Bank of America will add 13 small-business bankers locally

Bank of America announced Wednesday it has added 13 small-business bankers as it expands its staff in Las Vegas.

Five more will be hired throughout Nevada next year as part of the bank's initiative to hire some 1,000 small-business bankers nationwide.

The bankers will consult with small-business owners at their place of business and assess their companies' deposit, credit and cash management needs.

While the region's economy is dominated by casinos, hospitals, government and education, Bank of America said there are plenty of small businesses to invest in locally. The bank said it extended nearly $63 million in loans to small businesses in Nevada in the first half of the year.

The hiring in Las Vegas was announced despite plans by Bank of America to eliminate some 30,000 jobs worldwide over the next three years.