FirstMerit Appoints Pierce Vice Chairman Of FirstMerit Corporation, Chairman And CEO - FirstMerit Michigan

AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstMerit Corporation (Nasdaq: FMER) announces the appointment of Sandra (Sandy) E. Pierce as Vice Chairman of FirstMerit Corporation and Chairman and CEO – FirstMerit Michigan, effective February 1, 2013. Prior to joining FirstMerit, she was Midwest Regional Executive, President and CEO for Charter One Bank, Michigan, a division of RBS Citizens, N.A., where she had responsibilities for commercial banking and all state bank activities in Michigan as well as oversight of all state activities in Illinois and Ohio.

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Pierce will have direct oversight of and responsibility for Retail Banking, Wealth Management Services, Corporate Marketing and coordination of FirstMerit's anticipated business activities in the state of Michigan following the expected merger with Citizens. She will report directly to Paul G. Greig, Chairman, President and CEO of FirstMerit.

"I have known Sandy for nearly 20 years and have been very impressed with her professionalism, her accomplishments and her commitment to businesses, individuals and the communities she serves. We are excited to welcome her to our executive leadership team," said Greig. "Sandy's experience with and knowledge of the Michigan banking market will be invaluable with our pending integration with Citizens as well as future growth opportunities."

Her banking career spans more than 30 years. Before joining Charter One in 2004, Pierce held several key executive positions at JPMorgan Chase, Bank One and First Chicago NBD. Responsibilities have included commercial banking, retail banking, private client services, systems integration, merger-related conversion activities and marketing.

Pierce received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing and her MBA in Business Administration/Finance from Wayne State University. She is a board member of Barton Barlow Enterprises and Penske Automotive Group. She serves as chair of the Detroit Financial Advisory Board and chair of the Henry Ford Health System. Current and past business associations and civic involvements include board membership on Business Leaders for Michigan (Vice Chair, Executive Committee; Audit Chair); Detroit Economic Club (Board of Directors; Executive Committee); Detroit Regional Chamber (Prior Chair); and The Parade Company (Chair, Board of Directors).

She has earned numerous recognitions for her service over the years, including the Angel of Grace Award from the Grace Centers of Hope (2012); Crain's Detroit Business Most Powerful Women (2011); dBusiness Powered by Detroit Women (2011); Detroit News Michiganian of the Year (2011); Crain's Detroit Business Most Powerful People (2010 and 2006); Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion Humanitarian Award (2009); and others.

She will continue to reside in Northville, Mich., with her family and divide her time between Michigan and Akron.

About FirstMeritFirstMerit Corporation is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of $14.6 billion as of September 30, 2012 and 196 banking offices and 204 ATM locations in Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Chicago, Illinois areas. 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., FirstMerit Mortgage Corporation, FirstMerit Title Agency, Ltd. and FirstMerit Community Development Corporation.

FirstMerit CorporationMedia Contact: Rob TownsendPhone: [phone]E-mail: [e-mail] 

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