Our Team

John Cresto, President
[email protected]
(708) 302-4181

John founded Bank Advisors Ltd. in 2005, and currently manages the firm’s bank M&A and strategic advisory practice. He has over 40 years of experience representing financial institutions, corporations, and investor groups in mergers, acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts.

While no longer practicing law, John started his career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in DuPage County Illinois, and later founded a Chicago suburban law firm focusing on community banks and investors. He later merged his practice with a major Chicago law firm, representing regional financial institutions, corporations, and investor groups. John concluded his legal career at a multinational law firm, advising many of the largest U.S. and international financial institutions.

Jeff Sondgeroth, Managing Director
[email protected]
(630) 926-2299

Jeff joined Bank Advisors in 2010 with the responsibility of managing the firm’s credit risk services and general day-to-day operations. He has since increased participation in the firm’s M&A services and now jointly manages transactions with Mr. Cresto.

Prior to joining the firm, Jeff developed direct commercial lending and banking experience with local banks, where he financed over $300 million in real estate. Jeff also served as the Finance Manager for a mid-sized real estate investment firm for 6 years, where he was responsible for the funding of 75 projects worth over $400 million. His experience as a lender, consultant, and investor gives him a unique understanding of client challenges in a changing economic and regulatory environment. Jeff received a BA in Finance from the University of Illinois in 1995.

Meghan McGuire, Senior Vice President
[email protected]

Meghan McGuire joined Bank Advisors in 2016.  She brings a wealth of Field Exam and commercial credit underwriting experience.  Her underwriting career began at a multi-billion-dollar national bank, where she received formal BAI credit training.  For the past ten years, her primary focus has been assisting growth-focused community banks meet their lending goals by providing thorough, data-driven risk analysis.  Meghan began performing asset-based lending Field Exams on behalf of client banks in 2009 and has in-depth experience in an extensive range of borrowers including general contractors, wholesalers, HIPPAA-compliant healthcare providers, staffing agencies, and manufacturers.  She understands that a continual, open dialogue with borrowers and client banks is paramount to achieving the optimal outcome for all parties.  Meghan is a native of the north suburbs of Chicago, where she and her husband, Mike, are raising their three children. ​

Julie Bromann, Senior Vice President
[email protected]

Julie originally joined Bank Advisors in 2008, and after taking a 1-year hiatus, recently re-joined our team.  Julie manages all underwriting and appraisal review services for Bank Advisors and assists with loan review services.  Julie’s has extensive experience underwriting real estate and C&I loans from $250,000 up to $30 million.  She completed a formal 2-year (underwriting) training with a national bank in the Chicagoland area.  Julie is a Licensed appraiser in the State of Illinois and currently a Candidate for Designation with the Appraisal Institute for general appraisal review.  She is also a CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), and managed high-risk audits for a national bank.

Mike Earle, Vice President
[email protected]

Michael Earle joined Bank Advisors in 2020. Mike has been involved in many facets of community banking, starting as a bank teller, and working his way through loan operations, credit analysis, and commercial lending. Mike is involved in a variety of services with Bank Advisors, including underwriting and loan review. Mike is a graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Mike is dedicated to providing excellent service and always keeps the best interest of the client in mind. Mike has been a resident of the Chicagoland area since 2005, where he and his wife, Emily, are raising their three children.

Nik Mijatovic, Vice President
[email protected]

Nik joined Bank Advisors in 2022, bringing 16 years of community banking experience in both retail and commercial sectors. He focuses on due diligence, financial analysis, and financial modeling.

Nik holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from the University of Illinois.

Dave Felkins, Vice President
[email protected]

David Felkins joined Bank Advisors in 2022. Dave has been involved in a variety of aspects of community banking, including credit analysis and loan operations. He has over 8 years of experience underwriting commercial real estate, C&I, and agricultural loans ranging from $500,000 to $30 million. Dave is a graduate of St. Francis University in Joliet, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a native of the south suburbs of Chicago.

Rob Eifel, Senior Consultant

Rob has worked with Bank Advisors since 2021 and has extensive loan review, loan underwriting, asset validation and appraisal review expertise. Rob has 25 years in the banking industry working in commercial, real estate, agricultural lending, commercial credit analysis and loan review. He has held the positions of Commercial Lender, V.P. Senior Credit Analyst and V.P. Chief Credit Officer. He spent 20 years combined working for The National Bank & Trust Company (now Old National Bank) and Resource Bank. Rob’s responsibilities as Chief Credit Officer included implementation and oversight of all credit policies, loan operations, loan servicing departments, and managing a team of credit analysts and internal appraisers. Rob earned a B.S. in Finance from Northern Illinois University. He has completed numerous coursework through the Appraisal Institute and Risk Management Association.