Associated Bank added Keith Contole, John Todd, Jim Vargo and Mike Williams, who have more than 100 years of combined experience, to its asset-based lending team.

The new hires will be responsible for originating and structuring asset-based loans for clients, including revolving lines of credit and term loans secured by accounts receivables, inventory and/or real estate.

Contole joined Associated Bank as a senior vice president and relationship manager of asset-based lending and corporate banking. He is responsible for portfolio management and underwriting.

Contole has more than 25 years of commercial and ABL banking experience and has a background in portfolio, underwriting and operations management. Previously, he held the position of senior vice president and senior account manager for Huntington Bank (via acquisition of Chemical Bank/TCF Bank) in Chicago.

Todd joined Associated Bank as senior vice president and business development officer of asset-based lending and corporate banking. He will be responsible for building and sourcing new client relationships in Illinois, Ohio and Michigan.

Todd has more than 25 years of banking experience and a background in business development, underwriting and relationship management. Previously, he held the position of managing director for the Midwest region at SG Credit Partners.

Vargo joined Associated Bank as senior vice president and business development officer of asset-based lending and corporate banking. He will be responsible for generating new business in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.

Vargo has more than 30 years of banking experience and a background in business development in both asset-based and commercial banking as well as accounting and finance as a prior CFO.

Williams, who holds a CPA designation, joined Associated Bank as senior vice president and business development officer of asset-based lending and corporate banking. He will be responsible for business development in Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Texas.

Williams has more than 25 years of banking experience. Previously, he held the position of managing director for the Midwest region for CIBC in Chicago.