MUFG Union Bank hired Rob Swanson as managing director and Northern California market president. Based in the Bay Area, Swanson will report to Bita Ardalan, head of commercial banking for MUFG Union Bank.

In his new role, Swanson will lead the strategy and management of the bank’s middle market activities in Northern California and the Central Valley. He will oversee a team of professionals providing advisory services and solutions tailored to corporate clients across industries, as well as execute the technology and venture banking industry verticals within the commercial bank.

“Rob is a veteran of the financial services space with an extensive background that includes middle market banking and the agribusiness, technology and venture capital industries,” Ardalan said. “We are confident Rob will push forward our strategic growth plan to expand our coverage of middle market technology companies in our footprint. His deep experience in the space makes him uniquely suited to lead our team and enhance our offering to meet the sophisticated needs of clients and prospects in the technology and venture banking space.”

Prior to joining MUFG Union Bank, Swanson served as a managing director and market executive for the western region at Wells Fargo, covering technology banking. He has more than 30 years of banking experience and has advised both venture capital-backed and publicly traded companies.