BUSINESS NEWS | Huntington opens new bank branches

Huntington opens new bank branches

YOUNGSTOWN

Huntington National Bank has opened new in-store branches in Youngstown and at 103 Giant Eagle supermarkets throughout the state.

As part of an exclusive 15-year agreement, the full-service branches — open seven days a week — will provide customers with enhanced options at two Youngstown locations.

The two locations are 476 Boardman-Canfield Road and 5220 Mahoning Ave. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nasdaq sends letter to First Place

WARREN

First Place Financial Corp. reported Tuesday it has received a letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Staff, advising that the company remains noncompliant due to delayed filing of three quarterly reports.

First Place intends to request a hearing, which will tentatively prevent it from being delisted through at least June 8.

Steven Lewis, president and CFO, said the delay in filings has to do with a review of the company’s allowance for loan losses. He said First Place is “seeking a timely completion to this work ... our priority is to ensure that it is done correctly.”

FirstEnergy report

AKRON

FirstEnergy Corp. announced Tuesday at its annual meeting of shareholders that its merger with Allegheny Energy in February has increased the utility customer base by 35 percent and its generating resources by 70 percent.

FirstEnergy has become the largest electric utility in the United States based on customers served, the largest owner of transmission assets in its region, and one of the largest owners of competitive generation in the nation.

ATHENA Awards are Thursday

BOARDMAN

The 19th annual ATHENA Awards begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at Mr. Anthony’s, 7440 South Ave.

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and The Vindicator will honor professional women of the Mahoning Valley.

Protesters turn out at Chase meeting

COLUMBUS, Ohio

Shareholders trying to get into JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s annual meeting Tuesday in this midwestern city were greeted by heavy security and more than 400 protesters shouting slogans outside every entrance.

At least one person was handcuffed after a group of about 400 protesters marched up to Chase’s property and placed a sign on a raft floating in a pond in the bank’s premises. The sign read: “Foreclosed: Chase sinks our economy.”

At least 20 police cruisers circled the building.

Vindicator staff/wire reports