SLIPPERY ROCK — It's been just over a year since The First National Bank of Slippery Rock merged with First National Bank Corp. but the community focus of the bank hasn't changed.

According to Gary Roberts, president and CEO of FNB, and Bill Sonntag, manager of the Slippery Rock branches, keeping that focus was a priority during the merger.

That merger happened in October 2004 with FNB Corp. taking over Slippery Rock Financial Corp., owner of nine branches in Butler, Mercer and Lawrence counties and $335 million in assets.

Under that merger, First National Bank of Slippery Rock's Wealth Management Group, which provided fiduciary and estate administration, asset management, financial planning, brokerage and insurance services, moved into the Main Street branch. That location had some unused space, and the wealth management office was sold to Fran Ventura, who is seeking to lease it, according to Sonntag.

Another change was the closing and selling of the Slippery Rock bank's operations center in Slippery Rock Township. That center employed 45 people but all operations were moved to the main center in Hermitage.

Some Slippery Rock bank employees filled vacant slots there. One branch in Grove City was closed because FNB Corp. has two branches there.

The only other change in branches after the merger was the closing of the branch inside the Giant Eagle grocery store in Slippery Rock.

That caused more business than anticipated at the branch office on Grove City Road, also known as the Plaza Office.

We didn't count on the spillover from that many First National customers," Roberts said. "That was a major surprise."

There are no plans to close or consolidate other FNB branches, Roberts added.

FNB wanted to move into the Slippery Rock market because it wanted branches in the Butler, Mercer and Lawrence county region, according to Roberts.

"This market has always been attractive," said Roberts. "Slippery Rock was this gaping hole in our coverage area."

Because The First National Bank of Slippery Rock was the hometown bank, it had many requests for community funding and tried to accommodate as many as possible. That philosophy has carried over to FNB, even though the name has changed, according to Roberts and Sonntag."Of any other (bank) choices, FNB of PA came as close to being a big community bank as any others," Sonntag said.For example, Sonntag remains the chairman of Slippery Rock Development Inc., the group that is spearheading downtown revitalization work. His time is donated for work related to that project, which now involves a second phase along Franklin Street.The bank still donates money for a scholarship fund at Slippery Rock University, which will eventually contain $1 million. The fund is up to about $550,000 and it has provided about 10 students with scholarships worth a few thousand dollars each so far.The program, which was started in the 1999-2000 school year is designed to serve students from surrounding counties who want to attend SRU."That was so important to the university. How could we not keep it up?" Roberts said.As for other requests from the community, FNB has a budget for community events and initial decisions are made locally, said Sonntag. Regional presidents make the final decision on the requests.Slippery Rock is part of the bank's central region, which includes Mercer, Lawrence and Butler counties in Pennsylvania, and Trumbell and Mahoning counties in Ohio. A total of 30 to 35 branches are in this region, said Roberts.Overall, FNB branches are throughoutWesternPennsylvania from Erie to the border of West Virginia, Roberts said. Many branches are in eastern Ohio.Though the 145 branches are numerous enough to compete commercially with the bigger regional banks, FNB has always kept its community focus sacred, according to Roberts."What we believe distinguishes us from others is our local decision making and local community involvement," Roberts said. "It makes a difference. It's not all up to headquarters."Ken Harris, a Slippery Rock Rotary Club member, said the bank continues to support the club's golf scramble. That summer event is the club's main fundraiser."The bank has been very good to the Rotary," he said.As a member of Slippery Rock Development Inc., Harris said the bank still supports that group, primarily with office space and with the help from Sonntag.Mary Messer, the Slippery Rock Community Park director, said the change in bank ownership has not altered its relationship with the park.The park just received $500 from the bank to help pay for part of a new multi-purpose field there."We absolutely, 100 percent, appreciate their help," she said.

As the bank celebrated the holidays this year, it has given a gift to the Slippery Rock Heritage Society.FNB donated the logo of the formerFirst National Bank of Slippery Rock to the society. It is "the little man slipping on a rock," according to Sonntag.John Conway, a retired bank shareholder, helped to develop the logo several years ago. In an informal ceremony this week, Sonntag handed the logo over to Harris, who is president of the society.The society will try to make a letterhead and other items using the logo, according to Harris.