MUFG Union Bank announced that Rob Swanson has joined as Managing Director, Northern California Market President. Based in the Bay Area, Swanson reports to Bita Ardalan, Head of Commercial Banking for Union Bank.

In his role, Swanson will lead the strategy and management of the bank’s middle market activities in Northern California and the Central Valley. He will oversee a high-caliber team of professionals providing advisory services and solutions specifically tailored to the unique business objectives of corporate clients across industries, as well as spearhead the Technology and Venture Banking industry verticals within the Commercial Bank.

“Rob is a veteran of the financial services space with an extensive background that includes middle market banking and the agribusiness, technology and venture capital industries,” said Ardalan. “We are confident Rob will push forward our strategic growth plan to expand our coverage of middle market technology companies in our footprint. His deep experience in the space makes him uniquely suited to lead our team and enhance our offering to meet the sophisticated needs of clients and prospects in the technology and venture banking space.”

Prior to joining MUFG Union Bank, Swanson was Managing Director and Market Executive for the Western Region at Wells Fargo, covering Technology Banking. He brings over 30 years of banking experience advising both venture capital-backed and publicly traded companies. Swanson earned his bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Managerial Economics from the University of California at Davis.