Business

By Northwest Bank— Warren, Pennsylvania —Northwest Bancshares, Inc., (the “Company”), (NasdaqGS: NWBI) announced net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 of $35.1 million, or $0.28 per diluted share.  This represents an increase of $9.5 million, or 37.0%, compared to the same quarter last year when net income was $25.6 million, or $0.24 per diluted share.  The annualized returns on average shareholders’ equity and average assets for the quarter ended December 31, 2020 were 9.00% and 1.01% compared to 7.52% and 0.97% for the same quarter last year. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash…

By First Merchants— Muncie, IN—First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has reported fourth quarter 2020 net income of $45.1 million compared to $47.8 million during the same period in 2019. Earnings per share for the period totaled $.83 per share compared to fourth quarter 2019 result of $.87 per share. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 totaled $148.6 million, compared to $164.5 million during the same period in 2019. Year-to-date earnings per share totaled $2.74 compared to $3.19 in 2019. Total assets equaled $14.1 billion as of year-end and loans totaled $9.2 billion. The Corporation’s loan portfolio…

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on this six part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Scroll through the Facebook page for Gordy Fine Art & Framing Company. You’ll see 93-year-old Bob Shears, grinning at a custom map of his WWII tour of duty that Gordy framed and shipped to his Las Vegas home. You’ll watch a black frame transform into a silver one. You’ll see Easel Monster, host of a YouTube educational comedy, pop into the shop. Or you’ll see the pottery and paintings of…

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on this six part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — George Insurance Group’s promise is to “overwhelm families and businesses with customer service, responsiveness and a personal touch that you have never seen.” “Our new tagline is ‘where relationships are built …,’ and we live out that model every day by working hard with our clients to be more than just their insurance provider.  We strive to know our clients.  The more we learn about a person, the stronger…

By Amanda Price— Muncie, IN—Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) will begin a new route to the Delaware County Justice & Rehabilitation Center on Monday February 1st, 2021. The new route will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The new route closely resembles the current Route 12: Ivy Tech.  Route 17 will pull in on the West side of the transfer station and take High to Adams to Liberty to Hoyt to 26th to Tillotson.  It will pull into the new Justice Center and drop off/pick up in front of the facility before exiting back onto South…

By First Merchants— Muncie, IN– First Merchants Corporation (NASDAQ – FRME) has announced Jeff Parsons as its new president for the company’s Muncie market. Parsons will oversee all market operations and build upon the company’s recent growth and success in the city it has called home for more than 125 years. Parsons joined First Merchants Bank in 1989 and has served in various operational and customer relationship roles. He currently leads a team of commercial banking professionals focused on providing financial solutions and advice to First Merchants clients. Parsons will continue in this role in addition to serving as Market President….

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on this six part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Hundreds of comic junkies join Christina Blanch on Facebook Live a few times each week as the store owner walks through Muncie’s Aw Yeah Comics — juggling her phone as she calls out titles and various toys for sale. She pauses to write down names when followers “claim” the items during the show, and they settle up online or in person at the shop located at 119 E. Charles…

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on a six-part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Suzanne Clem is in the business of listening. As director of Community Awareness at Open Door Health Services, Clem connects with neighbors about their needs related to healthcare and access. She hears what makes them feel valued and safe, then she works with leaders at Open Door to build those hopes and considerations into programs and services at the East Central Indiana nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center. “We all know…

By Kate Elliott— Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on a six-part series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times.   Muncie, IN — Thomas Business Center has called downtown Muncie home since 1930. CF Thomas established the business in the Wysor Building before transitioning to the Johnson Building. From there, he moved the store above the HL Green Dollar Store before setting up shop in the Rose Court Building. In 1954, CF built the present location at 333 N. Franklin St., which stands aside the north entrance to Muncie’s downtown. “Thomas Business Center,…