First Niagara Financial Group has signed a deal to acquire 57 National City Branches in western Pennsylvania. PNC, who bought National City last year, was forced to divest the branches by the US Justice Department.

In Crawford County, Marquette Savings Bank announced today that the bank has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the assets and assume the liabilities of three National City Bank branch offices in Crawford County. The acquisition is expected to close August 28, 2009 (subject to regulatory and customary closing conditions). As of December 31, 2008, Marquette reported total assets of $525.2 million and net equity
of $88.5 million.

Marquette, the only bank still headquartered in Erie, opened its first office in Meadville in 1963 and a drive-thru office in 2007.
Prior to the acquisition, Marquette operated seven offices in Erie County and two offices in Crawford County. This acquisition brings to 12 the total number of Marquette offices in Erie and Crawford Counties. The purchased branch offices are located at 349 North Street, Meadville; 210 Water Street, Conneaut Lake; and 16086 Conneaut Lake Road, Vernon Township.