Nashville, TN-basedAvenue Bank has added three bankers to its private client team, in a move to expand its expertise on the medical industry, physician practices and professional services firms.

Leading the new division is Steve Jaynes, senior vice president and director of private client banking - medical and professional services. Jaynes retired from SunTrust’s medical banking group in 2011, but has returned to medical banking having joined Avenue.

Private client bankers Bob Lawhon and Mike Blanchard also join the firm’s medical and professional services team as senior vice presidents, with 20 years and 35 years experience in the industry, respectively. Prior to joining Avenue both held similar positions at SunTrust Bank.

The new hires are part of the bank’s efforts to specialize in certain industries, said chairman and chief executive officer, Ron Samuels. "The medical and professional services market has been a target for us for some time."

Avenue Bank opened in July 2007 and now has 11 private client bankers among its 109 employees.