Robert "Bob" Barnhard has joined Eastern Bank to start and lead an asset-based lending team. 

Barnhard, who has previously started three other asset-based lending groups and has managed more than $3.5 billion in loans, was named a senior vice president in Eastern’s commercial banking division. Prior to joining Eastern Bank, he served as the group head and director of commercial lending at Commerce Bank. 

"Eastern Bank is excited about the addition of Bob and the beginning of an asset-based lending team," Eastern Bank’s Joseph Holland, senior vice president and commercial banking group head, said in a statement. "Our new team will provide a wide array of solutions for complex financing needs, further strengthening our commercial lending capabilities for our valued clients." 

Barnhard is a member of the Commercial Finance Association, the Turnaround Management Association, the Association for Corporate Growth and the National Retail Federation.