Bank of America Home Loans has opened a new customer outreach center in Dedham to serve customers in the Boston area and surrounding region.

Bank of America homeownership retention specialists will be meeting face-to-face with financially troubled mortgage customers who are having difficulty making their monthly payments. Dedicated associates also are available to help customers facing hardship with their auto, credit cards and personal loans.

"While we have already assisted 13,000 Massachusetts homeowners with permanent modifications since January 2008, we recognize the need for additional outreach efforts in the area," said Glenda Gabriel, Neighborhood Lending executive for Bank of America Home Loans.

A mobile team of Bank of America Home Loans associates has been working in Massachusetts since May, taking financial information, providing counseling and beginning the mortgage modification process.

Homeownership retention specialists at the outreach center will meet with homeowners by appointment only, according to a statement.