Siena Lending Group hired Joe Panico as director of originations based in Cleveland, where he will focus on providing asset-based lending solutions for middle market companies in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and western New York.

Panico has more than 15 years of middle market and ABL experience, having worked in those areas at PNC Bank, WNB Specialty Finance, CIBC and Flagstar Bank. He specializes in delivering flexible financing solutions to help public, privately held, family-owned and sponsor-backed companies expand, complete acquisitions, restructure/reposition and refinance.

Panico currently serves as president of the Ohio chapter of the Secured Finance Network (SFNet). He is also a member of the Association for Corporate Growth and the Turnaround Management Association.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to join the best team in the industry,” Panico said. “Siena is the premier lending partner, and I’m looking forward to working with companies across my markets who need creative and reliable financing structures.”

“We are delighted to have Joe join Siena,” Dave Grende, president and CEO of Siena Lending Group, said. “He brings the experience, expertise and energy to make a huge difference in the Midwest markets that he has served his entire career.”