Funding Circle, a lending platform focused exclusively on small business, added Joanna Karger as U.S. head of Capital Markets, and Richard Stephenson as U.S. chief compliance officer.

With 30 years of experience working in capital markets, Karger joins Funding Circle from Renew Financial, where she served as EVP of capital markets and chief financial officer. Karger started her career at the U.S. Treasury before joining Allianz (formerly DresdnerRCM) and McMorgan, where she specialized in structured credit and fixed income products.

Prior to Funding Circle, Stephenson served as chief compliance officer of Silicon Valley Bank. He has more than 30 years of experience in various senior roles at U.S. financial institutions and law firms, serving as general counsel, chief compliance officer, chief risk officer, head of internal audit and interim chief executive officer at institutions such as Bank of America, Union Bank, Washington Mutual Bank and Mechanics Bank.

“Joanna and Richard have deep experience in building and scaling robust financial services businesses, and we are thrilled they will be playing integral roles in Funding Circle’s continued growth in the U.S. market,” said Sam Hodges, co-founder and U.S. managing director at Funding Circle.

Funding Circle is a lending platform for small businesses, matching established and creditworthy businesses who want to borrow with investors who want to lend in the UK, U.S. and Europe.