HomeTrust Bancshares, the holding company of HomeTrust Bank ("Bank"), has announced the initiation of new SBA and Equipment Finance Commercial Lines of Business. HomeTrust Commercial Relationship Manager, Christopher McFatter, has been promoted to SVP, Director of SBA Lending, and Jeff Kale recently joined HomeTrust Bank as SVP, Director of Equipment Finance.

“Offering specialized equipment financing options makes HomeTrust a more valuable banking partner for our larger, commercial clients,” said Hunter Westbrook, EVP and Chief Banking Officer. “In addition, we will be able to better serve the credit needs of smaller businesses through our participation in the SBA 7(a) loan program. Our experienced commercial lenders continue to bring new business clients to the bank through their credit expertise and knowledge of their respective local market as evidenced by the 200% growth in our commercial loan portfolio since 2012.” Westbrook continued, “These new commercial lines of business further support our strategic growth strategy, improving performance and creating additional value for our shareholders.”

Christopher McFatter has over 12 years of financial services experience, including commercial credit analysis, residential lending and commercial banking. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Monetary Economics and Finance from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. A Western North Carolina native, Christopher is active in the local community and currently serves as Treasurer and Board member of the Camp Diversity Foundation, Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Jeff Kale has over 30 years of sales and sales management experience including commercial and consumer lending for direct, indirect and vendor organizations. He spent 19 years with Ford Motor Credit in management roles for indirect and direct originations. Most recently, he spent 12 years with BB&T Equipment Finance, in leadership positions for both Business Development and Sales Management. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a major in Finance from Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina.