Sterling National Bank expanded its Specialty Finance team by with the addition of new hires Sharon Bender, Dennis Phelps, Stephanie Lunn Szymanski and Andrew Schuster.

Bender and Phelps join as senior vice presidents and managing directors of Asset Based Lending. Both will leverage more than two decades of experience leading asset-based lending groups to help Sterling clients access funding for working capital, equipment finance and capital expenditures. Bender will focus on building relationships within the Northeast market, and Phelps the Southeast.

Szymanski joins as vice president and managing director of Warehouse Lending. Szymanski will be responsible for developing new warehouse lending relationships nationally. She brings a proven history of managing and growing portfolios specific to the mortgage industry.

Joining as managing director of Capital Markets, Shuster will manage the team’s growth and profitability with a focus on business development. Having served the New York market for more than 30 years, Shuster will provide practical strategies Sterling clients need to address complex financing challenges.

“We are very pleased to welcome Sharon, Dennis, Stephanie and Andrew to the team,” said Tom Geisel, Sterling’s senior executive vice president and president of Corporate Banking. “As we grow our specialty finance group, their rich backgrounds in asset-based lending, capital markets and mortgage finance will strengthen and expand our current business offerings.”