Google expansion

Google expansion

Google has announced the expansion of its live traffic feature to the city of Youngstown and about 130 other cities across the U.S.

Created in 2008, live traffic is a free service that allows Google Maps users to see current traffic conditions, as well as estimated travel times online. Youngstown is one of only four cities in Ohio to receive this new technology as part of the expansion.

Farmers’ rating

CANFIELD

Bank Director Magazine, a national publication for leaders in American banking, rated Farmers National Banc Corp. 52nd for banks with assets between $1 billion and $5 billion.

There are 467 banks ranked in this year’s scorecard. Rankings are based on a review of each bank’s profitability, capital strength and asset quality. According to the magazine, banks cannot achieve a high rating unless they demonstrate excellence in all areas.

Bank Director evaluates overall performance and states it must be balanced as opposed to a given bank doing extraordinarily well in just one area.

Armstrong honored for customer service

NORTH LIMA

Local telecommunications provider Armstrong has been selected by Cable Fax Magazine, a leading publication in the Telecom Industry, as its top customer-service provider in the nation for 2012. The magazine awarded the company its Independent Customer Service Award in its July issue.

“We’re very excited for our employees to receive this recognition,” said Jeff Ross, president of Armstrong’s cable division. “They work hard every day to be sure we offer our customers the best service possible. And now that hard work has been noticed nationally.”

Helping leaders

AKRON

A new online platform will transform the way emerging and existing leaders navigate the community, supported by a $50,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to Leadership Akron.

LeaderSource will help users connect with one another and highlight opportunities that match their individual interests.

The new platform will customize information on events and opportunities for involvement based on each user’s unique combination of professional skills and community interests.

Bank recognized

COLUMBUS

Huntington Bank was named the second-top- performing bank in the nation by Bank Director Magazine in its recent annual Performance Scorecard issue in the $50 billion and up category.

The scorecard lists the top performing publicly traded banks across the nation in four asset categories, from biggest to smallest, based on 2011 results. There are 467 institutions in this year’s ranking.

The only institution to score higher than Huntington was Capital One Financial Corp. with more than $200 billion in assets.

Vindicator staff reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .66, 25.32 .11

Avalon Holdings,4.18.00

Clear Channel, .73 65.25 .32

Cortland Bancorp, 10.20.00

Farmers Nat., .126.23 .03

First Energy, 2.20, 45.87—.11

FirstMerit Corp., .64,15.70 .03

First Niles Financial, .32,7.00.00

First Place Fin., .795.06

FNB Corp., .48,11.30.10

General Motors,22.01.68

General Electric, .68,21.00—.05

Motors Liquidation, .0422.00

Huntington Bank, .16, 6.52.05

JP Morgan Chase, 1.20,36.98—.12

Key Corp, .20,8.36.03

LaFarge, 11.62 —.11

Macy’s, .80, 38.95.21

Parker Hannifin, 1.64, 83.83.69

PNC, 1.60,62.05.50

RTI Intl. Metals,23.71.21

Simon Prop. Grp.,4.20,159.85.14

Stoneridge 6.68 —.06

United Community Fin. 3.05.00

Selected prices at 4 p.m. Friday. Provided by Stifel Nicolaus. Not to be construed as an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security.