Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, expanded its Phoenix-based middle-market banking team with the addition of five new members to support its growth in serving mid-size companies across Arizona. The five new team members are Dan Slocum, Alain Pelanne, Michael Paduone, Jonathan Akongo and Ramy Michael.

Slocum joined the bank as senior vice president and senior relationship manager. Slocum has more than a decade of experience in banking, serving as a trusted advisor to mid-sized companies and providing strategic insights around capital deployment, working capital and cash management.

Pelanne also joined the bank as a senior vice president and senior relationship manager. Pelanne brings years of banking and healthcare sector experience with a focus on credit risk and analysis.

Paduone joined the bank as senior treasury management consultant for global payment and deposits. With more than two decades of banking experience, Paduone advises middle-market healthcare and education clients on improving financial control, reducing fraud risk and improving capital management. He also holds the designations of ACH Professional and Certified Treasury Professional.

Akongo joined the bank as senior vice president and client solutions manager for corporate banking. Akongo has more than 25 years of experience in credit and commercial lending, primarily for middle-market companies, including loan structuring, syndications, loan workouts and special assets management.

Ramy Michael joined the bank as middle-market underwriter. Michael specializes in financial statement analysis, credit analysis and credit risk.

The expansion is the latest development in Umpqua’s expansion in the western United States. Late last year, Umpqua hired long-time Phoenix banking leader Kevin Gillette as market director to build its middle-market operation in Arizona. The bank also recently expanded into Colorado as part of its commitment to support companies in communities throughout the Mountain West.

“Phoenix in one of the fasting growing, most dynamic economies in the country right now, and Umpqua is thrilled to be a growing part of the business community here,” Gillette said. “Our combination of size, expertise and personalized approach to supporting our customers has been attractive to mid-size companies in the region, and these five talented additions to our team will enhance our contribution to customer success as we grow our market presence.”