Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FirstMerit Corporation

Analysts: Thomas O’Malley/Investor Relations Officer

Phone: 330.384.7109    

Media Contact: Robert Townsend/Media Relations Officer

Phone: 330.384.7075

FirstMerit Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS of $0.28Per Share

Quarterly Highlights include:

• 51st consecutive quarter of profitability

• Solid linked-quarter credit trends supported by a $9.3 million, or 10.27%, decline in non-performing assets and a $0.8 million, or 5.76%, decline in net charge-offs to 0.73% of average loans

• Average commercial loan growth of $173.4 million, or 3.56%, from prior quarter

• Average core deposit growth of $226.1 million, or 2.42%, from prior quarter

• Strong tangible common equity ratio at 7.86%

Akron, Ohio (January 24, 2012) - FirstMerit Corporation (Nasdaq: FMER) reported fourth quarter 2011 net income of $30.5 million, or $0.28 per diluted share. This compares with $31.7 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the third quarter 2011 and $27.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter 2010. For the full year 2011, the Corporation reported net income of $119.6 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared with $102.9 million, or $1.02 per diluted share in 2010.

Returns on average common equity (“ROE”) and average assets (“ROA”) for the fourth quarter 2011 were 7.70% and 0.83%, respectively, compared with 8.02% and 0.86%, respectively, for the third quarter 2011 and 7.04% and 0.74% for the fourth quarter 2010.

“Our strong performance in the fourth quarter capped a year of solid and profitable results in an environment that continues to challenge the financial industry and its customers,” said Paul G. Greig, chairman, president and CEO of FirstMerit Corporation. “Among our accomplishments were continued improvements of our already strong credit quality. We also maintained a strong balance sheet with ample liquidity to support consumer and commercial loan growth in both our legacy markets and Chicago. We are also moving forward on our expense management and revenue generation initiative; we are in the process of evaluating nearly 4,000 ideas submitted by employees at all levels of the Corporation and look to begin implementation on the best of these ideas in the spring of 2012.”

FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

Mr. Greig said, “Because we have not wavered from the fundamentals of sound banking practices, we remain one of the strongest banks in the industry, providing outstanding products and service to our customers and positive returns to our shareholders.”

Net interest margin was 3.85% for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with 3.75% for the third quarter of 2011 and 4.14% for the fourth quarter of 2010. Lower deposit costs in the fourth quarter resulting from the Corporation's continued success growing core deposits drove net interest margin expansion from the prior quarter. The increase in core deposits was a significant factor in reducing average deposit costs every quarter in 2011. The decline in net interest margin compared with the fourth quarter of 2010 is attributed to lower earning asset yields in a persistently low interest rate environment.

Average loans, not including covered loans, during the fourth quarter of 2011increased$190.6 million, or 2.55%, compared with the third quarter of 2011 and also increased$530.6 million, or 7.43%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2010. Average commercial loans increased $173.4 million, or 3.56%, compared with the prior quarter, and increased $603.8 million, or 13.58%, compared with the year ago quarter. Commercial loans remain the primary driver in average loan portfolio growth, however, average consumer loans increased moderately for the second consecutive quarter.

Average deposits were $11.4 billion during the fourth quarter of 2011, decreasing $31.1 million, or 0.27%, compared with the third quarter of 2011, and increasing $28.1 million, or 0.25%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2010. During the fourth quarter 2011, average core deposits, which exclude time deposits, increased$226.1 million, or 2.42%, compared with the third quarter 2011 and $1.2 billion, or 14.18%, compared with the fourth quarter 2010. The Corporation has successfully executed a strategy to increase the concentration of lower cost deposits within the overall deposit mix by focusing on growth in checking, money market and savings account products with less emphasis on renewing maturing certificate of deposit accounts. In addition to efficiently funding balance sheet growth, the increased concentration in core deposit accounts generally deepens and extends the length of customer relationships. Average time deposits decreased $257.2 million, or 12.25%, and decreased $1.2 billion, or 38.65%, respectively, over prior and year-ago quarters.

Average investments decreased$195.6 million, or 5.32%, compared with the third quarter of 2011 and increased$242.5 million, or 7.49% compared with the fourth quarter of 2010. As part of the Corporation's previously announced strategy to reposition the investment portfolio and extend its current duration, approximately $395.3 million of securities were sold during the fourth quarter of 2011 of which $83.5 million was used to terminate higher cost funding in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances and repurchase agreements as part of a deleveraging of the portfolio. Additionally, the Corporation redeemed $20.3 million in FHLB Chicago stock.

Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) basis was $123.6 million in the fourth quarter 2011 compared with $121.8 million in the third quarter of 2011 and $130.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Noninterest income excluding securities transactions for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $53.9 million, a decrease of $2.4 million, or 4.30%, from the third quarter of 2011 and a decrease of $0.2 million, or 0.40%, from the fourth quarter of 2010. Other operating income in the fourth quarter of 2011 decreased $1.6 million, or 17.11%, compared with the prior quarter which included $2.7 million from gains on covered loans paid in full and $2.1 million from an increase in the fair value of interest rate lock commitments resulting from an increase in the mortgage pipeline partially offset by $2.7 million of insurance reimbursement of legal costs incurred and previously expensed.

