Robert C. Howard Jr. has joined Auburndale’s The Village Bank as vice president of commercial lending.

In his new position, Howard will report to Andrew Franklin, senior vice president of lending, who directs the bank’s commercial, residential, and consumer lending activities. Howard will be responsible for managing and expanding the bank’s commercial and business relationships.

Howard brings more than 30 years of financial services experience, including senior executive positions in commercial banking. He was most recently senior vice president -commercial lending with Citizens Union Savings Bank in Fall River, and served as senior vice president and senior loan officer at Bank of Fall River prior to that institution’s merger with Citizens Union.

His experience also includes community bank commercial lending positions with Bridgewater Savings Bank, as vice president – commercial loan officer, and Slade’s Ferry Trust Co., as vice president – senior commercial lending officer. Earlier in his career, he served as president of Venture Advisory Services, heading a team of small business merger and acquisition consultants.