Ares Commercial Finance (ACF) announced that James Paterson has joined as Managing Director, Business Development Officer in Los Angeles, where he will focus on originating asset-based lending opportunities on the West Coast. Paterson reports to John Nooney, Managing Director at ACF.

Paterson joins Ares from PNC Bank, where he was a Senior Vice President, Business Development in the Business Credit Group. He focused on originating asset-based lending opportunities in the middle market in Southern California. Previously, Paterson was a Vice President, Business Development at CIT, where he was responsible for originating middle market, asset-based lending opportunities in Southern California and leading the business development efforts of CIT's supply chain finance capability across the US. In addition, Paterson has worked in both Los Angeles and New York at Credit Suisse First Boston, Donaldson, Lukfin & Jenrette, GE Capital, Jefferies & Co. and Ocean Capital Partners.

ACF is the asset-based lending team of Ares Management Corporation.  ACF is focused on providing credit facilities ranging from $10 million to $150 million to middle market and lower-middle market, private and public companies; and addresses a wide scope of industries including manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, retail and service companies.