Other income, net of $5.8 million in securities gains, as a percentage of net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 was 30.38% compared with 31.64% for third quarter of 2011 and 29.37% for the fourth quarter of 2010. Net revenue is defined as net interest income, on an FTE basis, plus other income, less

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FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

gains from securities sales.

Noninterest expense for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $123.9 million, an increase of $7.9 million, or 6.83%, from the third quarter of 2011 and an increase of $1.4 million, or 1.16%, from the fourth quarter of 2010. Included in other operating expense in the fourth quarter of 2011 is $4.9 million of fees related to the early termination of repurchase agreements and FHLB advances as part of the Corporation's investment portfolio repositioning strategy and $1.3 million of expense related to an increase in the liability associated with the sale of our Visa® Class B shares in 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Corporation reported an efficiency ratio of 69.46%, compared with 64.78% for the third quarter of 2011 and 65.86% for the fourth quarter of 2010.

Net charge-offs, excluding acquired loans, totaled $13.8 million, or 0.73% of average loans, excluding acquired loans, in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with $14.6 million, or 0.79% of average loans, in the third quarter 2011 and $21.7 million, or 1.25% of average loans, in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Nonperforming assets totaled $81.1 million at December 31, 2011, a decrease of $9.3 million, or 10.27%, compared with September 30, 2011 and a decrease of $42.4 million, or 34.34%, compared with December 31, 2010. Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2011 represented 1.06% of period-end loans plus other real estate compared with 1.21% at September 30, 2011 and 1.78% at December 31, 2010.

The allowance for noncovered loan losses totaled $107.7 million at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, the allowance for noncovered loan losses was 1.41% of period-end loans compared with 1.46% at September 30, 2011 and 1.65% at December 31, 2010. The allowance for credit losses is the sum of the allowance for noncovered loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments. For comparative purposes the allowance for credit losses was 1.49% of period end loans, excluding acquired loans, at December 31, 2011, compared with 1.55% at September 30, 2011 and 1.78% at December 31, 2010. The allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans was 176.50% at December 31, 2011, compared with 169.42% at September 30, 2011 and 118.01% at December 31, 2010.

The Corporation’s total assets at December 31, 2011 were $14.4 billion, a decrease of $246.6 million, or 1.68%, compared with September 30, 2011 and an increase of $304.8 million, or 2.16%, compared with December 31, 2010.

Total deposits were $11.4 billion at December 31, 2011, an increase of $35.5 million, or 0.31%, from September 30, 2011 and an increase of $163.6 million, or 1.45%, from December 31, 2010. Core deposits totaled $9.7 billion at December 31, 2011, an increase of $235.9 million, or 2.50% from September 30, 2011 and an increase of $1.2 billion, or 14.38%, from December 31, 2010.

Shareholders’ equity was $1.6 billion at December 31, 2011, compared with $1.6 billion at September 30, 2011, and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2010. The Corporation maintained a strong capital position as tangible common equity to assets was 7.86% at December 31, 2011, compared with 7.75% at September 30, 2011 and 7.59% at December 31, 2010. The common cash dividend per share paid in the fourth quarter 2011 was $0.16.

Fourth Quarter 2011 Conference Call

FirstMerit (Nasdaq: FMER) senior management will host an earnings conference call today at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to provide an overview of fourth quarter results and highlights. To participate in the conference call, please dial (888) 693-3477 ten minutes before start time and provide the reservation number: 41325090. A replay of the conference call will be available at approximately 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 24, 2012 through February 7, 2012 by dialing (855) 859-2056, and entering the PIN: 41325090. The Corporation will provide a slide presentation, which management will speak to during the

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FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

conference call. A copy of the presentation will be available at https://www.firstmerit.com/personal/investors.aspx; click on the Presentations link to access the slide presentation.

About FirstMerit Corporation

FirstMerit Corporation is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of $14.4 billion as of December 31, 2011 and 206 banking offices and 214 ATMs in Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Chicago areas. FirstMerit provides a complete range of banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses through its core operations. Principal wholly-owned subsidiaries include: FirstMerit Bank, N.A., FirstMerit Mortgage Corporation, FirstMerit Title Agency, Ltd., and FirstMerit Community Development Corporation.

Subsequent Events

The Corporation is required under generally accepted accounting principles to evaluate subsequent events through the filing of the its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 on Form 10-K. As a result, the Corporation will continue to evaluate the impact of any subsequent events on critical accounting assumptions and estimates made as of December 31, 2011 and will adjust amounts preliminarily reported, if necessary.

Forward-Looking Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors affecting the banking industry, and specifically the financial condition and results of operations, including without limitation, statements relating to the earnings outlook of the Corporation, as well as its operations, markets and products. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated. Among the important factors that could cause results to differ materially are interest rate changes, continued softening in the economy, which could materially impact credit quality trends and the ability to generate loans, changes in the mix of the Corporation’s business, competitive pressures, changes in accounting, tax or regulatory practices or requirements and those risk factors detailed in the Corporation’s periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements or reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

