Gerber Finance, an eCapital portfolio company, opened a new office in Ontario and appointed Karim Habib managing director of business lending for Canada. The expansion marks Gerber’s first office in Canada, where it will now provide its asset-based lending solutions to consumer-packaged goods companies.

Habib previously held the same position for eCapital’s commercial finance division and brings more than 25 years of experience across a range of corporate financial services, including asset-based lending and alternative lending, corporate finance and investment banking and mid-market commercial banking.

“Given Karim’s expertise, he is the ideal person to introduce Gerber Finance and our tailored asset-based lending products to the Canadian market,” Jennifer Palmer, CEO of Gerber Finance, said. “With Karim and the support of eCapital, we are excited to expand our operations into Canada and offer cross-border financing.”

Prior to joining eCapital in May 2016, Habib was a senior vice president in asset-based lending at Wells Fargo Capital Finance in Toronto. He also held management positions at RBC Capital Markets and Laurentian Bank of Canada. Habib’s expertise also includes providing financial advisor services to assist lower middle-market companies with corporate finance and investment banking services ranging from mergers and acquisition activities to restructuring credit facilities.