CIT Group named Christopher M. McLaughlin chief underwriting officer for its Commercial Finance division.

In his new role, McLaughlin will be responsible for leading a team of underwriters and portfolio managers across a wide range of business segments, including healthcare, energy, capital markets, maritime, aerospace, entertainment and media, sponsor finance, commercial and industrial, communications and technology, asset-based lending and syndications. He will be based in Manhattan.

“We are pleased to welcome Chris to CIT’s Commercial Finance team as we continue to focus on managing risk while pursuing growth opportunities,” said Jim Hudak, president, Commercial Finance.

McLaughlin joined CIT from Capital One, where, since 2009, he worked in middle-market banking in positions of increasing management responsibility. His most recent role was as head of underwriting and portfolio management for middle market banking. Earlier in his career, McLaughlin led underwriting teams at Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance and worked as a risk manager and underwriter at First Union National Bank.