BHI, a full-service commercial bank, announced that it has appointed Jeff Lubatkin as Chief Credit Officer, overseeing the bank’s credit and credit analysis departments. Lubatkin has more than 25 years of commercial and corporate banking, credit risk management, and relationship management experience.

“Jeff is a respected executive with an extensive commercial banking career and highly specialized knowledge in credit and risk management. He will greatly complement the exceptional capabilities of our credit team and we all look forward to working with him,” said Yair Talmor, BHI Interim CEO.

“Bank Hapoalim continues to support and encourage the growth of BHI. We believe Jeff’s management and credit experience will be invaluable to the bank’s continued success,” said Amir Bachar, Bank Hapoalim - Chief Risk Officer.

Prior to joining BHI, Lubatkin served as Chief Credit Officer for Commercial Banking and Head of Commercial Banking for New Jersey at Santander Bank. Previously, he spent more than eight years at Royal Bank of Scotland and Citizens Bank, where he held successive positions of increased responsibility, ultimately serving as Citizens Bank Chief Credit Officer of Commercial Banking.

Lubatkin spent the prior 11 years at JPMorgan Chase and its predecessor organizations, First Chicago NBD and Bank One, where his responsibilities included serving as Senior Credit Executive responsible for Chase’s Northeast mid-corporate business. He also held the position of Senior Relationship Manager at Bank of America, covering the middle market in the New York City metro area.

Lubatkin holds a BA in economics from the University at Albany and an MBA in finance from Fordham University. He is a CFA charter holder.