N🟁N

BENSALEM, Pa.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that it is investigating potential claims on behalf of shareholders of FirstMerit Corporation (aFirstMerita or the aCompanya) (NASDAQ:FMER). FirstMerit operates as a bank holding company for FirstMerit Bank, N.A., which provides various banking, fiduciary, financial, insurance and investment services to corporate, institutional and individual customers.

The investigation is related to the Companyas annual shareholder meeting held April 18, 2012, at which shareholders rejected the Companyas executive compensation proposal. The investigation concerns whether certain of the Companyas executive officers were awarded excessive salaries, bonuses or other forms of compensation that were unwarranted based on FirstMeritas financial performance.

If you purchased shares of FirstMerit, if you have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or if you wish to discuss these matters or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, Toll Free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [ howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com ], or visit our website at [ http://www.howardsmithlaw.com ].