Plaza Bank, headquartered in Irvine, CA, announced two recent hires, expanding its commitment to small and mid-sized businesses throughout its markets.

“It was necessary to expand our team to keep up with our continued increase in lending to small businesses particularly with SBA loans, owner-occupied real estate loans, asset based loans and business lines of credit,” stated Gene Galloway, president and CEO of Plaza Bank.

Armando Romero has joined Plaza Bank as the vice president/business development officer, Asset Based Lending. He will be responsible for originating and structuring asset-based loans and lines of credit. These loans and lines of credit include promoting the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) and the SBA’s Capline, specifically to manufacturers, distributors and service companies in Orange and Los Angeles counties and throughout the Inland Empire.

Romero has over 25 years of commercial banking experience. Prior to coming to Plaza Bank, he ran a consulting business focusing on the provision of business advisory services to small and medium business owners, including placing them within the CalCAP program. In addition, he has served as a business advisor through the Small Business Development Center, providing assistance in packaging SBA, CalCAP, CEDLI, and California State program applications. He has extensive experience in evaluating the working capital needs of a business and finding solutions for small and medium businesses owners.

JB Hossler has joined Plaza Bank as the senior vice president, Southern Nevada market manager. In this role, he is responsible for expanding the bank’s market presence and brand recognition throughout Southern Nevada. His primary focus will be to provide tailored solutions for small- and middle-market businesses and professionals throughout this market.

Hossler joins a team of commercial banking professionals in the Southern Nevada market that has more than 60 years of combined experience, and they are very familiar with the market-specific dynamics impacting their clients on a daily basis. Plaza Bank’s business model provides agility to be responsive to its clients’ needs in the Southern Nevada market. In addition to its commercial bankers, Plaza Bank offers SBA products through its award-winning Small Business Unit. It also offers specific programs for professional businesses, such as its Health Pro product — a streamlined line of credit for medical professionals.

Hossler has 15 years experience in the commercial and industrial banking arena, with specific familiarity with professional and service firms, manufacturers, and renewable energy firms. He has worked on both the credit and marketing sides of banking, allowing him to provide immediate recommendations to clients regarding loan structures and planning for future business goals. His experience is balanced between “Top 10” banks, including formal credit training from a money center bank, and several years spent in community banks. Prior to joining Plaza Bank, Hossler worked for a larger community bank.

Plaza Bank is full-service community bank serving the business and professional communities in southern California and Las Vegas.