Assistant Vice President. Claridge holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Utah and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Colorado.

Yee joins Opus most recently from Umpqua Bank, where from 2014 he served as Vice President, Corporate Relationship Manager. While at Umpqua Bank,  Yee was responsible for managing and growing a $100MM portfolio of middle market and upper middle market commercial clients across western Washington. From 2013 to 2014, Mr. Yee served as Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager at Union Bank, where he was focused on building client relationships with and providing financial solutions to upper middle market companies in the Pacific Northwest. From 2007 to 2013, Yee served as Vice President, Senior Credit Officer at Bank of the West, where he was responsible for analyzing, structuring, and underwriting senior term credits and relationship management, focusing on middle market clients in Washington. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Yee served as Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer at Columbia Bank, where he was responsible for originating commercial, industrial, and commercial real estate debt transactions. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Yee served as Vice President, Syndicated Finance Credit Manager at Washington Mutual Bank. From 1999 to 2001, Yee served as Assistant Vice President, Large Corporate Portfolio Manager at Key Bank, N.A. Yee began his banking and finance career in 1995 at GE Capital in their executive training program serving as financial analyst, marketing analyst, and credit analyst. Yee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Washington.