Bank accounts to change hands

THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN
WARREN -- Second National Bank is buying about $4.8 million in accounts housed at First National Bank's Howland office, which is scheduled to be closed in January.
Once the switch is complete, the accounts will be accessible and serviced at any Second National Bank branch. The accounts all have balances of $100,000 or less.
The transaction will take effect in January, pending approval by federal regulators
Warren-based Second National has two offices nearby -- its Howland office at 525 Niles-Cortland Road, and its Eastwood Mall office at 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road.
First National, formerly known as Metropolitan National Bank, changed its name this month to that of its Hermitage, Pa.-based sister company.
Gary Roberts, a senior executive vice president for First National, said Second National is buying all the accounts from the Howland branch, including individual and small business accounts.
Roberts said the Howland branch at 1985 Niles-Cortland Road "never reached its potential," so First National decided recently to close it. Employees there will be transferred to other First National offices, he said.
Darryl E. Mast, a senior vice president at Second National, said the bank has hired a former Metropolitan National employee who will help to assure a smooth transition of accounts and continuity of service day-to-day.
Second National has 36 branches in nine Ohio counties. First National has 12 branches in Mahoning, Trumbull, Geauga and Lake counties.