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FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Financial Highlights
							Quarters
(Unaudited)	2011			2011			2011			2011			2010
(Dollars in thousands)	4th Qtr			3rd Qtr			2nd Qtr			1st Qtr			4th Qtr
EARNINGS
Net interest income FTE (a)	$	123,598		$	121,788		$	119,735		$	124,191		$	130,227
Provision for noncovered loan losses	12,275			14,604			10,138			17,018			19,816
Provision for covered loan losses	2,773			4,768			7,481			5,331			3,572
Other income	59,737			60,772			51,491			52,756			54,311
Other expenses	123,874			115,957			110,068			114,445			122,452
FTE adjustment (a)	2,632			2,396			2,292			2,367			2,363
Net income	30,496			31,737			29,763			27,560			27,030
Diluted EPS	0.28			0.29			0.27			0.25			0.25
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Return on average assets (ROA)	0.83		%	0.86		%	0.82		%	0.78		%	0.74		%
Return on average common equity (ROE)	7.70		%	8.02		%	7.78		%	7.37		%	7.04		%
Net interest margin FTE (a)	3.85		%	3.75		%	3.77		%	4.01		%	4.14		%
Efficiency ratio	69.46		%	64.78		%	64.30		%	64.37		%	65.86		%
Number of full-time equivalent employees	3,018			3,016			3,028			3,056			3,058
MARKET DATA
Book value/common share	$	14.33		$	14.38		$	14.19		$	13.98		$	13.86
Period-end common share mkt value	15.13			11.36			16.51			17.07			19.79
Market as a % of book	106		%	79		%	116		%	122		%	143		%
Cash dividends/common share	$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.16
Common stock dividend payout ratio	57.14		%	55.17		%	59.26		%	64.00		%	64.41		%
Average basic common shares	109,249			109,245			109,138			108,769			108,807
Average diluted common shares	109,249			109,246			109,139			108,770			108,808
Period end common shares	109,251			109,247			109,241			108,734			108,817
Common shares repurchased	7			10			45			91			9
Common stock market capitalization	$	1,652,968		$	1,241,046		$	1,803,569		$	1,856,089		$	2,153,479
ASSET QUALITY (excluding acquired loans)
Gross charge-offs	$	18,984		$	20,014		$	20,958		$	22,812		$	27,553
Net charge-offs	13,763			14,604			15,641			17,018			21,654
Allowance for noncovered loan losses	107,699			109,187			109,187			114,690			114,690
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments	6,373			6,360			5,799			7,202			8,849
Nonperforming assets (NPAs) (b)	81,094			90,375			99,846			112,759			123,502
Net charge-offs/average loans ratio (b)	0.73		%	0.79		%	0.89		%	0.99		%	1.25		%
Allowance for noncovered loan losses/period-end loans (b)	1.41		%	1.46		%	1.51		%	1.64		%	1.65		%
Allowance for credit losses/period-end loans (b)	1.49		%	1.55		%	1.59		%	1.74		%	1.78		%
NPAs/loans and other real estate (b)	1.06		%	1.21		%	1.38		%	1.61		%	1.78		%
Allowance for noncovered loan losses/nonperforming loans	166.64		%	160.09		%	150.31		%	138.67		%	109.56		%
Allowance for credit losses/nonperforming loans	176.50		%	169.42		%	158.30		%	147.38		%	118.01		%
CAPITAL & LIQUIDITY
Period-end tangible common equity to assets	7.86		%	7.75		%	7.79		%	7.50		%	7.59		%
Average equity to assets	10.75		%	10.75		%	10.59		%	10.62		%	10.51		%
Average equity to total loans (c)	17.40		%	17.55		%	17.36		%	17.14		%	17.15		%
Average total loans to deposits (c)	79.12		%	78.18		%	77.05		%	78.14		%	78.00		%
AVERAGE BALANCES
Assets	$	14,623,441		$	14,610,628		$	14,481,208		$	14,270,871		$	14,493,060
Deposits	11,416,546			11,447,682			11,464,738			11,319,809			11,388,423
Loans, excluding acquired loans (c)	7,520,400			7,298,446			7,080,109			6,963,389			6,868,222
Acquired loans, including covered loans (c)	1,512,123			1,651,559			1,753,942			1,881,540			2,014,361
Earning assets	12,747,868			12,878,105			12,724,269			12,560,913			12,466,629
Shareholders' equity	1,572,061			1,570,411			1,533,855			1,516,227			1,523,078
ENDING BALANCES
Assets	$	14,441,702		$	14,688,278		$	14,347,557		$	14,466,509		$	14,134,714
Deposits	11,431,609			11,396,121			11,340,939			11,395,946			11,268,006
Loans, excluding acquired loans (c)	7,635,776			7,453,612			7,216,015			6,989,973			6,937,142
Acquired loans, including covered loans (c)	1,404,644			1,604,707			1,707,887			1,800,525			1,953,093
Goodwill	460,044			460,044			460,044			460,044			460,044
Intangible assets	8,239			8,782			9,325			9,868			10,411
Earning assets	13,011,267			12,769,183			12,926,211			12,659,414			12,427,936
Total shareholders' equity	1,565,953			1,570,654			1,550,387			1,519,957			1,507,715
NOTES:
(a) - Net interest income on a fully tax-equivalent ("FTE") basis restates interest on tax-exempt securities and loans as if such interest were subject to federal income tax at the statutory rate. Net interest income on an FTE basis is not an accounting principle generally accepted in the United States of America.
(b) - As required by current accounting guidance, the acquired loans and other real estate from First Bank, George Washington Savings Bank and Midwest Bank & Trust Company were recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowances. The ratio of our allowance for loan and credit losses and NPAs do not include these loans and other real estate.
(c) - Excludes loss share receivable of $205.7 million, $220.5 million, $239.4 million, $266.0 million, and $288.6 million as of December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011, March 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, respectively.

