October 26, 2019 at 5:08 a.m.

I&M changes disconnect procedure

Business roundup

In the wake of a series of ongoing scams, Indiana Michigan Power has revised its  communication procedure for customers facing the sensitive issue of disconnection.

I&M has adopted a follow-up phone message in addition to the written notice informing customers of pending disconnections and explaining options to continue their service.

Customers who receive such a call can confirm it is from I&M and not a scammer by calling one of I&M’s legitimate Customer Operations Center phone numbers. 

Those are 866-715-3526 and 800-311-4634.

All customers who are facing disconnection receive a written notice explaining the amount due and the scheduled date of the disconnection. 

Customers who believe they may have difficulty paying their bill are always encouraged to call I&M’s Customer Operations Center to discuss possible options in advance of their due dates.

“If customers receive a call about their bill and are instructed to call any other phone number, it is likely a scam and they should call I&M immediately. I&M has received reports of customers receiving such a call, calling the number provided and being asked to send or deliver money immediately. If you receive such a call, please call the Customer Operations Center to report it,” a company spokesman said.



Drones coming

CNN reported this week that CVS will be experimenting with drone delivery in partnership with United Parcel Service.

They have received a go-ahead from the Federal Aviation Administration.

CVS and UPS have not said when or where deliveries will begin, or how many will be made. CVS's announcement follows a similar one from its rival Walgreens, which launched a small drone delivery service in Virginia.



Cash dividend

First Financial Bancorp, the Cincinnati-based holding company for First Financial Bank, this week declared a quarterly cash dividend of 23 cents per common share. 

The dividend is payable on Dec. 16 to shareholders of record as of Dec. 2.

Meanwhile Cincinnati Business Courier reported the bank holding company took a $6.3 million hit on three loans to franchise owners that it charged off during the third quarter.

Of those charge-offs, $3.2 million comes from a loan to one large customer that First Financial has resolved, the news outlet reported. 

The other $3.1 million comes from two other franchise customers that the bank continues to try to work out. 



Income down

First Merchants Corporation reported third quarter 2019 net income of $36.8 million compared to $41.1 million during the same period in 2018.  Earnings per share for the period totaled $.71 per share compared to third quarter 2018 results of $.83 per share. 



Going forward

POET Biorefining is goiing ahead with the closing of its plant in Cloverdale, Inside Indiana Business reported this week.

The company announced plans to close the plant in August.

POET opened the ethanol plant in April 2011, the company’s fourth biofuels plant in the state. According to the company website, POET purchased the 90 million-gallon-per-year ethanol plant from Altra Biofuels in June 2010
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