Customers can set Alerts to their personal needs, receiving notifications regarding their account status, activity, transactions, balance thresholds, payment due dates and much more. Retail and Business accounts and products that are eligible for Alerts include checking, savings, money market, HSAs, credit cards, lines of credit, installment loans and mortgage accounts. Users may also choose to be alerted whenever personal information has been changed or if various activities take place within online banking, such as email or password changes.

Business customers can receive Alerts via email and Retail customers may choose either email and/or text.

"FirstMerit is excited to give our customers greater control over their finances," says Julie C. Tutkovics, chief marketing officer at FirstMerit. "Customers can customize alerts to be sent at specific account levels, dates and other specific mileposts. This summer, we will be adding the ability to transfer funds between accounts via text message. For example, if you get an alert telling you that your checking account is down to a specific amount, you will be able to transfer funds from a savings or other deposit account to bring your account to the dollar amount you want."

Alerts are free of charge, although text message fees from a customer's phone provider may apply. Customers should check with their cell phone provider for details.

To sign up for Alerts, simply select the Alerts link in the Accounts tab within FirstMerit's Online Banking. Retail customers can be alerted via email or text and business customers can receive Alerts via email.