Ohio

Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati will operate without a board chairman or vice chairman after three directors announced their plans to retire.

Huntington Bancshares plans to close more than 100 branches in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin after it completes its acquisition of FirstMerit.

The Cleveland company appointed Christopher Gorman as merger integration executive, according to a news release. Gorman previously was president of KeyCorp's corporate bank.

James Hackett, chairman of the board of directors at Fifth Third Bancorp, is stepping down.

Peoples Bancorp in Marietta, Ohio, has obtained a $15 million credit line and has paid off an earlier loan.

A new survey from seven regional Federal Reserve banks found that many small businesses are going online to access credit. But even when they are approved, applicants often end up dissatisfied because the loans carry high interest rates or have unfavorable repayment terms.

DCB Financial in Lewis Center, Ohio, has given its chief executive the added title of chairman.

KeyCorp in Cleveland will retain two top First Niagara Financial Group executives after it closes its acquisition of the Buffalo, N.Y., company.

Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati said Thursday that it will spend $27.5 billion over the next five years to provide loans and other financial services to underserved communities in its region.

Stephen Steinour, chief executive of Huntington Bancshares in Columbus, Ohio, has pursued a risky strategy of taking losses in exchange for adding new customers, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.

TFS Financial in Cleveland reported higher fourth-quarter profit, citing a $1 million negative loan-loss provision.

Huntington Bancshares in Columbus, Ohio, has agreed to buy FirstMerit in Akron, Ohio.

United Community Financial in Youngstown, Ohio, has agreed to buy James & Sons Insurance.

At least five regional banks on Thursday discarded concerns about the global economy, stocks, interest rates and credit quality, forecasting loan growth for the rest of this year.

Huntington Bancshares in Columbus, Ohio, reported higher fourth-quarter earnings, citing increases in commercial and auto lending and fees from deposit accounts and payment processing.

KeyCorp reported lower quarterly results that reflected higher expenses and lower fee income.

Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati on Thursday reported a big spike in profits, after selling shares in the payment processor Vantiv.

Old Fort Banking in Tiffin, Ohio, has sold a controlling interest to its employees. The Old Fort Employees Stock Ownership and 401(k) plan bought a 45% stake in Gillmor Financial Services, the holding company for the $471 million-asset Old Fort.

Ohio Valley Banc Corp. in Gallipolis, Ohio, has agreed to buy Milton Bancorp in Wellston, Ohio. The $808 million-asset Ohio Valley said it will pay about $20 million in cash and stock for the parent of Milton Banking Co.

Banks have made changes to overdrafts, such as lowering fees offering clearer explanations. They better, as the CFPB will soon offer new rules for overdrafts. Plus, overdraft revenue has declined at many banks. Still unanswered is the question of how to offer short-term credit, if overdrafts disappear.