Though bank officials claim the Classic Bank-First Federal merger will be good for the customers, it did not sit well with some patrons and four employees who are without jobs.

In October of 2000, First Federal Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for First Federal Savings Bank purchased Lincoln Savings and Loan Association. Classic Bancshares, Inc., the holding company for Classic Bank, and First Federal announced its merger in January, and the deal was finalized Friday.

Though the Center Street branch will open as Classic Bank Monday, the First Federal Savings and Loan Bank at 420 Park Avenue, formerly Lincoln Savings & Loan, closed its doors Thursday evening, possibly for the last time. This left its four employees and several customers feeling as if the companies had not been totally truthful with them.

The former Lincoln employees, two of which had been with Lincoln for more than 15 years each, were informed at 4:30 p.m. Thursday that the Park Avenue branch would be closing for good and they would not be relocated to the Center Street office.

"We have decided to close (the Park Avenue branch) temporarily," said David Barbour, Classic Bank CEO and chairman. "We are still in the decision making process on how to deal with the facilities we will acquire in Ohio."

Although it may only be speculation at this point, Barbour said that the current facility will probably never be used again, but that the company will definitely build something at that location.

Vicki Jenkins of Franklin Furnace worked at the Park Avenue branch for seven years. She said they were still being encouraged to participate in training and retirement plans as recently as last week.

Jenkins and her co-workers knew something was up when they talked with construction workers a week ago who said they were examining the parking lot to prepare for a demolition.

Still, all their questions were avoided, she said.

"It could have been handled in a more professional, kinder, humane way," she said. "But, that does not seem to be in anyone's vocabulary these days."

Even though they are now unemployed, Jenkins said she and the other employees really feel the worst for the customers.

"We were always customer-oriented," she said. "We knew who they were when they walked in the doors. We had a lot of older customers that depended on us."

A letter dated June 10, was sent to all First Federal customers. In the section regarding the changes, remodeling was mentioned but it stated nothing about closing the Park Avenue branch.

This left some customers feeling as if they were lied to. More than $130,000 in accounts were closed on Thursday alone, one former employee said.

Shawn Spencer of Ironton banked at the Park Avenue branch for the past five years. That ended on Wednesday.

"According to my letter, they flat out lied," Spencer said. "I officially closed all my accounts, and I am not going back."

The situation was not handled professionally at all, she said.

"It is an abominable way to treat people, both the clients and the staff," she said. "Part of the reason I went there because of those girls. They treated their customers like people."

The employees were technically released by First Federal because the merger was not finalized until Friday evening, a day after the employees were let go.

Jeff Clark, former controller of First Federal and newly appointed President of Classic's Southeastern Ohio Market Area President, said the decision was only made recently and the employees were informed as soon as the decision was final.

"As far I know these are not positions we need now with that building not in operation," he said. "We hate to see anyone lose their jobs, abruptly or if we knew way in advance. They were given a nice severance package."

While the severance package was nice, 16-year employee and former Lincoln treasurer Angela Todd was also angry with how the situation was handled.

"We bent over backwards for them from the time Lincoln merged with First Federal," she said. "From the time they started, we knew something was up. They never considered us part of First Federal."

In December, all us were told that no one would lose their jobs, Todd said.

Six months later,

the four employees who have a combined 41 years of

service are left with an uncertain financial future and some dissatisfied customers are left without a bank to call their own.