FirstMerit completes conversion of Midwest Bank & Trust branches

AKRON, Ohio — FirstMerit Corp. said Wednesday it has converted its Chicago and suburban Midwest Bank and Trust branches to the FirstMerit brand. All branches reopened as FirstMerit on Saturday, Oct. 9

FirstMerit acquired Melrose Park-based Midwest from the FDIC on May 14, following its acquisition of George Washington Savings Bank in February and the Chicago-area branches of First Bank in November 2009.

“This marks the full unification of our three acquisitions into the FirstMerit brand, systems and culture, Paul Greig, FirstMerit chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement. “In less than a year, FirstMerit, one of the country's strongest and most stable banks, has gone from having no presence in Chicago to being the 14th largest bank in terms of deposits. Our 47 total branches are located throughout the Chicago area in locations convenient to where our customers live and work. We look forward to providing our world-class service to our communities.

During the conversion, three Midwest branches were closed on Oct. 9 due to proximity to other FirstMerit locations. All employees from the closed branches were reassigned to nearby locations with no loss of jobs.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 18, and continuing through Nov. 16, all 47 Chicago area FirstMerit branches will hold grand opening celebrations with sweepstakes drawings for $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000 as well as tickets for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra performance at Allstate Arena on November 26. Each branch also will be holding drawings for $50 and $25 FirstMerit MasterCard gift cards.