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FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)					December 31,
(Unaudited, except December 31, 2010, which is derived from the audited financial statements)					2011			2010
ASSETS
	Cash and due from banks			$	219,256		$	157,415
	Interest bearing-deposits in banks				158,063			365,698
		Total cash and cash equivalents			377,319			523,113
	Investment securities
		Held-to-maturity			82,764			59,962
		Available-for-sale			3,353,553			2,987,040
		Other investments			140,726			160,752
	Loans held for sale				30,077			41,340
	Noncovered loans:
		Commercial loans			5,107,747			4,527,497
		Mortgage loans			413,664			403,843
		Installment loans			1,263,665			1,308,860
		Home equity loans			743,982			749,378
		Credit card loans			146,356			149,506
		Leases			73,530			63,004
			Total noncovered loans		7,748,944			7,202,088
			Allowance for noncovered loan losses		(107,699	)		(114,690	)
			Net noncovered loans		7,641,245			7,087,398
	Covered loans (includes loss share receivable of $205.7 million and $288.6 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)				1,497,140			1,976,754
			Allowance for covered loan losses		(36,417	)		(13,733	)
			Net covered loans		1,460,723			1,963,021
			Net loans		9,101,968			9,050,419
	Premises and equipment, net				192,949			197,866
	Goodwill				460,044			460,044
	Intangible assets				8,239			10,411
	Other real estate covered by FDIC loss share				54,505			54,710
	Accrued interest receivable and other assets				639,558			589,057
			Total assets	$	14,441,702		$	14,134,714
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Deposits:
		Demand-non-interest bearing		$	3,030,225		$	2,790,550
		Demand-interest bearing			1,062,896			868,404
		Savings and money market accounts			5,595,409			4,811,784
		Certificates and other time deposits			1,743,079			2,797,268
			Total deposits		11,431,609			11,268,006
		Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase			866,265			777,585
		Wholesale borrowings			203,462			326,007
		Accrued taxes, expenses, and other liabilities			374,413			255,401
			Total liabilities		12,875,749			12,626,999
		Shareholders' equity:
			Preferred stock, without par value:
			authorized and unissued 7,000,000 shares		—			—
			Preferred stock, Series A, without par value:
			designated 800,000 shares; none outstanding		—			—
			Convertible preferred stock, Series B, without par value:
			designated 220,000 shares; none outstanding		—			—
			Common stock, without par value; authorized 300,000,000 shares; issued: 2011 and 2010 - 115,121,731 shares		127,937			127,937
			Capital surplus		479,882			485,567
			Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(23,887	)		(26,103	)
			Retained earnings		1,131,203			1,080,900
			Treasury stock, at cost: 2011 - 5,870,923 shares; 2010 - 6,305,218 shares		(149,182	)		(160,586	)
			Total shareholders' equity		1,565,953			1,507,715
			Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	14,441,702		$	14,134,714

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FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
		Quarterly Periods
(Unaudited)		December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2011			2011			2011			2011			2010
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	621,899		$	517,150		$	588,487		$	520,602		$	809,828
Investment securities
Held-to-maturity		89,166			85,664			79,012			64,212			64,287
Available-for-sale		3,231,195			3,429,631			3,382,943			3,194,751			3,012,983
Other investments		160,147			160,799			160,811			160,752			160,756
Loans held for sale		24,215			24,524			18,512			22,574			39,174
Noncovered loans:
Commercial loans		5,049,479			4,876,034			4,665,550			4,553,777			4,445,691
Mortgage loans		405,329			399,228			398,702			403,758			403,334
Installment loans		1,267,952			1,264,868			1,270,589			1,294,156			1,331,130
Home equity loans		744,326			741,497			736,117			741,596			754,270
Credit card loans		145,560			144,796			143,528			146,526			146,744
Leases		61,267			56,909			58,607			61,768			62,115
Total noncovered loans		7,673,913			7,483,332			7,273,093			7,201,581			7,143,284
Covered loans and loss share receivable		1,569,232			1,694,155			1,809,898			1,917,043			2,046,145
Total loans		9,243,145			9,177,487			9,082,991			9,118,624			9,189,429
Less: allowance for loan losses		141,360			138,441			143,721			134,064			119,924
Net loans		9,101,785			9,039,046			8,939,270			8,984,560			9,069,505
Total earning assets		12,747,868			12,878,105			12,724,269			12,560,913			12,466,629
Premises and equipment, net		193,219			192,218			192,584			195,296			195,915
Accrued interest receivable and other assets		1,201,815			1,161,596			1,119,589			1,128,124			1,140,612
TOTAL ASSETS	$	14,623,441		$	14,610,628		$	14,481,208		$	14,270,871		$	14,493,060
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Demand-non-interest bearing	$	3,013,543		$	2,988,521		$	2,998,090		$	2,874,884		$	2,816,850
Demand-interest bearing		991,456			913,252			824,125			841,545			857,960
Savings and money market accounts		5,569,213			5,446,351			5,279,353			4,978,773			4,710,682
Certificates and other time deposits		1,842,334			2,099,558			2,363,170			2,624,607			3,002,931
Total deposits		11,416,546			11,447,682			11,464,738			11,319,809			11,388,423
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase		999,639			969,020			884,244			848,169			904,163
Wholesale borrowings		225,116			320,691			325,057			325,296			368,397
Total funds		12,641,301			12,737,393			12,674,039			12,493,274			12,660,983
Accrued taxes, expenses and other liabilities		410,079			302,824			273,314			261,370			308,999
Total liabilities		13,051,380			13,040,217			12,947,353			12,754,644			12,969,982
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock		127,937			127,937			127,937			127,937			127,937
Capital surplus		479,257			477,864			479,078			486,907			485,126
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(15,198	)		(2,211	)		(16,402	)		(26,703	)		(9,867	)
Retained earnings		1,129,392			1,116,207			1,095,270			1,089,554			1,080,809
Treasury stock		(149,327	)		(149,386	)		(152,028	)		(161,468	)		(160,927	)
Total shareholders' equity		1,572,061			1,570,411			1,533,855			1,516,227			1,523,078
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	14,623,441		$	14,610,628		$	14,481,208		$	14,270,871		$	14,493,060

