BHI Announces Changes to its Business Team Structure to Accommodate Bank Expansion

BHI, a full-service commercial bank led by CEO Gil Karni, announced a restructuring of the bank’s business team to accommodate its current growth, fulfill the execution of BHI’s strategic plan, position the bank for further expansion and reinforce its industry expertise in specific sectors.

John Yoler, Executive Vice President and Division Executive, has been appointed Head of BHI Commercial & Industrial, overseeing BHI’s C&I teams in New York, New Jersey, Florida and California. Yoler, who currently oversees the bank’s Food and Beverage and Specialty and Sponsor Finance verticals, as well as its U.S. Representative Offices in New Jersey, Florida and California, will expand his responsibilities with management of the total C&I sector for the bank. This growth will include the additional areas of high tech, International, investment services, nonprofit and treasury management.  He joined BHI in 2016 from HSBC, where he was Senior Vice President and Area Director, Global Corporate Banking, responsible for the New Jersey and Philadelphia banking teams.

Gal Defes has been appointed Head of International C&I, High Tech and Investment Services, reporting to Yoler.  The technology sector, which Defes will oversee, constitutes an important growth engine for BHI.  Most recently, he was Senior Vice President at Bank Leumi USA, where he served as Head of Technology Banking for its East Coast Region, managing two teams specializing in banking and credit solutions for technology clients.  Defes joined Bank Leumi in Israel in 2006 and worked in several of the bank’s business units, with special emphasis on commercial and industrial lending, real estate finance and numerous growth sectors.  

Executive Vice President and Division Executive Steven Caligor will focus on BHI’s plan for   growth of its real estate and assisted living sectors in the New York tristate region, California and Florida as head of BHI’s Commercial Real Estate Division, which also includes the bank’s Healthcare practice.  Caligor also joined BHI in 2016 with 30 years of experience leading real estate lending at financial institutions including Bank Leumi and Signature Bank.   

“These changes are designed to enhance and build on our business growth and further our mission of providing personal service and customized financial solutions for our clients,” said Gil Karni, BHI Chief Executive Officer.

About BHI (www.bhiusa.com)

BHI the U.S division of Bank Hapoalim, Israel’s leading financial institution, provides commercial banking solutions to middle market clients in sectors including commercial real estate, C&I, food and beverage, entertainment, apparel, healthcare and high-tech.  In addition to its New York headquarters, the bank operates U.S. Representative Offices in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey; Miami, Florida; and Los Angeles, California.