Opus Bank announced today the further expansion of its Commercial Banking team in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan region with the hires of two senior bankers. Nickolas Uhan, a 12-year banking veteran, has joined Opus as Managing Director, Senior Client Manager, and Rod Banks Jr., a 9-year banking and finance veteran, has joined Opus as Director, Client Manager.

Jim Haney, Executive Vice President, Head of Commercial Banking, stated, “We are pleased that Nick and Rod have joined Opus’ Arizona Commercial Banking team. Both are highly regarded banking veterans, each with a unique depth and breadth of experience structuring, originating, and underwriting asset-based, working capital, commercial real estate, and syndicated transactions, as well as delivering tailored treasury management solutions for middle-market companies, entrepreneurs, and business owners. I believe their experience will prove to be a significant differentiator as we expand our Commercial Banking coverage in the vibrant and diverse Phoenix metropolitan market.” Haney added, “I look forward to having the additional banker coverage in the Phoenix market and building upon the success Opus has already achieved having funded nearly $500 million of loans in the region in just the last three years.”

Uhan joins Opus most recently from Arizona Business Bank, where from 2011 he served as Vice President, Commercial Banker, and was focused on developing new client relationships with privately held middle market companies and originating working capital lines of credit, asset-based, and commercial real estate lending senior debt transactions. From 2006 to 2011, Uhan served with M&I Bank, most recently as Vice President, Commercial Banker, and was responsible for developing new conventional and SBA 504 and 7A lending opportunities. From 2008 to 2009, Mr. Uhan served as Business/Commercial Banking Analyst, during which time he performed portfolio analysis, collateral evaluation, cash flow analysis, budget forecasting, and covenant structuring on a $1 billion portfolio of owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied CRE loans. Uhan began his banking career in 2006 as a Credit Analyst. Uhan has a long history of serving his community, previously serving with Junior Achievement of Arizona, Arizona Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, and as a Member of the Board of the American Lung Association of Arizona. Uhan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master of Business Administration from the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Banks joins Opus most recently from RBI Private Investment, a single family office and private organization, where he served as a Principal of the firm and was responsible for all liquid fund management. From 2016 to 2017, Banks served with Centerstone SBA Lending, Inc. as Senior Vice President, Business Development Officer, and was responsible for developing new SBA 7A lending opportunities nationwide. From 2013 to 2016, Mr. Banks served with Spectrum Commercial Lending, as Vice President, Business Development Officer, where he focused on establishing new correspondent lending relationships and commercial loan growth. From 2011 to 2012, Banks served with Union Bank as Relationship Manager, where he focused on managing and growing a client portfolio of lower middle market companies and developing senior debt financing and treasury management opportunities. Banks began his banking career in 2009, as a Corporate Credit Analyst with US Bank. Banks holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Eller School of Management at the University of Arizona.