Lakeland Bank hired Kenneth Kaestner as senior vice president and team leader for its asset-based lending team in October and more recently hired Diane Williams as vice president and senior relationship manager for its asset-based lending team.

Williams has 15 years of experience in asset-based lending, most recently having worked for Berkshire Bank. Williams started her banking career as a credit analyst with Lakeland Bank.

Kaestner has 25 years of industry experience and was most recently senior vice president and asset-based lending regional leader at Berkshire Bank overseeing the Mid-Atlantic market.

“I’m thrilled to be part of Lakeland Bank, an institution with the long history and strong reputation,” Kaestner said. “The foundation is in place to be the premier asset-based lender serving lower middle-market companies throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.”

“With industry veterans like Diane and Ken leading the charge, I am excited for the asset-based lending team, what we can accomplish together and how the strength of our broad product offering will support existing and future customers,” Ron Krauskopf, first senior vice president and group leader of specialty lending at Lakeland Bank, said.