Arvest Bank announce it has hired Eric Johnston and Jay Bankston. Both will serve as vendor business development Representatives for Arvest Equipment Finance (AEF), a division of the bank.

AEF Division President Eric Bunnell said the additions are a result of continued growth and expansion within its vendor program. They also come on the heels of AEF closing more than $161 million in new production in 2018 – a record total and 52 percent increase over 2017.

Johnston most recently worked for Caterpillar Inc., and also previously worked as a Territory Manager for IronPlanet. Johnston earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a master’s in international business and supply chain management at Western Illinois University.

Bankston most recently worked as a Regional Sales Manager for BigIron Auctions. He also has worked for IronPlanet and Victor L. Phillips Co. Bankston earned a bachelor’s degree in agri-business at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

“I am very excited to be able to add Eric and Jay, two knowledgeable and experienced sales reps to our AEF team,” Bunnell said. “Their expertise is evident, they know a lot of the equipment dealers in the areas where we do business, plus they are great team players that are excited to help us continue our growth and expansion. They will spend the majority of their time developing business with dealerships throughout the Midwest and Southeast.”

AEF also announce the following staff additions related to the expansion of its vendor operations: Carrie Guire and Stacey Nichols, Sales Support Specialists, and Mike Davis, Asset Manager.