Dime Community Bancshares (DCB), the parent company of Dime Community Bank announced Robert “Rob” Dwyer has joined the bank as senior vice president and head of SBA Lending.

“Rob’s extensive experience in SBA lending will be an invaluable asset to our clients and to the continuing expansion of our Business Banking division, led by Senior Executive Vice President Stuart Lubow,” said Kenneth J. Mahon, president and CEO of DCB. “In addition, the launch of our SBA lending program continues our focus on community lending and recognizes the important role that small businesses play in creating jobs and opportunities in our local communities.”

Rob, who will report to Conrad Gunther, executive vice president – Business Banking, will be responsible for building the bank’s SBA lending infrastructure, developing SBA lending products through the retail network as well as external partners, and engaging with entrepreneurs and the small business community to create opportunities for lending.

Dwyer, who has over 20 years of experience in SBA lending, joins the bank from Freedom Mortgage, where he was executive vice president and Division President and led the effort to create an SBA lending program. Prior to Freedom Mortgage, Dwyer held various senior commercial lending positions at a number of financial institutions.

Dime Community Bancshares had $6.10 billion in consolidated assets as of March 31, 2017, and is the parent company of the bank.