7

FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBIDARIES
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Fully Tax-equivalent Interest Rates and Interest Differential
		Three months ended						Three months ended
		December 31, 2011						December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)		Average			Average			Average			Average
(Dollars in thousands)		Balance		Interest	Rate			Balance		Interest	Rate
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	621,899					$	809,828
Investment securities and federal funds sold:
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government
agency obligations (taxable)		2,761,042		19,028	2.73	%		2,579,880		19,337	2.97	%
Obligations of states and political
subdivisions (tax exempt)		403,405		5,568	5.48	%		352,330		5,329	6.00	%
Other securities and federal funds sold		316,061		2,406	3.02	%		305,816		2,158	2.80	%
Total investment securities and federal
funds sold		3,480,508		27,002	3.08	%		3,238,026		26,824	3.29	%
Loans held for sale		24,215		266	4.36	%		39,174		470	4.76	%
Noncovered loans, covered loans and loss share
receivable		9,243,145		107,612	4.62	%		9,189,429		121,434	5.24	%
Total earning assets		12,747,868		134,880	4.20	%		12,466,629		148,728	4.73	%
Allowance for loan losses		(141,360	)					(119,924	)
Other assets		1,395,034						1,335,616
Total assets	$	14,623,441					$	14,492,149
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Demand - non-interest bearing	$	3,013,543		—	—		$	2,816,850		—	—
Demand - interest bearing		991,456		237	0.09	%		857,960		198	0.09	%
Savings and money market accounts		5,569,213		5,999	0.43	%		4,710,682		8,145	0.69	%
Certificates and other time deposits		1,842,334		3,201	0.69	%		3,002,931		7,209	0.95	%
Total deposits		11,416,546		9,437	0.33	%		11,388,423		15,552	0.54	%
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		999,639		512	0.20	%		904,163		960	0.42	%
Wholesale borrowings		225,116		1,334	2.35	%		368,397		1,989	2.14	%
Total interest bearing liabilities		9,627,758		11,283	0.46	%		9,844,133		18,501	0.75	%
Other liabilities		410,079						308,088
Shareholders' equity		1,572,061						1,523,078
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	14,623,441					$	14,492,149
Net yield on earning assets	$	12,747,868		123,597	3.85	%	$	12,466,629		130,227	4.14	%
Interest rate spread					3.73	%					3.99	%
Note: Interest income on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent basis.
Nonaccrual loans have been included in the average balances.

8

FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRST MERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDARIES
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Fully Tax-equivalent Interest Rates and Interest Differential
		Twelve months ended						Twelve months ended
		December 31, 2011						December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)		Average			Average			Average			Average
(Dollars in thousands)		Balance		Interest	Rate			Balance		Interest	Rate
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	562,133					$	728,723
Investment securities and federal funds sold:
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government
agency obligations (taxable)		2,869,664		78,202	2.73	%		2,554,538		87,019	3.41	%
Obligations of states and political
subdivisions (tax exempt)		378,834		21,277	5.62	%		348,832		21,454	6.15	%
Other securities and federal funds sold		301,786		8,842	2.93	%		300,700		8,508	2.83	%
Total investment securities and federal
funds sold		3,550,284		108,321	3.05	%		3,204,070		116,981	3.65	%
Loans held for sale		22,467		1,045	4.65	%		23,612		1,162	4.92	%
Noncovered loans, covered loans and loss share
receivable		9,155,973		438,579	4.79	%		8,529,303		433,308	5.08	%
Total earning assets		12,728,724		547,945	4.30	%		11,756,985		551,451	4.69	%
Allowance for loan losses		(139,414	)					(116,118	)
Other assets		1,343,887						1,154,761
Total assets	$	14,495,330					$	13,524,351
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Demand - non-interest bearing	$	2,969,137		—	—		$	2,550,849		—	—
Demand - interest bearing		893,062		816	0.09	%		794,497		751	0.09	%
Savings and money market accounts		5,320,392		28,171	0.53	%		4,303,815		31,912	0.74	%
Certificates and other time deposits		2,229,910		20,003	0.90	%		2,801,270		32,713	1.17	%
Total deposits		11,412,501		48,990	0.43	%		10,450,431		65,376	0.63	%
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		925,803		3,344	0.36	%		907,015		4,477	0.49	%
Wholesale borrowings		298,835		6,295	2.11	%		510,799		13,998	2.74	%
Total interest bearing liabilities		9,668,002		58,629	0.61	%		9,317,396		83,851	0.90	%
Other liabilities		309,838						340,485
Shareholders' equity		1,548,353						1,315,621
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	14,495,330					$	13,524,351
Net yield on earning assets	$	12,728,724		489,316	3.84	%	$	11,756,985		467,600	3.98	%
Interest rate spread					3.70	%					3.79	%
Note: Interest income on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent basis.
Nonaccrual loans have been included in the average balances.

