A former commercial loan officer with more than 30 years of banking experience has joined Charter Oak Federal Credit Union's business lending division.

Robert Beeckman is the new vice president of business lending at the $763 million Charter Oak in Groton, Conn.

With his commercial lending experience, Beeckman's knowledge of eastern Connecticut's business community will help Charter Oak further expand its business lending portfolio in New London and Windham counties, said Brian Orenstein, president/CEO of the credit union.

Before joining Charter Oak, Beeckman served for a decade as assistant vice president-commercial loan officer with the business banking group at Putnam Bank. His career of more than 30 years also includes experience in commercial and private banking areas at such financial institutions as The Savings Institute, First Union National Bank, Fleet Bank and The Connecticut Bank & Trust Co., his new employer said.

Beeckman will be working with Jane Moriarty, who has served as vice president of business lending for Charter Oak since 2009, according to the credit union.