Banker & Tradesman file photo

Cambridge Savings Bank has provided $5.3 million in lending to support new ownership of Formaggio Kitchen, a regional chain of gourmet food stores.

Formaggio Kitchen was recently purchased by longtime employee Julia Hallman, and Cambridge Savings Bank provided a loan to help finance Hallman’s acquisition of the business, the bank said in a statement.

Hallman had worked at Formaggio Kitchen for 15 years as a senior buyer and general manager before purchasing the franchise last month, the statement said.

The bank said it also provided a revolving line of credit for working capital for Formaggio Kitchen’s next phase of growth.

“I am deeply passionate about Formaggio Kitchen, and I am honored to carry on the traditions of this historic small business,” Hallman said in the statement. “CSB has been a phenomenal local partner that is supportive of my vision to put our customers first. We’ll use the working capital to elevate the customer experience as we enter new markets, always placing our customers’ needs at the heart of our approach.”

Formaggio Kitchen, which specializes in importing specialty foods from around the globe, has operated a flagship store in Cambridge for more than 40 years. The franchise also has three retail locations in the Greater Boston area and an e-commerce store that ships goods nationwide.

The lending package will help Formaggio Kitchen introduce new efficiencies to existing business operations, the statement said. The main business functions include sourcing and retailing quality products, hosting food and beverage pairing classes, maintaining day-to-day operations and providing catering services for customers throughout Boston and the surrounding area.

“When we meet a customer that is as enthusiastic about their business as Julia is about Formaggio Kitchen, we do everything we can to form a partnership and structure a financing package that’s poised to support them,” Jessica Kouyoumjian first vice president and senior corporate banking relationship manager at Cambridge Savings Bank, said in the statement. “Julia’s transition to ownership has been a natural process and it was an honor to play a role in her acquisition of Formaggio Kitchen. We look forward to supporting her team’s continued success as they delight customers throughout the Cambridge community and beyond.”

Cambridge Savings Bank has about $6 billion in assets and branches in Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Burlington, Cambridge, Charlestown, Concord, Lexington, Melrose, Newton, Somerville and Watertown.