ING expanded its Food & Agri platform with the hiring of Eanna Mulkere as director.

Mulkere will join ING’s Dallas office, where he will be responsible for a national calling effort that will augment robust coverage in protein, dairy and value-added food product manufacturing.

Mulkere joins from BBVA Compass, where as a senior vice president he was the founder and head of the US BBVA Compass Food & Agribusiness platform, a business he grew into a $700 million portfolio. Previously, he served as a vice president in Allied Irish Banks’ cash flow and ABL US team, where he originated over $520 million in new loan exposure.

Mulkere will report to Dan Lamprecht, head of Food & Agri at ING Americas.

“By hiring Eanna we are able to immediately expand our coverage with his established expertise and deep relationships across the agriculture industry,” said Lamprecht. “Over time we plan on expanding this group to ensure ING has the capacity to scale with the demand of the market and help our clients meet their long-term financing needs.”