The Ohio State University and Huntington Bank (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com)
today announced an exclusive 15-year partnership, making it the
university’s official consumer bank. The agreement is the most
comprehensive and innovative partnership of its kind in the country.
Ohio State will receive $25 million from Huntington, which the
university will use for academic scholarships and educational
programming. Huntington is also committing $100 million in dedicated
community lending and investments to support the economic development of
Columbus’ University District and Near East Side. The partnership
includes revenue sharing, which will mean additional funds for the
university to invest in the academic core as the relationship expands.
The agreement provides Huntington exclusive access to directly offer
tailored products and services to more than 600,000 students, faculty,
staff and alumni. At Huntington, 20 Ohio State paid student internships
are guaranteed for each year of the partnership. At Ohio State,
Huntington will add up to four branches on the main campus and
eventually operate 26 ATMs in the University District to give the Ohio
State community easy access and convenience. Currently, Huntington has
10 ATMs on campus.
More than $10 million of the funds will go into Ohio State’s endowment,
and will be earmarked for updating classroom space and technology.
Another portion of the funds will support financial literacy programs,
career initiatives that will take students into the community for
internships and service learning projects, and seed money for
student-developed initiatives to enhance student wellness. The new
funding also will be used to sustain and expand Alumni Association
programming, including alumni career services, enhanced regional
programming and events, and the development of volunteer opportunities
for alumni and supporters of Ohio State.
"This is an exciting, trailblazing new partnership between Ohio State
and Huntington Bank, a great Ohio company and a true champion of the
university,” said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. "Through this
collaboration, we are able to provide a better learning environment on
campus and strengthen our neighborhoods in critical ways. I am grateful
to Huntington for investing in the university’s core academic purposes –
to educate young people and to enrich the lives of 11 million Ohioans."
"We are delighted to partner with The Ohio State University, which for
decades has shared Huntington’s commitment to Columbus, Ohio and the
Midwest,” said Huntington Chairman, President and CEO Steve Steinour.
"Huntington believes strongly that partnerships like this can help
universities grow and prosper, while providing their employees, students
and alumni access to valuable financial services and benefits. We are
especially pleased to contribute to the vitality and economic growth of
the Near East Side and University District through our lending and
investment commitment.”
This agreement deepens Huntington’s commitment to the university,
including $3.5 million in charitable donations raised by Huntington
employees in support of the Pelotonia Bike Tour for the James Cancer
Center and Solove Research Institute.
"As our hometown bank, Huntington has been a vital partner and
contributor to the community,” said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman.
"This commitment reflects the continuation of that partnership. With
Huntington’s help, we look forward to a revitalized university
neighborhood that will benefit not only the Ohio State community, but
also the neighboring residents and businesses.”
Huntington has a long track record of public/private partnerships
including a $2 billion lending commitment to the state of Michigan for
lending to businesses and a $100 million commitment to affordable
housing in Ohio through a partnership with the Ohio Capital Corporation
for Housing.
"The University District is an important part of the fabric of
Columbus,” said Columbus City Council President Andrew J. Ginther. "With
Huntington’s help we look forward to a stronger and more vibrant
neighborhood that invites additional investment and attracts more
homeowners who want to live and work here.”
Plans call for Huntington to build a full-service, seven-day-a-week
branch in the new Ohio State University Medical Center and up to three
additional branches on the main campus. Huntington will have the option
to open branches on all satellite campuses and to install up to 16 new
ATMs.
Faculty and staff who choose to become Huntington customers will receive
the same checking account offering that Huntington employees receive,
specifically Huntington Plus TM including interest-bearing
checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fees. Students who choose
to sign up with Huntington will receive Asterisk Free Checking TM,
Huntington’s industry-leading free checking account with no minimum
balance requirement. Both checking accounts come with 24-Hour Grace ®
overdraft protection and free debit cards among other features. Other
products and services available to Ohio State faculty and staff include
mortgages with discounts on closing costs, as well as wealth management
services. Huntington is currently developing a program for alumni, which
is expected to be rolled out later this year.
For more information, go to www.huntington.com/osu
About Huntington
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $54 billion regional bank
holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National
Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business,
and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury
management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and
investment management services; trust services; brokerage services;
customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial
products and services. The principal markets for these services are
Huntington’s six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania,
Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels
include a banking network of over 650 traditional branches and
convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers,
and through an array of alternative distribution channels including
internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and over 1,300 ATMs.
Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking
franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states,
Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive
dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.
Member FDIC. The logo mark and Huntington ®
and 24-Hour Grace ® are federally registered
service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington
Welcome™, Asterisk-Free Checking™ and Huntington Plus Checking ™ are
service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.
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