As Bank of the West approaches its two-year anniversary in Chicago, it announced that Phil Kain, a well-respected specialist in the development of leveraged finance loans for middle-market private equity sponsors, joins Bank of the West as director of the bank's Private Equity Group. 

Capitalizing on his more than 18 years of experience, in his new role Kain will be responsible for covering middle market private equity groups across the country, developing new business opportunities in financing private equity portfolio companies, structuring and underwriting transactions, and growing the bank's overall private equity practice.

Bank of the West's Private Equity Group, led by John Thurston since 2011, has a track record of more than a decade of developing strong relationships with middle market private equity sponsors across the United States. The Private Equity Group offers lending, capital markets, cash management, trade financing, international services, and other solutions to private equity-owned companies nationally.

"We are delighted to announce the addition of Phil Kain to further grow the Bank's Private Equity Group," said John Thurston, managing director and area manager of the bank's Commercial Coverage Group. "Phil has a long history of building strong and deep relationships with private equity sponsors around the country and leading the financing of their portfolio companies. Phil is a great addition to our team."

Prior to joining Bank of the West, Kain spent nine years at Fifth Third Bank, where he led teams in its Structured Finance Group that engaged primarily in the origination of acquisition financing deals.

Kain holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, in addition to degrees from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Nevada.

Bank of the West's Commercial Banking Group (CBG) team meets the rapidly changing needs of growing businesses with annual revenues of $25 million and higher. CBG helps businesses achieve their unique visions by delivering smart and comprehensive solutions that fuel sustainable growth. With specialized sector expertise, CBG anticipates and tackles the challenges businesses face in industries including agriculture, commercial real estate, manufacturing and religious institutions. CBG offers clients the best of both worlds: the personalized relationships and community ties of a local bank backed by the international capabilities of BNP Paribas, one of the world's strongest financial groups.