AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstMerit Bank announced today that it has launched three exciting reward programs for its checking account holders who use FirstMerit debit cards.

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FirstMerit Shop & Earn is automatically provided to all FirstMerit retail and wealth checking customers who participate in online banking and have an active FirstMerit debit card. Participants will receive targeted cash back reward offers from participating merchants based on their shopping habits. The more customers use their FirstMerit debit cards, the more offers they receive. There is no charge for this program.

MeritRewards Shop & Earn program which includes the cash back rewards from participating merchants plus additional valuable rewards and bonuses. Within this program, FirstMerit debit card users earn $0.05 for each purchase of $20 or more. Also, customers who open a new retail or wealth checking account can earn an activation bonus of up to $150 for utilizing Direct Deposit, Online/Bill Pay and/or Paperless Statements. There is a charge of $1 per month for this program which is waived for Reality Gold Checking, Reality Platinum Checking and Consolidated Financial Management Account customers.

MeritRewards Shop, Earn & Protect has all of the benefits of MeritRewards Shop & Earn and adds comprehensive identity theft protection. This program is free of charge for Reality Platinum Checking and Consolidated Financial Management Account customers. For Reality Gold Checking accountholders, there is a monthly $5.00 charge.  For Reality Checking and all other checking accountholders, there is a monthly $8.00 charge.

"We are excited to give added value to our customers and look forward to offering them a combination of cash rewards, money-saving offers and protection from identity theft," said Julie Tutkovics, chief marketing officer at FirstMerit. "Our customers mean everything to us and these programs are a fun and valuable way to put them first."

For more information on FirstMerit's debit card reward programs, visit www.firstmerit.com/rewardprograms.

About FirstMerit

FirstMerit Corporation (Nasdaq: FMER) 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 Corporation
Media Contact: Robert Townsend/Media Relations Officer
Phone: 330.384.7075

SOURCE FirstMerit Bank