Huntington Bancshares reports earnings, progress

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Huntington Bancshares Inc. reported its second-quarter earnings Thursday, which included a quarterly cash dividend of 4 cents per common share.

Net income rose from $126.4 million to $145.9 million, a 15-percent increase.

“We feel very good about the progress we’re making,” said Jay Gould, director of investor relations. “We think it speaks volumes about how far we’ve come.”

Huntington also reported a 9.9-percent increase in checking accounts, thanks to its Fair Play and Asterisk Free programs, the latter of which offers customers free maintenance and minimum-balance requirements. It had expected a 7.5-percent increase.

Huntington has several branches throughout the Mahoning Valley.