9

FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)					Quarters ended						Twelve months ended
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)					December 31,						December 31,
					2011			2010			2011			2010
Interest income:
	Loans and loans held for sale			$	107,516		$	121,651		$	438,393		$	433,763
	Investment securities
		Taxable			21,434			21,495			87,044			95,527
		Tax-exempt			3,298			3,219			12,819			13,080
		Total investment securities interest			24,732			24,714			99,863			108,607
			Total interest income		132,248			146,365			538,256			542,370
Interest expense:
	Deposits:
		Demand-interest bearing			237			198			816			751
		Savings and money market accounts			5,998			8,145			28,171			31,912
		Certificates and other time deposits			3,201			7,209			20,003			32,713
	Securities sold under agreements to repurchase				512			960			3,344			4,477
	Wholesale borrowings				1,334			1,989			6,295			13,998
		Total interest expense			11,282			18,501			58,629			83,851
		Net interest income			120,966			127,864			479,627			458,519
Provision for noncovered loan losses					12,275			19,816			54,035			83,783
Provision for covered loan losses					2,773			3,572			20,353			4,432
		Net interest income after provision for loan losses			105,918			104,476			405,239			370,304
Other income:
	Trust department income				5,413			5,627			22,396			21,951
	Service charges on deposits				15,622			15,938			64,082			65,900
	Credit card fees				10,182			12,678			49,539			49,010
	ATM and other service fees				3,920			2,910			13,701			11,259
	Bank owned life insurance income				3,381			3,192			14,820			14,949
	Investment services and insurance				1,844			2,300			8,228			9,451
	Investment securities gains, net				5,790			146			11,081			855
	Loan sales and servicing income				5,875			9,221			14,533			19,440
	Gain on George Washington acquisition				—			—			—			1,041
	Other operating income				7,710			2,299			26,377			18,700
		Total other income			59,737			54,311			224,757			212,556
Other expenses:
	Salaries, wages, pension and employee benefits				62,546			62,331			240,362			221,316
	Net occupancy expense				7,270			9,236			32,414			32,665
	Equipment expense				7,234			7,549			27,959			27,664
	Stationery, supplies and postage				2,719			3,183			10,691			11,438
	Bankcard, loan processing and other costs				7,948			7,810			32,226			31,572
	Professional services				5,763			7,731			23,229			29,357
	Amortization of intangibles				543			1,006			2,172			2,914
	FDIC insurance expense				5,119			4,342			17,306			17,790
	Other operating expense				24,732			19,264			77,986			68,144
		Total other expenses			123,874			122,452			464,345			442,860
			Income before income tax expense		41,781			36,335			165,651			140,000
Income tax expense					11,285			9,305			46,093			37,091
			Net income	$	30,496		$	27,030		$	119,558		$	102,909
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes
	Changes in unrealized securities' holding gains and losses			$	1,317		$	(21,560	)	$	26,205		$	(555	)
	Reclassification for realized securities' gains				(3,764	)		(95	)		(7,203	)		(556	)
	Change in minimum pension liability				(16,786	)		467			(16,786	)		467
	Total other comprehensive gain (loss), net of taxes				(19,233	)		(21,188	)		2,216			(644	)
		Comprehensive income		$	11,263		$	5,842		$	121,774		$	102,265
	Net income applicable to common shares			$	30,496		$	27,030		$	119,558		$	102,909
	Net income used in diluted EPS calculation			$	30,496		$	27,030		$	119,558		$	102,909
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic					109,249			108,807			109,102			101,163
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted					109,249			108,808			109,102			101,165
Basic earnings per common share				$	0.28		$	0.25		$	1.10		$	1.02
Diluted earnings per common share				$	0.28		$	0.25		$	1.10		$	1.02
Dividend per common share				$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.64		$	0.64

