Axos Bank Taps Industry Veteran Kristian Ilkov to Lead Its Middle Market Banking Division

Axos will target companies in the aerospace and defense, gaming, and healthcare industries

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Axos Bank (“Axos”), the nationwide bank subsidiary of Axos Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AX), announced the launch of its Middle Market Banking Division. Led by industry veteran Kristian (Kris) Ilkov, Axos will look to capitalize on disruptions in certain industry verticals. The Middle Market Banking team will provide hands-on relationship management for clients, including tailored banking solutions for middle market clients.

Serving companies with revenues between $25 million to $3 billion in healthcare, gaming, aerospace and defense, Axos Bank’s Middle Market Banking division will provide industry-leading treasury management services, comprehensive banking services, and tailored financing solutions to middle market companies.

Mr. Ilkov joins Axos as Executive Vice President, Head of Middle Market/Mid Corp Banking from Umpqua Bank, where he was responsible for serving clients in the Southwest region. Prior to Umpqua Bank, Mr. Ilkov spent fifteen years at Bank of the West/BNP Paribas, the world’s 3^rd largest financial institution, serving in various roles, including Managing Director and Senior Vice President.

“We continue to expand our commercial lending capabilities and talent base through opportunistic additions to our team,” said David Park, Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking and Treasury Management at Axos. “We are confident that Kris has the relationships and expertise to grow our Middle Market team in a methodical and strategic way.”

“I’m excited about building and growing the Middle Market Banking Group at Axos,” said Ilkov. “We have a strong team in place, and we will look to enhance our expertise in select industries and geographies where Axos historically has not had a significant presence in. Axos’s entrepreneurial culture and strong reputation provide me with a strong foundation for success.”

Learn more about Axos Bank’s Commercial Banking solutions here.

About Axos Bank

Axos Financial, Inc., with approximately $23.7 billion in consolidated assets as of December 31, 2024, is the holding company for Axos Bank, Axos Clearing LLC, and Axos Invest, Inc. Axos Bank provides consumer and business banking products nationwide through its low-cost distribution channels and affinity partners. Axos Clearing LLC (including its business division Axos Advisor Services), with approximately $37.7 billion of assets under custody and/or administration as of December 31, 2024, and Axos Invest, Inc., provide comprehensive securities clearing services to introducing broker-dealers and registered investment advisor correspondents, and digital investment advisory services to retail investors, respectively. Axos Financial, Inc.’s common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “AX,” and is a component of the Russell 2000® Index, the S&P SmallCap 600® Index, the KBW Nasdaq Financial Technology Index, and the Travillian Tech-Forward Bank Index. For more information regarding Axos Bank, please visit http://www.axosbank.com.