AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstMerit Bank has been named "Best Regional Bank" in the Midwest by Money magazine as part of the publication's "Best Banks in America 2015-16" feature. Focusing on FirstMerit's Reality Platinum Checking account product, Money cited such benefits as yield, no out-of-network ATM fees, 0.5% discount on home-equity lines of credit and a 0.25% discount on personal loans with automatic payments from the account.

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"We are pleased to be recognized by Money for how we put our customers first through our checking account products," said Jim Brocklehurst, executive vice president, Consumer Banking. "As a regional bank, FirstMerit offers the products and services of larger financial institutions, delivered by talented employees across our Midwest footprint, all with a goal of conveniently saving our customers money and time."

Not only do customers expect competitive financial products, they also expect to be able to access and manage their money when and how they want. FirstMerit recognizes the importance of providing customers with the services they seek via the channels they prefer - in-person, online, through the phone or through their mobile phone. The Bank's Money Movement services make it easier than ever for customers to manage their money - through online banking and bill pay, Apple Pay, Popmoney for person-to-person payments, mobile deposit, external transfers via online or mobile banking and more. Banking at the speed of life is just one more way FirstMerit is putting its customers first.

Money surveyed the 50 largest brick-and-mortar banks and the 25 largest online banks by consumer deposits, based on data from financial services consulting firm Novantas, and asked banks to verify information about account terms, ATM networks, branch hours, mobile-app features, and other perks.

For Best Regional Banks, Money chose winners based largely on maintenance fees and ease of waiving them, ATM fees, and checking account yields; savings account yields, preferential loan terms, ATM-fee reimbursements, and geographic reach were considered tiebreakers.

About FirstMerit Corporation

FirstMerit Corporation (Nasdaq: FMER) is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of approximately $25.2 billion as of September 30, 2015, and 367 banking offices and 399 ATM locations in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Pennsylvania. FirstMerit provides a complete range of banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses through its core operations. Principal affiliates include: FirstMerit Bank, N.A. and FirstMerit Mortgage Corporation. For more information, visit us at firstmerit.com.

FirstMerit Corporation
Media Contact: Rob Townsend
Phone: 330.384.7075
E-mail: robert.townsend@firstmerit.com

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SOURCE FirstMerit Bank