PNC to Acquire Ambassador Financial Group | January 16, 2019

PITTSBURGH – PNC Bank has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Ambassador Financial Group Inc., a provider of balance sheet management, investment banking and capital markets services to banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Terms were not disclosed. Upon the closing of the transaction, AFG will become a subsidiary of PNC Bank within its […]

PITTSBURGH – PNC Bank has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Ambassador Financial Group Inc., a provider of balance sheet management, investment banking and capital markets services to banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Terms were not disclosed. Upon the closing of the transaction, AFG will become a subsidiary...

PNC Adds to Board, Declares 95 Cents Dividend | January 4, 2019

PITTSBURGH – PNC Financial Services Group announced Thursday that it has increased the number of directors on its board to 14 and appointed three new members: Joseph Alvarado, Richard Harshman and Toni Townes-Whitley. “Each of these three new members of PNC’s board of directors have achieved significant leadership experience and business expertise within different industries […]

PITTSBURGH – PNC Financial Services Group announced Thursday that it has increased the number of directors on its board to 14 and appointed three new members: Joseph Alvarado, Richard Harshman and Toni Townes-Whitley. "Each of these three new members of PNC's board of directors have achieved significant leadership experience and...

Farmers Adds Robinson, Johnson to Private Banking Division | December 21, 2018

CANFIELD, Ohio – Farmers National Bank continues to grow its private banking division with the additions of Dallas Robinson and Stacey Johnson. Robinson (pictured) joined the bank’s current office in Wooster and Johnson will lead new efforts for Farmers private banking in the Cleveland area. Robinson brings with him 11 years of experience in the […]

CANFIELD, Ohio – Farmers National Bank continues to grow its private banking division with the additions of Dallas Robinson and Stacey Johnson. Robinson (pictured) joined the bank’s current office in Wooster and Johnson will lead new efforts for Farmers private banking in the Cleveland area. Robinson brings with him 11...

Mortgage Lenders Say Rates Still Attractive for Buyers | December 20, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Even as the Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates Dec. 19 for the fourth time in 2018, local mortgage lenders say rates are still relatively low and shouldn’t deter anyone from purchasing a home. “Rates are very attractive and still make borrowing very affordable,” says Michael Garmone, vice president of residential lending […]

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Even as the Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates Dec. 19 for the fourth time in 2018, local mortgage lenders say rates are still relatively low and shouldn’t deter anyone from purchasing a home. “Rates are very attractive and still make borrowing very affordable,” says Michael Garmone,...

Plenty of Cheer for Santa as Salary Reaches $152K | December 12, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Santa Claus has plenty to be jolly about as for the third straight year; he’s seen his salary increase, according to Insure.com’s annual Santa Index. Drawing from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Insure placed Saint Nick’s pay at $152,367 in 2018, an all-time high. His salary is up 1.96% from 2017, not […]

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Santa Claus has plenty to be jolly about as for the third straight year; he’s seen his salary increase, according to Insure.com’s annual Santa Index. Drawing from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Insure placed Saint Nick’s pay at $152,367 in 2018, an all-time high. His salary is...

Valley Car Sales Rise for Second Straight Month | December 5, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – For the second straight month, car dealers in the Mahoning Valley saw a year-over-year increase in sales, according to Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers Association, as 4,459 vehicles were sold in November, a 3.1% gain. New-car sales in the area rose 3.9% to 2,475 delivered to customers in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, […]

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – For the second straight month, car dealers in the Mahoning Valley saw a year-over-year increase in sales, according to Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers Association, as 4,459 vehicles were sold in November, a 3.1% gain. New-car sales in the area rose 3.9% to 2,475 delivered to customers in...

It Can Pay to Use Credit Cards During the Holidays | December 5, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Year-over-year, banks report use of credit cards is increasing, a trend likely to accelerate this holiday season when the number of transactions typically spikes as consumers use their cards to buy gifts. According to the 2018 Holiday Shopping Report from NerdWallet, 73% of shoppers plan to use a credit card to pay […]

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Year-over-year, banks report use of credit cards is increasing, a trend likely to accelerate this holiday season when the number of transactions typically spikes as consumers use their cards to buy gifts. According to the 2018 Holiday Shopping Report from NerdWallet, 73% of shoppers plan to use...

Banks Report Gains in 2018 and Look Ahead to 2019 | November 30, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — With 2018 almost at its end, area banks report they’ve fared well this year and expect the momentum to carry over into the new year. “Cortland Bank and almost every bank in the industry this year has seen probably one of the best years in banking,” says James Gasior, president and CEO […]

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- With 2018 almost at its end, area banks report they’ve fared well this year and expect the momentum to carry over into the new year. “Cortland Bank and almost every bank in the industry this year has seen probably one of the best years in banking,” says...

CPAs Weigh Benefits, Costs of Tax Law | November 26, 2018

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — At 184 pages, the stack of proposed regulatory changes related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or TCJA, represents one of the biggest tax law changes that William Vennetti has seen in his 23 years as a certified public accountant. “It’s a game changer,” says the principal at Packer Thomas […]

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- At 184 pages, the stack of proposed regulatory changes related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, or TCJA, represents one of the biggest tax law changes that William Vennetti has seen in his 23 years as a certified public accountant. “It’s a game changer,” says...

Protect Your Online Info this Cyber Monday | November 23, 2018

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Cyber Monday, the 24-hour online post-Thanksgiving shopping period during which consumers can snag exclusive deals and bargains, is one of the busiest days each year for online retail sales. In 2017, Cyber Monday was marked as the largest online retail sales day in U.S. history with $6.59 billion in online sales, […]

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Cyber Monday, the 24-hour online post-Thanksgiving shopping period during which consumers can snag exclusive deals and bargains, is one of the busiest days each year for online retail sales. In 2017, Cyber Monday was marked as the largest online retail sales day in U.S. history with...