CIBC Innovation Banking expanded its North American team by hiring Ben Shephard as an executive director based in the company’s office in New York and Sean Thompson as managing director and market lead in the company’s Menlo Park office in San Francisco.

Shephard has nearly two decades of experience in the financial services industry, most recently working for a U.S. financial institution’s commercial banking team with a focus on the software sector and providing venture debt facilities.

Thompson has 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. He most recently worked for a U.S. financial institution’s sales origination team, managing business development activity across the Northern California and New York markets.

“We are delighted to have Ben and Sean join our growing team,” Paul McKinlay, vice president and head of U.S. origination at CIBC Innovation Banking, said. “We’re continuing to bolster our team with top talent in key markets. Ben and Sean’s combined experience and know-how will be pivotal as we look to help fuel the next wave of software and tech companies.”

Shephard and Thompson will be focused on the software and technology sectors in their respective markets while helping build the CIBC Innovation Banking brand in New York and San Francisco.

In addition to hiring Shephard and Thompson, CIBC Innovation Banking’s Paul Gibson will be expanding his responsibilities as managing director and region head. He will oversee the team’s Southeastern and New York regions in the United States.