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The article discusses the Cleveland, Ohio fight of the Society for Savings (SS) for its right to handle checking accounts. Among the commercial banks involved in the case at Ohio's legislature are Cleveland Trust and Union Bank of Commerce, who are vying for business with the giant SS. One of the two bills affecting the conflict forbids mutual savings societies such as SS to handle demand accounts while the other permits the saving institutions to handle all the same types of business as commercial banks. It is reported that SS will fight all the way.

The article focuses on the new accounts and loan products launched by more banks in Ohio and other states to lure customers who do not bank at all and generate fee revenue. The products include second-chance checking accounts, small loan alternatives to payday loans, and check-cashing services that compete more directly with nonbank lenders. The increase in the number of unbanked and underbanked households as well as the benefits and risks these clients bring to banks are also discussed.

The article reports that the development of fee-generating products by the banks in Northeast Ohio in 2006 helps the financial institutions offset the higher interest rates. Due to the introduction of a pair of new fee-based checking accounts, fee income at Akron's FirstMerit Corp. was up 2.5 percent during the first half of 2006. Moreover, the Performance Checking account developed by Huntington Bancshares Inc. provides free overdraft protection and foreign ATM usage.

Reports on MaPS Credit Union in Salem, Ohio's launch of a checking product designed to let members generate community interest which could be converted into a cash donation to non-profit organizations. Similarity of the program with a standard interest-bearing checking account; MaPS director of business development Leilani Slama's explanation on the purpose of the program; Features of the checking account.

The article reports on the high-yield checking account offered by the River Valley Credit Union (CU) for its members in Ohio.

The article reports on the significance of the high-rate checking account in signing up the Kemba Credit Union (CU) members in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The article reports on an increase in claims on unclaimed funds in Ohio in the fiscal year 2006. The commerce department paid out $64.4 million in unclaimed funds in 2006, which is a 19.5 percent increase as compared to fiscal year 2005. The average payment was $1,473 as compared to $157 in fiscal year 2005. Some of the unclaimed funds include forgotten bank checking and savings accounts, unclaimed rent and utility deposits and uncashed insurance policies.

Reports that Huntington National Bank of Columbus, Ohio has joined the crowd providing online bill payment for free. Extension of free bill payment to all customers with personal checking accounts; Impact of the service on customer loyalty.

Reports the advertising of Premier Checking, a checking account offered by Huntington bank in Columbus, Ohio. Account on the promotional success of the checking account; Reasons for devising the account; Features and benefits of the account; Information on the launching of direct mail and print campaigns.