In Brief: Pa. Banking Company Closing 6 Branches

To cut costs, BT Financial Corp. said it will close six branches by the end of the third quarter.

The Johnstown, Pa., company, parent of Laurel Bank, said each closed branch will be merged into one of Laurel Bank's remaining 66 offices.

"We looked at our system, and there was some redundancy," said Mark L. Sollenberger, chief financial officer of $1.7 billion-asset BT Financial. "We believe this is the best way to serve these markets."

Mr. Sollenberger said the company does not expect any layoffs with the closings.

Some employees will move to other branches, and any necessary staff reductions will occur through attrition.

Last October, BT Financial combined its three banks under the Laurel Bank name. At the time, the company said the move was taken to cut marketing costs and improve its identity in its western Pennsylvania base.

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