10

FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME---LINKED QUARTERS
		Quarterly Results
(Unaudited)		2011			2011		2011		2011		2010
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)		4th Qtr			3rd Qtr		2nd Qtr		1st Qtr		4th Qtr
Loans and loans held for sale	$	107,516		$	108,417	$	107,904	$	114,555	$	121,651
Investment securities		24,732			25,138		25,313		24,680		24,714
Total interest income		132,248			133,555		133,217		139,235		146,365
Interest on deposits:
Demand-interest bearing		237			218		177		184		198
Savings and money market accounts		5,998			6,929		7,398		7,845		8,145
Certificates and other time deposits		3,201			4,370		5,606		6,827		7,209
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		512			977		940		915		960
Wholesale borrowings		1,334			1,669		1,653		1,640		1,989
Total interest expense		11,282			14,163		15,774		17,411		18,501
Net interest income		120,966			119,392		117,443		121,824		127,864
Provision for noncovered loan losses		12,275			14,604		10,138		17,018		19,816
Provision for covered loan losses		2,773			4,768		7,481		5,331		3,572
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		105,918			100,020		99,824		99,475		104,476
Other income:
Trust department income		5,413			5,607		5,863		5,514		5,627
Service charges on deposits		15,622			17,838		15,712		14,910		15,938
Credit card fees		10,182			13,640		13,510		12,207		12,678
ATM and other service fees		3,920			3,801		3,063		2,917		2,910
Bank owned life insurance income		3,381			3,182		3,015		5,241		3,192
Investment services and insurance		1,844			1,965		1,972		2,447		2,300
Investment securities gains, net		5,790			4,402		889		—		146
Loan sales and servicing income		5,875			1,036		2,609		5,012		9,221
Other operating income		7,710			9,301		4,858		4,508		2,299
Total other income		59,737			60,772		51,491		52,756		54,311
Other expenses:
Salaries, wages, pension and employee benefits		62,546			61,232		56,713		59,871		62,331
Net occupancy expense		7,270			8,464		8,086		8,594		9,236
Equipment expense		7,234			7,073		6,816		6,836		7,549
Stationery, supplies and postage		2,719			2,517		2,750		2,705		3,183
Bankcard, loan processing and other costs		7,948			8,449		8,266		7,562		7,810
Professional services		5,763			5,732		5,940		5,793		7,731
Amortization of intangibles		543			543		543		543		1,006
FDIC insurance expense		5,119			3,240		4,581		4,366		4,342
Other operating expense		24,732			18,707		16,373		18,175		19,264
Total other expenses		123,874			115,957		110,068		114,445		122,452
Income before income tax expense		41,781			44,835		41,247		37,786		36,335
Income taxes		11,285			13,098		11,484		10,226		9,305
Net income	$	30,496		$	31,737	$	29,763	$	27,560	$	27,030
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes		(19,233	)		4,491		16,620		338		(21,188	)
Comprehensive income	$	11,263		$	36,228	$	46,383	$	27,898	$	5,842
Net income applicable to common shares	$	30,496		$	31,737	$	29,763	$	27,560	$	27,030
Net income used in diluted EPS calculation	$	30,496		$	31,737	$	29,763	$	27,560	$	27,030
Weighted-average common shares - basic		109,249			109,245		109,138		108,769		108,807
Weighted-average common shares - diluted		109,249			109,246		109,139		108,770		108,808
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.28		$	0.29	$	0.27	$	0.25	$	0.25
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.28		$	0.29	$	0.27	$	0.25	$	0.25

11

FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ASSET QUALITY INFORMATION (excluding Acquired Assets)
(Unaudited, except December 31, 2010 annual period
which is derived from the audited financial statements)
(Dollars in thousands, except ratios)		Quarterly Periods															Annual Period
		December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			December 31,
Allowance for Credit Losses		2011			2011			2011			2011			2010			2010
Allowance for noncovered loan losses, beginning of period	$	109,187		$	109,187		$	114,690		$	114,690		$	116,528		$	115,092
Provision for noncovered loan losses		12,275			14,604			10,138			17,018			19,816			83,783
Charge-offs		18,984			20,014			20,958			22,812			27,553			104,532
Recoveries		5,221			5,410			5,317			5,794			5,899			20,347
Net charge-offs		13,763			14,604			15,641			17,018			21,654			84,185
Allowance for noncovered loan losses, end of period	$	107,699		$	109,187		$	109,187		$	114,690		$	114,690		$	114,690
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments,
beginning of period	$	6,360		$	5,799		$	7,202		$	8,849		$	7,864		$	5,751
Provision for/(relief of) credit losses		13			561			(1,403	)		(1,647	)		985			3,098
Reserve for unfunded lending commitments,
end of period	$	6,373		$	6,360		$	5,799		$	7,202		$	8,849		$	8,849
Allowance for Credit Losses	$	114,072		$	115,547		$	114,986		$	121,892		$	123,539		$	123,539
Ratios (a)
Provision for loan losses as a % of average loans		0.65	%		0.79	%		0.57	%		0.99	%		1.14	%		1.23	%
Provision for credit losses as a % of average loans		0.00	%		0.03	%		(0.08	)%		(0.10	)%		0.06	%		0.05	%
Net charge-offs as a % of average loans		0.73	%		0.79	%		0.89	%		0.99	%		1.25	%		1.23	%
Allowance for loan losses as a % of period-end loans		1.41	%		1.46	%		1.51	%		1.64	%		1.65	%		1.65	%
Allowance for credit losses as a % of period-end loans		1.49	%		1.55	%		1.59	%		1.74	%		1.78	%		1.78	%
Allowance for loan losses as a % of nonperforming loans		166.64	%		160.09	%		150.31	%		138.67	%		109.56	%		109.56	%
Allowance for credit losses as a % of nonperforming loans		176.50	%		169.42	%		158.30	%		147.38	%		118.01	%		118.01	%
Asset Quality (a)
Impaired loans:
Nonaccrual	$	55,755		$	59,928		$	63,688		$	71,246		$	89,828		$	89,828
Other nonperforming loans:
Nonaccrual		8,876			8,275			8,951			11,460			14,859			14,859
Total nonperforming loans		64,631			68,203			72,639			82,706			104,687			104,687
Other real estate ("ORE")		16,463			22,172			27,207			30,053			18,815			18,815
Total nonperforming assets ("NPAs")	$	81,094		$	90,375		$	99,846		$	112,759		$	123,502		$	123,502
NPAs as % of period-end loans + ORE		1.06	%		1.21	%		1.38	%		1.61	%		1.78	%		1.78	%
Past due 90 days or more & accruing interest	$	8,866		$	6,268		$	10,424		$	5,652		$	22,017		$	22,017
(a) Excludes acquired loans and loss share receivable with a period end balance of $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion, $1.7 billion and $2.1 billion, and $2.3 billion and ORE covered by an FDIC loss share with a period end balance of $54.5 million, $61.9 million, $58.5 million, $58.7 million, $54.7 million at December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011, March 31, 2011, and December 2010, respectively, which, as required by current accounting guidance, were recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition.

