UNITED STATES
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):
May 15, 2008
FIRST CHARTER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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North Carolina
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0-15829
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56-1355866
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(State or other
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(Commission
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(IRS Employer
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jurisdiction of
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File Number)
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Identification No.)
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incorporation)
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10200 David Taylor Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina
28262-2373
(Address of principal executive
offices, including zip code)
(704) 688-4300
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended
to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to
Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 5.04. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION
OF TRADING UNDER REGISTRANT'S
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
On April 30,
2008, First Charter Corporation (the "Corporation") sent a notice to
participants in the First Charter Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan")
notifying the participants that activity in the Plan would be closed for
participant transactions during an upcoming blackout period. The blackout
period is expected to begin on May 30,
2008 and end during the week of June 30, 2008. The
blackout period is being implemented in connection with the anticipated merger
of the Corporation with and into Fifth Third Financial Corporation, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bancorp. The merger is currently anticipated
to close on June 6, 2008. During the blackout period, participants will
be unable to take loans or distributions from the Plan (including final
distributions at termination of employment) or make any investment changes. In
accordance with Regulation BTR and Section 306(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, on May 15, 2008, the Corporation sent a notice to its directors and
executive officers regarding the blackout period. A copy of the blackout
notice sent to the executive officers and directors is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
During the
blackout period and for a period of two years after the ending date of the
blackout period, a security holder or other interested persons may obtain,
without charge, the actual beginning and ending dates of the blackout period by
contacting Josephine P. Sawyer, Human Resources, First Charter Corporation, P.
O. Box 37937, Charlotte, North Carolina 28237-7937 or at (704) 688-1177.
ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
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Description
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99.1
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Notice to Directors and
Executive Officers of First Charter Corporation dated May 15, 2008
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
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FIRST CHARTER
CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/
STEPHEN J. ANTAL
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Stephen J.
Antal
Executive Vice
President, General Counsel
and Secretary
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Dated: May 15, 2008
EXHBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
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Description
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99.1
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Notice to Directors and
Executive Officers of First Charter Corporation dated May 15, 2008
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