WARREN Top lending executive is promoted to COO

First Place names replacement for Jeff Francis, who retired earlier this year.
THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO
WARREN -- First Place Financial Corp. is promoting Albert Blank to executive vice president and chief operating officer of First Place Bank, its chief subsidiary.
The promotion, which is effective Tuesday, comes after the retirement of Jeff Francis in April. Francis had held those two posts.
Francis had been president of FFY Bank of Boardman before it merged with First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Warren in 2000. The merger created First Place Bank.
Blank has 19 years experience in banking. Prior to joining First Place in 2000 as senior vice president of retail lending, he had been president of sales for Republic Banc Mortgage Corp.
Under Blank's direction, First Place's mortgage loans have grown from $200 million annually to $1 billion in this fiscal year.
"Al has been extremely instrumental in building a top performing loan origination and processing team and opening loan production offices throughout Ohio," said Steven Lewis, president and chief executive of First Place Financial Corp.
Blank now will oversee retail banking, business financial services and mortgage and consumer lending.
Also, Bruce Wenmoth is joining the bank as senior vice president of retail lending. He has more than 20 years experience in banking.
First Place is based in Warren but is expanding with offices throughout the state, including the Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo and Cincinnati areas. It has 24 branches and 12 loan production offices.
Besides the bank, the holding company operates First Place Insurance Agency, Coldwell Banker First Place Real Estate, TitleWorks and APB Financial Group.