CrossFirst Bank expanded its restaurant finance group, hiring Bobby Oliver to lead the group as executive director.

“CrossFirst has served the franchise and restaurant community since the bank was founded in 2007 and the build out of a dedicated restaurant finance group is a natural expansion of our expertise,” Mike Maddox, president and CEO of CrossFirst Bank, said. “We are excited to extend our capabilities and top talent to clients through a dedicated group led by experienced banker Bobby Oliver.”

As executive director, Oliver will develop and implement strategies to provide restaurant chains customized banking solutions, including financing, treasury, commercial cards, merchant processing and international banking services. Oliver, located in Atlanta, will report to Steve Peterson, chief banking officer at CrossFirst Bank.

“Bobby has profound knowledge in restaurant finance and will play a significant role as we continue to grow our restaurant finance vertical,” Peterson said. “His industry expertise will guide the bank’s strategy and growth as we further expand our focus on the restaurant industry.”

Oliver has more than three decades of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining CrossFirst Bank, Oliver held positions with Pinnacle Financial Partners, Cadence Bank and Bank of America, where he managed teams in the franchise, healthcare and commercial banking sectors.

“I am excited to join CrossFirst Bank to expand the restaurant finance line of business,” Oliver said. “I look forward to leveraging my expertise to provide franchisors, franchisees, company-owned chains and private equity sponsors an extraordinary level of banking service.”