CoBiz Financial has promoted T.J. Kern to manage CoBiz Structured Finance. The department provides asset-based and private equity-sponsored loans to middle market businesses within the company's footprint.

Kern has almost three decades of experience in structured finance and commercial banking, including positions with JPMorgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, CoBank ACB and KeyBank. He has been with Colorado Business Bank for nine years and led acquisition financing activities for much of that time.

"We started this department to meet the needs for asset-based leveraged loans to lower middle market businesses which are underserved by the banking industry in our markets," said Scott Page, Colorado Business Bank market president. "We have been originating leveraged finance deals for almost 10 years at CoBiz and believe that this change in leadership will continue our momentum. TJ offers tremendous experience in leveraged lending as well as a strong reputation in the private equity space, our community and our bank. We are confident that TJ's leadership will allow us to serve the credit needs of more growing companies that are highly leveraged."

CoBiz Financial is a $2.6 billion financial services company that serves the complete financial needs of businesses, business owners and professionals in Colorado and Arizona.