Exhibit 99(a)

NEWSRELEASE                                                           [LOGO]
                                                                HUNTINGTON BANKS



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
SUBMITTED:  SEPTEMBER 30, 1997              LAURIE COUNSEL    (614) 480-3878
                                            CHERI GRAY        (614) 480-3803


                  HUNTINGTON BANCSHARES COMPLETES ACQUISITION

                       OF FIRST MICHIGAN BANK CORPORATION

         COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Huntington Bancshares announced today the completion
of its acquisition of First Michigan Bank Corporation based in Holland,
Michigan. Terms of the agreement called for First Michigan shareholders to
receive 1.155 shares of Huntington Bancshares common stock for each share of
First Michigan. The value of the transaction is approximately $1.2 billion.

         "We are pleased to have First Michigan Bank Corporation join the
Huntington family," said Frank Wobst, chairman and chief executive officer of
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. "We hope First Michigan's customers and
shareholders are as excited as we about the opportunities that lie ahead.

         "The similar strategies of these two organizations make this a
valuable alliance in the Michigan market. Both have been focusing on enhancing
the sales culture, alternative delivery channels, and working diligently to
meet the ever-changing needs of the customer."

         With over 131 years of serving the financial needs of its customers,
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a regional bank holding company
headquartered in Columbus, Ohio with assets in excess of $25 billion. The
Huntington provides innovative products and services through its 527 offices in
Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The
Huntington also offers products and services through its
technologically-advanced, 24-hour telephone bank, a network of more than 1,000
ATMs and its Web Bank at www.huntington.com. Corporate communications and
financial information are also available at this web site address. Publicly
traded as NASDAQ:HBAN, the stock is included in the S&P 500 Index.

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