Columbus, GA-based Synovus announced the creation of its Equipment Finance Group, designed to drive revenue growth with small, middle and large commercial banking customers. The group will be based in Charleston, SC.

Synovus said John Geist, who serves as president of Equipment Finance, will direct this team of specialized bankers as they provide a wide range of products and services to meet the expectations of Synovus’ current and future commercial customers. He brings more than 30 years of banking experience, with 15 years specifically in the area of leasing and equipment finance. Before coming to Synovus, Geist served as executive vice president of Bank of America/NationsBank’s Corporate Banking Group and later president of leasing and equipment finance. He also worked in the Middle East where he managed the Corporate Finance Group for a Bahrain-based bank.

Also joining Geist are Tad Herrin, Bill Orr and Ricky Mims who collectively have more than 70 years of experience in the equipment leasing and financing business. Herrin, senior vice president of business development, previously worked at Bank of America/NationsBank where he managed on of the largest corporate aircraft groups in the country and also GE Capital as senior business development officer. Orr will also serve as a senior vice president of business development. His experience includes previous positions with Barclays, Westinghouse Credit and Bank of America. Mims was formerly senior vice president/managing director of Regions Equipment Leasing and joins Synovus as senior vice president of business development.

Chris Legris has joined the company as senior vice president and asset manager. Legris was previously with Textron Finance, Bombardier Capital and Barnett Bank. Additionally, Jim Shaw has joined as senior vice president, documentation and transaction manager. Shaw previously worked at Bank of America/NationsBank as well as Global Capital Finance. The company will continue to add positions in both sales and support areas.

“The addition of John, Tad, Bill, Ricky, Chris, Jim and others in the pipeline, further strengthens our equipment financing line of business and signals our continued commitment to offer a broad range of expertise, products and services to commercial customers, said Curtis Perry, Synovus’ chief commercial banking officer. “As the economy recovers, the market for this product is going to experience tremendous growth because it gives business owners a lending alternative for investing in the equipment needed to start and grow their businesses.”