From Home Savings, to Premier, to WesBanco; name change planned for Downtown Youngstown tower
Youngstown’s skyline will likely appear different a year from now after a new owner takes control of Premier Bank.
A Premier Bank representative tells 21 News that WesBanco Incorporated plans to put its name in place of the “Premier” name on the top of the tower known for a long time as the Home Savings and Loan building.
According to an email from Premier Bank’s Diana Timkovich, the merger with WesBanco is expected to be completed by mid-2025, which will include converting Premier branches and the downtown Youngstown tower to WesBanco offices.
Built in 1919, the illuminated sign atop the building at 275 West Federal Street with an iconic clock tower was changed from “Home Savings” to “Premier” in 2020 following a merger between the two financial institutions.
WesBanco, a West Virginia-based bank holding company, and Premier Financial announced the proposed merger in July.
Under the agreement, WesBanco will exchange shares of its common stock for the outstanding shares of Premier's common stock in an all-stock transaction.
Premier shareholders will be entitled to receive 0.80 of a share of WesBanco common stock for each share of the Premier common stock they own once the merger is effective for an aggregate merger consideration valued at approximately $959 million or $26.66 per share.
Once the merger is completed, WesBanco will have over 250 financial centers and loan protection offices across nine states.
Additionally, the merger would expand WesBanco's franchise by 73 financial centers located primarily throughout northern Ohio, as well as southern Michigan and northeast Indiana. Premier Financial Corp. is headquartered in Defiance, Ohio and acts as the holding company for Premier Bank headquartered in Youngstown.
Premier Bank has several locations across the Mahoning Valley.