First Niagara Financial Group announced the appointment of Robert Fluharty to Senior Business Development Officer for First Niagara Commercial Finance (FNCF).

Fluharty will serve customers throughout First Niagara’s footprint, including the New England and Tristate Regions. He is responsible for developing the bank’s asset-based lending (ABL) portfolio by providing customers with customized financing packages for working capital, mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, turnarounds, and restructurings.  He reports directly to Kenneth Jamison, Managing Director of Capital Markets including responsibility for Business Development in Asset Based Lending.

“Robert brings to the table more than 30 years of experience in asset-based lending and leveraged finance,” said Jamison.  “This knowledge of the market, coupled with his ability to build and maintain relationships with our customers are characteristics that will translate well into his new role with our team.”

Prior to joining First Niagara, Fluharty served as SVP/Relationship Manager for Santander Bank’s Greater Hartford Region. He also served as a Team Leader for the expansion of the Direct Marketing Group supporting PNC Business Credit and PNC Bank.

“I look forward to creating and cultivating relationships with businesses looking for the right financial solutions to help grow and develop their company,” said Fluharty. “First Niagara has an excellent reputation in this market, and I am excited to join their talented team of finance professionals.”

Fluharty is a member of the Association for Corporate Growth, Commercial Finance Association and has served on the Board of Directors for the Turnaround Management Association’s Connecticut Chapter. He has also served as an Executive-in-Residence for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s SBDC Office.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s Degree in Management Finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.