CIT Group Inc. announced it has hired Blake Goddard as a Business Development Officer in its Asset-Based Lending business.

Goddard will be based in Atlanta and focus on asset-based lending business development across the Southeast region, where he will be responsible for generating new business leads, deepening client relationships and representing a wide range of bank products and services.

 “In joining CIT, Blake brings valuable expertise in middle market banking for specialized industries,” said Chris Esposito, Managing Director and Group Head for CIT’s Asset-Based Lending business. “We’re confident his skills and experience will be instrumental in helping grow our asset-based lending in the Southeast across a range of industries.”

Prior to joining CIT, Goddard served as a Vice President at JP Morgan Chase. Earlier in his career, he also held various roles at AloStar, Caymus Equity Partners and ING.

CIT’s Asset-Based Lending business, part of the company's Commercial Finance division, meets clients' working capital needs by offering innovative structures that can help reduce funding costs and manage operational risks while improving earnings by leveraging accounts receivable, inventory or fixed assets as collateral.