George Washington Savings Bank Closed!

FirstMerit Bank, National Association, Akron, Ohio, Assumes All of the Deposits of George Washington Savings Bank, Orland Park, Illinois

George Washington Savings Bank, Orland Park, Illinois, was closed today by the Illinois Department of Financial Professional Regulation – Division of Banking, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with FirstMerit Bank, National Association, Akron, Ohio, to assume all of the deposits of George Washington Savings Bank.

The four branches of George Washington Savings Bank will reopen on Saturday as branches of FirstMerit Bank, N.A. Depositors of George Washington Savings Bank will automatically become depositors of FirstMerit Bank, N.A. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from FirstMerit Bank, N.A. that it has completed systems changes to allow other FirstMerit Bank, N.A. branches to process their accounts as well.

This evening and over the weekend, depositors of George Washington Savings Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

Customers who have questions about today’s transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-837-0215. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Central Standard Time (CST); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., CST; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., CST; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., CST. Interested parties also can visit the FDIC’s website.

George Washington Savings Bank is the 19th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the second in Illinois. The last FDIC-insured institution closed in the state was Town Community Bank and Trust, Antioch, on January 15, 2010.

FDIC 02/19/10