HarborOne Credit Union of Brockton has formed a commercial lending division, focusing on small- to medium-sized businesses in Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, the company announced.

"This is something we’ve been thinking about for some time," said James W. Blake, HarborOne president and CEO. "As the economic climate has gotten more challenging, we’ve seen increased interest from business owners for commercial lending services. They are looking for a more personal level of service that’s difficult to get from the bigger institutions. The fact that we are based here and focused locally is also something they value."

In a statement, HarborOne said offerings will include lines of credit, term loans and commercial mortgages to businesses with borrowing needs between $500,000 and $2.5 million. The new division will operate from its Brockton headquarters.

HarborOne can offer more than $200 million in lending to the local business community. As a preferred SBA lender, HarborOne can also expedite SBA loan approvals, the company said.

"Access to financing is what local companies need to grow. It’s what helps preserve and create jobs," said Friend S. Weiler, HarborOne’s new senior vice president of commercial lending. "Turmoil in the financial markets has choked off this access for a lot of companies and we’re excited about being able to offer a new source of financing to the local business community."

Weiler has been joined in HarborOne’s commercial lending division by Vice Presidents Joan Richards and James Hanlon.