First Charter Corp.

As part of its planned takeover by Fifth Third Bancorp, Charlotte-based First Charter Corp. has told state officials that it plans to lay off 289 employees, about 27 percent of its 1,100-member workforce. A First Charter spokeswoman recently said the number is expected to end up being less than 250 because some employees are finding other positions in the two companies. The company in November began notifying employees of job cuts as part of its $1.1 billion sale to Cincinnati-based Fifth Third. It has sent two notices to the N.C. State Commerce Department, saying it planned to eliminate 261 and 28 workers in its University area headquarters.