Customers Commercial Finance Launches SMB Vertical, Adds New Hires



Customers Commercial Finance, a division of Customers Bank, expanded its capabilities by launching a SMB vertical. To support the expanded services, Customers Commercial Finance hired Jason Adler as head of sales, Mike O’Connell as head of credit and portfolio management, Scott Keenan as head of product innovation and Jennifer Oleniak as senior operations manager.

“The launch of the SMB vertical is a natural extension of the strong equipment financing and leasing franchise we have built at Customers Bank,” Sam Smith, president of Customers Commercial Finance, said. “The expansion of John Donohue’s team brings deep domain expertise within the SMB segment and expands our commitment to our clients. These individuals are a natural fit within the entrepreneurial culture at Customers Bank.”

Adler, who has more than 20 years of experience, will manage SMB business development and sales strategy. He will also manage vendor programs and financial product development to ensure access to capital for clients using the latest financial technology delivery methods. Adler previously worked for Direct Capital, a division of CIT Bank, which merged with First Citizens Bank in February, rising to the role of director of sales prior to his departure.

O’Connell will direct SMB credit policy, procedures and portfolio growth in a risk-disciplined culture. With 22 years of experience in credit, operations and portfolio management, O’Connell will build a team that balances a risk-based pricing methodology with SLA excellence, supported by a portfolio management approach. O’Connell previously worked at Direct Capital, where he started his career as a credit manager and took on roles with increasing responsibilities until he departed as director of operations at First Citizens Bank, formerly CIT Bank.

Keenan will lead Customers Commercial Finance’s strategy, execution and management of the SMB technology and product ecosystem. He will simultaneously drive customer experience with platform optimization for scale through ideation and innovation while blending proprietary solutions with digital financial technology tools. Keenan has nine years of experience in credit operations and product management, bridging financial technology and lending capabilities. Keenan began his career at Direct Capital and most recently served as vice president of product management at CIT Bank prior to its merger with First Citizens Bank.

With more than 20 years of expertise developed across the financial technology marketplace operational journey, Oleniak will lead the development and management of SMB operations policy, procedures and structure at Customers Commercial Finance. Oleniak will use her depth of experience to develop a team focused on SLA excellence and protecting the shared interests of the bank, its partners and its customers. Oleniak began her career at BTM Capital and then held multiple positions of increasing responsibility at Direct Capital. Most recently, she served as a senior funding manager at Alliance Funding Group.

“These team members all started on the front lines in each of their respective areas and lived the roles they eventually transformed,” Donohue, who is the managing director and executive vice president of Customers Commercial Finance’s SMB business unit, said. “Each individual has experiential knowledge on building, empowering and leading high-performing teams with a focus on the customer and partner experience we are known for delivering. They served as key stakeholders in pioneering fintech during multiple economic cycles and have joined Customers Commercial Finance to embrace the entrepreneurial opportunity that exists here and expand our product offering deeper into the SMB space.”


Like this story? Begin each business day with news you need to know! Click here to register now for our FREE Daily E-News Broadcast and start YOUR day informed!

Leave a comment

View Latest Digital Edition

Terry Mulreany
Subscriptions: 800 708 9373 x130
[email protected]
Susie Angelucci
Advertising: 484.459.3016
[email protected]

View Latest Digital Edition

Visit our sister website for news, information, exclusive articles,
deal tables and more on the asset-based lending, factoring,
and restructuring industries.
www.abfjournal.com