12

FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NONINTEREST INCOME AND NONINTEREST EXPENSE DETAIL
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
		2011		2011		2011		2011		2010
QUARTERLY OTHER INCOME DETAIL		4th Qtr		3rd Qtr		2nd Qtr		1st Qtr		4th Qtr
Trust department income	$	5,413	$	5,607	$	5,863	$	5,514	$	5,627
Service charges on deposits		15,622		17,838		15,712		14,910		15,938
Credit card fees		10,182		13,640		13,510		12,207		12,678
ATM and other service fees		3,920		3,801		3,063		2,917		2,910
Bank owned life insurance income		3,381		3,182		3,015		5,241		3,192
Investment services and insurance		1,844		1,965		1,972		2,447		2,300
Investment securities gains, net		5,790		4,402		889		—		146
Loan sales and servicing income		5,875		1,036		2,609		5,012		9,221
Other operating income		7,710		9,301		4,858		4,508		2,299
Total Other Income	$	59,737	$	60,772	$	51,491	$	52,756	$	54,311
		2011		2011		2011		2011		2010
QUARTERLY OTHER EXPENSES DETAIL		4th Qtr		3rd Qtr		2nd Qtr		1st Qtr		4th Qtr
Salaries, wages, pension and employee benefits	$	62,546	$	61,232	$	56,713	$	59,871	$	62,331
Net occupancy expense		7,270		8,464		8,086		8,594		9,236
Equipment expense		7,234		7,073		6,816		6,836		7,549
Taxes, other than income taxes		1,389		1,507		922		1,960		2,021
Stationery, supplies and postage		2,719		2,517		2,750		2,705		3,183
Bankcard, loan processing and other costs		7,948		8,449		8,266		7,562		7,810
Advertising		2,275		2,391		2,287		2,384		3,094
Professional services		5,763		5,732		5,940		5,793		7,731
Telephone		1,525		1,570		1,462		1,486		1,579
Amortization of intangibles		543		543		543		543		1,006
FDIC insurance expense		5,119		3,240		4,581		4,366		4,342
Other operating expense		19,543		13,239		11,702		12,345		12,570
Total Other Expenses	$	123,874	$	115,957	$	110,068	$	114,445	$	122,452

13

FirstMerit Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2011 EPS Results

FIRSTMERIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES NONCOVERED - Net Charge-off Detail
(Unaudited)		Quarters ended						Year ended
(Dollars in thousands)		December 31,						December 31,
		2011			2010			2011			2010
Allowance for noncovered loan losses - beginning of period	$	109,187		$	116,528		$	114,690		$	115,092
Loans charged off:
Commercial		7,418			13,225			31,943			39,766
Mortgage		1,033			962			4,819			5,156
Installment		5,635			8,665			25,839			34,054
Home equity		2,491			1,158			8,691			7,912
Credit cards		1,711			2,497			7,846			13,577
Leases		—			204			778			896
Overdrafts		696			842			2,852			3,171
Total		18,984			27,553			82,768			104,532
Recoveries:
Commercial		850			647			2,703			1,952
Mortgage		29			62			221			263
Installment		2,890			4,003			13,639			13,047
Home equity		730			417			1,985			1,599
Credit cards		475			518			2,264			2,199
Manufactured housing		56			34			119			156
Leases		2			27			37			267
Overdrafts		189			191			774			864
Total		5,221			5,899			21,742			20,347
Net charge-offs		13,763			21,654			61,026			84,185
Provision for noncovered loan losses		12,275			19,816			54,035			83,783
Allowance for noncovered loan losses-end of period	$	107,699		$	114,690		$	107,699		$	114,690
Average loans (a)	$	7,520,400		$	6,868,222		$	7,217,349		$	6,818,962
Ratio to average loans (a):
(Annualized) net charge-offs		0.73	%		1.25	%		0.85	%		1.23	%
Provision for loan losses		0.65	%		1.14	%		0.75	%		1.23	%
Loans, period-end (a)	$	7,635,776		$	6,937,142			7,635,776		$	6,937,142
Allowance for credit losses (a):	$	114,072		$	123,539		$	114,072		$	123,539
As a multiple of (annualized) net charge-offs		2.09			1.44			1.87			1.47
Allowance for noncovered loan losses (a):
As a percent of period-end noncovered loans		1.41	%		1.65	%		1.41	%		1.65	%
As a multiple of (annualized) net noncovered charge-offs		1.97			1.34			1.76			1.36
(a) Excludes acquired loans and loss share receivable.

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