FirstMerit announced the appointment of David J. Lochner as president, FirstMerit Michigan. Lochner will have responsibility for and oversight of FirstMerit’s commercial banking operations in the state of Michigan, pending the closing of FirstMerit’s announced acquisition of Citizens Republic Bancorp. He will report to David G. Goodall, executive vice president and chief commercial banking officer.

Prior to joining FirstMerit, Lochner served as director of commercial banking in Michigan for RBS Citizens, a member of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, and had overall responsibility for commercial, industrial and not-for-profit clients in the middle market segment. Previously, he was a senior vice president and commercial banking division head for LaSalle Bank Midwest.

“With a career of nearly 30 years in commercial banking in Michigan, David offers a strong local leadership perspective as we bring the FirstMerit name to Michigan,” said Goodall. “His leadership skills, knowledge of the Michigan market and familiarity with business owners across the state will give us a great advantage as we grow our commercial banking franchise.”