Wells Fargo Commercial Banking announced that Tanner Phifer will lead Middle Market Asset-Based Lending (ABL) origination for the West region, which is part of the bank’s secured lending and leasing businesses. The Middle Market ABL originations team is closely aligned with divisions across the bank to support the demand of asset-based lending, specialty lending and equipment finance solutions to the middle market segment.

“Tanner’s extensive industry experience in structuring, executing and developing innovative strategies is what made him a great candidate for this new role,” said Cyndi Giles, head of Wells Fargo Middle Market ABL Originations. “His background and deep lending expertise will make him a great partner to our businesses that help our middle market customers grow.”

Previously, Phifer was managing director of Originations for Wells Fargo Capital Finance, where he contributed to more than $4 billion in new ABL, software and specialty finance transactions. In addition, he was responsible for sourcing, structuring and executing middle market and corporate ABL debt financing and was critical to the team’s record growth in 2021. Phifer joined Wells Fargo Middle Market Banking’s Financial Analyst Program in 2008, and later he completed the Credit Management Program before moving into a relationship manager role. In 2011, he moved to Corporate & Investment Banking as a senior underwriting and portfolio associate and was later promoted to portfolio manager in 2013, responsible for a $2.5 billion portfolio.

Phifer holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business, with a finance major and accounting minor. He is part of the Secured Finance Network (SFNet), Association for Corporate Growth, and the Turnaround Management Association. He recently won SFNet’s 40 Under 40 award, given to top performers in the finance industry.