Arvest Bank announced that Eric Bunnell has been promoted from senior vice president and sales manager to president of Arvest Equipment Finance (AEF).

Bunnell, a Certified Lease & Finance Professional who is a member of the CLFP Board of Directors, has been with Arvest since 2012 and in the commercial lending industry since 2001. He also serves as a member of the National Equipment Finance Association.

In his new role, Bunnell will provide leadership and overall day-to-day direction and administration of Arvest’s commercial equipment finance division, among other duties.

“Eric’s industry experience and track record here at Arvest made him a natural choice to lead AEF,” said Craig Rivaldo, president and CEO for Arvest Bank in Benton County. “We are excited about what Eric will bring to his new role, and know that AEF is in good hands as that segment of our business continues to grow.”

AEF ended 2015 with $187.6 million in loans and leases. That was up 28 percent from 2014’s $146.4 million. AEF’s loans and leases totaled $223.7 million at the end of October.

Bunnell is a native of Trenton, Mo., and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics at the University of Missouri. Bunnell has been active in numerous community organizations in Greater Kansas City and is relocating to Fort Smith. He and his wife, Kristin, have two daughters.