By Jeff McKinney
Enquirer staff writer

Shares of Winton Financial Corp. rose nearly 32 percent Thursday, a day after it announced it had agreed to be acquired by WesBanco Inc., a Wheeling, W.Va., banking company, in a deal valued at $102.5 million.

Winton Financial's stock closed at $20.16, up $4.86, Thursday.

The stock had hit a 52-week high of $20.50 before retreating at closing. WesBanco closed at $27.51, down 39 cents.

Winton, one of Greater Cincinnati's largest savings and loans, announced the deal after the market closed Wednesday.

The 117-year-old Winton, based in Monfort Heights, has assets of $553.7 million, deposits of $367.3 million and seven branches, all in Hamilton County. It serves 25,000 to 30,000 customers.

One of Southwest Ohio's last publicly traded thrifts, Winton also operates loan production offices in Anderson Township and Lawrenceburg.

Bob Bollin, Winton's president and CEO, will continue to run the thrift for WesBanco. He said most of the 140 employees at Winton will be retained because Winton and WesBanco have no local branch overlap.

He also said WesBanco plans to use the Winton deal to enter the Greater Cincinnati market.

Bollin said WesBanco plans to offer several products in Cincinnati, including brokerage services, insurance and commercial lending.

The merger, which has been approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to be completed by early next year. It must be approved by Winton shareholders and federal and state banking regulators.

E-mail jmckinney@enquirer.com