Cole Taylor Equipment Finance, a subsidiary of Cole Taylor Bank, announces today the hiring of Thomas J. Prendergast, who joined CTEF with responsibility for building client relationships and developing new lease and loan originations in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. He will work out of Cole Taylor’s Lombard, Illinois, office.

Prendergast brings more than 22 years of financial industry and equipment leasing experience to Cole Taylor with strong experience in the manufacturing, food processing and agriculture sectors. Prior to joining Cole Taylor Equipment Finance, Prendergast was a vice president in direct sales with Wells Fargo Equipment Finance. Prior to that, he was with American Equipment Leasing, a division of ABN AMRO Bank, and U.S. Bancorp Leasing and Financial.

“Tom brings an exceptional entrepreneurial spirit to the job along with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience,” said Edward A. Dahlka, Jr., president of Cole Taylor Equipment Finance. “He’s a valuable addition to our team and I look forward to strong contributions from him.”