Citizens Financial Group, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Cheryl Nolda as president of its Home Lending Solutions business. She oversees the residential mortgage and home equity businesses.

Nolda has 27 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Most recently, she spent 12 years at SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., where she led marketing and business development for its mortgage and consumer lending businesses. During her tenure at SunTrust, the company grew from 26th to the sixth-largest residential lender in the country.

Prior to SunTrust Mortgage, Nolda was an SVP in marketing and strategic services at Banc One Mortgage Corporation. She has also held senior management positions at GE Capital Mortgage Insurance Company, the Prudential Home Mortgage Company, and Citicorp Mortgage, Inc.

Nolda is based in Richmond, Virginia, and is a member of Citizens Financial Group’s executive leadership group.

“We are excited to have Cheryl join our growing mortgage team,” said Brad Conner, the company’s vice chairman in charge of consumer finance. “She is an industry leader who brings a wealth of experience to our organization and the customers we serve. Her leadership and depth of knowledge will serve our customers and organization well as we continue to expand this important business.”

Citizens Financial continues to expand its mortgage business. The Providence, Rhode Island-based company says it plans to hire 400 new loan officers by 2013, after already adding 100 to its staff in the past year.

In 2009, Citizens Financial increased its mortgage lending volume by 167 percent over the year prior, and the company says it continues to see robust lending volume based on strong refinancing activity.