The group is already present in a number of states, and the move to open a Chicago office adds to its footprint.

Customers Bank has opened a Chicago office in its private and commercial banking arm, adding to operations in Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and New England.

The move to open the office was announced originally last summer.

Banking veteran John R Ross has been named banking group head of the Chicago banking group. Prior to this, he served as senior vice president and team leader of Chicago’s Associated Bank. Ross began his career in finance in 1984 and has served in various management and producer roles at Chicago banks including The Private Bank, US Bank, Cole Taylor Bank, LaSalle Bank, and others.

Services from the new office include loan production for commercial, industrial, consumer and real estate lending, as well as corporate cash management, credit cards, merchant processing, and business and private personal banking.

“Our private and commercial customers are increasingly demanding tailored product and service choices that reflect their changing needs – which are heavily driven by local market conditions and trends,” Jay Sidhu, chairman and chief executive of Customers Bank, said.