In August 1998, Signal Corp. entered into a merger agreement with FirstMerit Corporation, pursuant to which the company would merge with and into FirstMerit. Signal corp. provided Community Banking, and Specialty Finance, as of June 30, 1998. The company offered various deposit and loan products, and other services to individuals and businesses in Community Banking. It originated financing, and serviced the collection and recovery of loans; provided equipment leasing; provided investment advisory services, financial planning, and portfolio management; and provided common financing services and real estate appraisal services in Specialty Finance.