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FirstMerit is a banking institution with roots reaching more than 160 years into Northeast Ohio history. We have been a vital force in the lives of our customers and communities since 1845.
Each individual bank that has joined our corporation brought with it the practice of Community Banking - local management, local decision-making and local community boards. That principle continues today as our corporate philosophy. We can deliver all the products and services of a big bank, yet meet the needs of our individual customers and communities in a personal way.
1981 First Bancorporation of Ohio forms with First National Bank of Ohio and Old Phoenix National Bank of Medina.
1982 The Twinsburg Banking Company is acquired.
1984 Stark County's Exchange Bank in Canal Fulton joins First Bancorporation.
1985 The Corporation enters Cuyahoga County in 1985 by purchasing 18 banking offices from another bank.
1987 Branches in Portage and Erie Counties are added.
1988 People Federal Savings Bank in Wooster is acquired.
1989 First National Bank in Massillon comes aboard.
1990 People Savings Bank serving Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga Counties merges.
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1994 The Great Northern Financial Corporation follows suit.
1995 The largest acquisition in our history occurs, when CIVISTA Corporation in Canton, Ohio, parent of Citizens Savings, joins us. That same year, the holding company name is changed to FirstMerit Corporation.
1997 Our lines of business expand, when we acquire Abell & Associates, a nationally known life insurance and financial consulting firm.
1998 CoBancorp, parent of PremierBank, and Jefferson Savings bank merge. In October, Security First Corporation, with its Security Federal and First Federal of Kent banks, becomes part of FirstMerit.
1999 In February, we acquire Signal Corp. in Wooster, Ohio, adding 32 branches in North Central Ohio and FirstMerit's first presence in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
2009
FirstMerit signs a definitive purchase and assumption agreement to acquire $1.2 billion of deposits and 24 Chicago-area branches from St. Louis-based First Bank. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010. FirstMerit will also acquire substantially all of the asset-based loans from an affiliate of First Bank under a separate loan purchase agreement. This transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Current Facts
Today, FirstMerit has 156 banking offices in 25 Ohio and Western Pennsylvania counties, and assets of $10.8 billion. Our community commitment and financial strength show that from generation to generation, FirstMerit has been a vital force in the lives of our communities and our customers. It is our desire to continue that record of service and excellence long into the future.
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