[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 105 (Thursday, July 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN HONOR OF STRONGSVILLE SAVINGS BANK

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Strongsville Savings 
Bank for their 38 years of service to Northeastern Ohio.
  Strongsville Savings Bank was established by a group of local 
community businesses in May of 1960. In April 1961 it initiated its 
service to the Strongsville community, as an Ohio chartered, federally 
insured savings association. Since then, Strongsville Savings Bank has 
grown and expanded to 16 offices in Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Medina 
counties.
  Nevertheless, the Bank has remained community-oriented, with an 
emphasis on customer service. Its services include consumer and 
commercial checking accounts savings accounts, certificates of deposit, 
residential and commercial real estate loans, home equity line of 
credit, use of proprietary ATMs, electronic fund transfer services, 
access to a network of ATM and many other services. The Strongsville 
Savings Bank is very active in its support of developers and builders 
of residential housing in their market area by providing a wide array 
of loans and retail financial services.
  Recently, in 1996, Emerald Financial Corporation became the Bank's 
parent company and unitary thrift holding company. Mike Kalinich, one 
of the Bank's original shareholders, is chairman of both Emerald 
Financial Corp. and Strongsville Savings Bank. Of the original 128 
shareholders, 38 years ago, 21 continue to be owners of Emerald 
Financial Corp. stock, and many others are the children and 
grandchildren of the original shareholders.
  Historically, Strongsville has had such success, with strong 
community involvement and investment in local interests. I would like 
to congratulate Strongsville Savings Bank for their 38 years of success 
and service, as well as wish them continued success in the years to 
come.

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