Taylor Capital said that Cole Taylor is expanding its commercial banking business into southeast Wisconsin with a new office in Franklin. Russ Weyers, who brings more than 25 years of Wisconsin-based commercial banking experience to Cole Taylor, will lead the office as group senior vice president.

Weyers is the former president and chief executive officer of Johnson Bank in Racine, WI. He is past chairman of the Wisconsin Bankers Association and also served on the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

“I am very pleased to welcome Russ to Cole Taylor,” said Mark A. Hoppe, president and chief executive officer of the bank. “As a leader in the southeastern Wisconsin community, Russ brings extensive market experience to our organization and with it, a deep network of relationships across the area. He is the ideal professional to bring Cole Taylor’s expertise and relationship-based approach to middle market businesses.”

Weyers, added, “I’m delighted to be joining Cole Taylor Bank. The Bank’s long-term focus on providing outstanding customer service and high-quality banking solutions is just what Wisconsin’s business owners want from their bank. I’m confident they will find Cole Taylor and our local, responsive team a terrific option for their commercial banking relationship.”

The new commercial banking office will be Cole Taylor’s second operation in the state, joining Cole Taylor Business Capital’s facility in Brookfield, WI.