As Bank of the West approaches its two-year anniversary in Chicago, it announced that Phil Kain, a well-respected specialist in the development of leveraged finance loans for middle market private equity sponsors, joins Bank of the West as director of the bank’s private equity group.

Capitalizing on his more than 18 years of experience, in his new role Kain will be responsible for covering middle market private equity groups across the country, developing new business opportunities in financing private equity portfolio companies, structuring and underwriting transactions, and growing the bank’s overall private equity practice.

Prior to joining Bank of the West, Kain spent nine years at Fifth Third Bank, where he led teams in its structured finance group that engaged primarily in the origination of acquisition financing deals.

“We are delighted to announce the addition of Phil Kain to further grow the bank’s private equity group,” said John Thurston, managing director and area manager of the bank’s Commercial Coverage Group. “Phil has a long history of building strong and deep relationships with private equity sponsors around the country and leading the financing of their portfolio companies. Phil is a great addition to our team.”