Former Patriot Bank president Richard Muskus Jr. has joined Stamford-based First County Bank as senior vice president, chief lending officer and director of business banking.

Muskus will take over for Sara Tucker, who plans to retire at the end of March. Tucker has been transitioning her responsibilities over to Muskus, First County Bank said in a statement.

“First County Bank has been a cornerstone in serving the local business community for over 170 years,” Muskus said in the statement. “I look forward to directing the strong and established Business Banking division, while supporting our clients with customized solutions to meet their goals as the Bank expands its market presence and community impact.”

Muskus has over 30 years of community banking experience in Southern Connecticut and the New York metro area, the statement said. He was most recently the chief revenue officer at New York-based Carver Federal Savings Bank. He became president and a director at Patriot Bank in 2017 and was previously the bank’s chief lending officer. Patriot Bank eliminated the role of president in 2020 as part of a leadership reorganization.

At First County Bank, Muskus will be responsible for business development, loan production and portfolio management, the statement said, and he will also support small businesses seeking community development opportunities. Muskus is a member of the bank’s senior management team and will report to Chairman and CEO Robert Granata.

“I am thrilled to have Richard join First County Bank and lead our Business Banking Division,” Granata said in the statement. “With his extensive background in the financial industry, I am confident that he will support the strategic initiatives set forth for this division, while effectively managing our current client portfolio.”