Next weekend, the final step in the conversion of the former FirstMerit Bank to Huntington Bank takes place when the branch network switches to Huntington.
Columbus-based Huntington Bancshares, parent of Huntington Bank, acquired Akron-based FirstMerit in a $3.4 billion deal that was finalized last August.
As you drive around town, you’ve likely seen both FirstMerit and Huntington branches with new Huntington signage or temporary FirstMerit signage on top of Huntington signs.
Those will be removed over the Presidents Day weekend. The FirstMerit signage on the former downtown Akron headquarters, however, will not be changed over the conversion weekend. Company officials have said there’s not an exact date when that will change.
In anticipation of the switch, I posed questions to Huntington to help consumers navigate the change. The answers were provided by spokesman Brent Wilder.
Q: When is the bank closing and reopening during the conversion?
A: FirstMerit branches are closed from Saturday, Feb. 18, through Monday, Feb. 20, to enable preparation for their transition to Huntington on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Huntington traditional branches are open their normal hours on Saturday, Feb. 18, but closed on Monday, Feb. 20, Presidents Day. Huntington’s Giant Eagle in-store branches will be open their normal hours on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 and Presidents Day.
FirstMerit and Huntington locations that are closing permanently will be open through Friday, Feb. 17. These locations will have signs directing customers to the nearest Huntington location within the new branch network. In most cases, customers were notified of the three closest branches via a personal letter.
Q: What will happen to my accounts?
A: Huntington will convert FirstMerit accounts over the Presidents Day holiday weekend of Feb. 18 to Feb. 20, with the exception of FirstMerit mortgage accounts converting in March. Customers will have access to use their accounts, but will not have the ability to access up-to-date balances until Wednesday, Feb. 22. Customers will need to complete a simple online banking enrollment process at www.huntington.com starting Feb. 21.
Q: Do I need to get new checks or can I use my old checks?
A: Customers can use their existing FirstMerit check stock until it runs out. Huntington systems will recognize the prior account information and apply it to customers’ new Huntington accounts.
Q: What will happen to my direct deposits or automatic payments? Do I need to make any special arrangements?
A: Huntington will transfer direct deposits and automated payments received from other entities, such as your insurance carrier or cable company. Customers using FirstMerit’s bill payment service should check their bill pay records to ensure payee payments are scheduled for timely receipt.
Huntington’s bill pay works differently than FirstMerit’s. When making a payment, be sure to select the date you want the money to be sent instead of the date that you want the bill to be paid. Huntington bill pay will indicate the amount of time necessary to ensure the payment is made before it is due. Some types of payments take longer than others.
Unlike FirstMerit, Huntington debits funds for your bill payment on the day the payment is initiated (if made by 4 p.m. EST), not on the day the payment is delivered.
If you pay bills electronically directly through a vendor’s website, you will need to update your payment information with new Huntington details.
Q: Do I need new debit or credit cards?
A: New debit cards will be sent by mail for arrival just prior to conversion, for activation starting Feb. 21. Huntington-branded credit cards will be mailed between Feb. 22 and Feb. 28. Customers can continue using their FirstMerit cards until the new cards are received.
Q: Will my online banking change?
A: Customers will need to enroll for online banking at www.huntington.com starting Feb. 21, and can then activate Huntington’s mobile app. Customers can continue to view balances and account history Feb. 17 through Feb. 20 at www.firstmerit.com using existing login details. Updated balances will appear Feb. 22 on www.huntington.com.
To establish Huntington online banking access, you’ll need your Social Security number, along with your FirstMerit online banking username, or your FirstMerit debit card number and PIN, or your FirstMerit account number. You’ll also need access to a phone line you have previously provided to FirstMerit that the bank will call to verify your enrollment. Don’t worry, you can call 888-554-4362 after Feb. 21 if you need to have a phone number added to your account to complete the process. You’ll then finalize your Huntington login and online banking preferences to gain access to Huntington online banking, where you can view your previous transaction history and bill pay details, as well as activate your Huntington debit card.
Q: I’ve heard some branches are closing. Where are they, when will they close and why?
A: Customers of home branches closing within the legacy FirstMerit and Huntington branch networks have been notified of pending closings, and signs directing customers to the nearest Huntington branch can be found at closed branches. All branches that will not remain open will have their last day of business Feb. 17.
The bank is closing 103 branches in five states and 17 in the Akron area. Three branches on the original proposed closure list now are staying open: the FirstMerit branch at 3311 Kent Road in Stow and Huntington branches 965 E. Cherry St., Canal Fulton, and 4879 Portage St. NW, North Canton.
The following Akron-area FirstMerit branches will close within Summit, Stark, Wayne, Medina and Portage counties:
• 102 Main St., Wadsworth
• 9717 State Route 14, Streetsboro
• 832 W. Maple St., Hartville
• 9777 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg
• 210 N. Main St., Rittman
These Huntington branches in the Akron region will close:
• 3630 Center Road, Brunswick
• 1065 N. Court St.., Suite C, Medina
• 1500 E. Main St., Kent
• 1340 N. Main St., North Canton
• 3504 Tuscarawas St. W, Canton
• 39 E. Market St., Akron
• 2875 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls
• 4086 Massillon Road, Uniontown
• 5801 Darrow Road, Hudson
• 1011 E. Aurora Road, Macedonia
• 3899-A Medina Road, Akron
• 445 W. Milltown Road, Wooster
Q: Are there any changes to my safe deposits? What if I have a safe deposit at a branch that is closing?
A: Any affected safe deposit box customers will have been notified of relocation.
Q: What are some of the products or services that Huntington has that FirstMerit didn’t?
A: Huntington is the only bank in the country to offer “24-Hour Grace,” which provides customers the opportunity to avoid overdraft fees by restoring balances within the next business day. Also, all Huntington ATMs offer envelope-free deposits. Huntington applies deposits via ATM or mobile app up to midnight on the same day.
Q: What about the mobile app? Do I need to delete the FirstMerit one and install a Huntington one?
A: Customers will need to install the Huntington mobile app after establishing online banking access. The FirstMerit app will be shut down as part of conversion weekend with account details transferred to be viewable by the Huntington app after customers complete the online banking access registration process and download the app.
Q: Will my loans be affected?
A: They will all transfer to Huntington. Only mortgage loans won’t convert until March and will still be accessible at FirstMerit.com.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty.