On the heels of its recent announcement about the national expansion of its commercial bank, and an increased focus on growth industries, Citizens Financial Group announced todaythat David L. O’Brien will join veteran Boston-based Citizens banker Jane Westrich as part of a focused effort to expand Citizens’ commercial banking capabilities serving companies in the security alarm industry.

O’Brien, who is based in Chicago, was hired as director of Specialized Banking. With more than 20 years of experience in structuring, underwriting and closing middle-market financing transactions, O’Brien previously worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, GE Capital and General Electric Co. He earned his MBA from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Louisville.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dave to the team as we continue to grow our expertise serving the security alarm industry,” said Greg Buscone, senior vice president and Market Manager of Specialized Banking at RBS Citizens, the commercial banking division of Citizens Financial Group. “Dave’s experience serving security alarm companies will be a great addition to the team as we work with our clients in this industry to help them grow and meet their financial goals.”

Citizens’ increased national focus on growth industries includes the sectors of health care, technology, and franchise finance, according to a press release issued by the firm.Citizens also announced earlier this year that it will be changing the name of its commercial banking division from RBS Citizens to Citizens Commercial Banking later this year.

“I’m excited to join the Citizens commercial banking team at this important time for the bank,” O’Brien said. “There is a lot of momentum as the commercial bank expands nationally and I look forward to helping to grow Citizens’ security alarm business.”

Citizens Financial Group Inc., headquartered in Providence, R.I., reported $130.3 billion in assets as of June 30, 2014. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers corporate, institutional and not-for-profit clients a full range of wholesale banking products and services including lending and deposits, capital markets, treasury services, foreign exchange and interest hedging, leasing and asset finance, specialty finance and trade finance.

For information, visit citizensbank.com.