Bank of the West announced that it is rapidly expanding its commercial banking team in 2013 to meet increased demand for its products and services. Following a strong 2012 in which its commercial and industrial loans grew 20 percent, Bank of the West intends to add 50 team members to its National Banking Division this year to support growth among middle-market companies.

"Middle-market companies are a vital segment of the economy and a strategic priority for Bank of the West. Large and mid-size companies value our relationship banking approach and our broad offering of commercial products and services," said Mark Glasky, Manager of Bank of the West's National Banking Division.

The National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) estimates that the U.S. middle market added an estimated $650 billion in new revenue and more than 1 million jobs in 2012 and is poised to add an estimated $520 billion in new revenues and 1 million new jobs in 2013.

"In 2012, we saw a rising need for credit and deposit products among middle-market companies, and that is continuing in 2013," Glasky said. "We are expanding our team of talented bankers to meet the demand for our full range of commercial banking services, including international banking solutions, cash management, corporate card services and capital markets products."

Bank of the West is adding bankers in a number of metropolitan markets, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, Denver and Chicago. As part of the growth initiative, the bank intends to open new commercial banking offices this year in several key metropolitan markets.

Founded in 1874, $63 billion-asset Bank of the West, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender, offers a full range of personal, commercial, wealth management and international banking services. The bank operates more than 700 retail and commercial banking locations in 19 Western and Midwestern states. Bank of the West is a subsidiary of BNP Paribas, which has a presence in 80 countries with nearly 200,000 employees.