Bank Closures: A Snowflake In The Coming Avalanche

CLEVELAND, Ohio – “Huntington Bank plans to close 70 branches, including 17 in Greater Cleveland. The closures are expected around the first of the year. Of the affected branches, 30 are in Ohio. But Huntington is still expected to have the largest number of branches in Ohio.

The Columbus-based bank has seen significant growth in recent years, both because of its 2016 purchase of FirstMerit Bank in Akron, and because it has brought an attractive message to consumers tired of fees and gotcha games that some banks play.

But now it’s pulling back on the growth, at least in terms of branch numbers. The closures will represent about 7 percent of Huntington’s branches. These follow Huntington’s closure of more than 100 branches in 2016 and 2017 following its purchase of FirstMerit.

The bank hasn’t yet indicated the locations that will close. And Huntington hasn’t yet determined how many employees will lose their jobs. “It’s our goal to place the vast majority of our branch colleagues in other roles where they can continue their career with Huntington,” spokeswoman Emily Smith said.”