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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
December 23, 1996
FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Mexico 0-25956 85-0317365
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S Employer
incorporation or organization) file number) Identification No.)
100 East Broadway, Farmington, New Mexico 87401
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Address of principal executive offices Zip Code
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (505) 326-9000
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ITEM 6. OTHER EVENTS
News release dated December 20,1996 announcing the Company's
regular quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of 1996 and
a special dividend.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) EXHIBITS
News release from First Place Financial Corporation dated
December 20, 1996.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
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(Registrant)
Date: December 23, 1996 James D. Rose
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James D. Rose
President and Chief Operating Officer
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NEWS RELEASE
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DATE: December 20, 1996
CONTACT: James D. Rose, President
TELEPHONE: (505) 326-9042
FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO -- Richard I. Ledbetter, chief executive officer of
First Place Financial Corporation, has announced that the company has
declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.32 per share and a special
dividend of $.36 per share. The dividends are payable February 3, 1997 to
shareholders of record as of January 6, 1997. According to Ledbetter, the
special dividend reflects the company's continued strong performance.
These dividends bring the total dividends declared per share for the year
to $1.64, an increase of $.21, or 14.7%, over 1995, all as adjusted for the
3-for-1 stock split declared May 15, 1996.
First Place stock, which is quoted on the NASDAQ Bulletin Board under the
symbol FPLF, has recently traded in the $56.00 range. At year-end 1995, the
bid price was $40.83.
First Place Financial Corporation is based in Farmington, New Mexico
and owns the First National Bank of Farmington, NM, Burns National Bank
of Durango, CO, and Western Bank, Gallup, NM. With total assets of
approximately $800 million, it is the largest bank holding company
headquartered in New Mexico.
