The merger of The Bank of Lehighton into the Peoples First National Bank and Trust effective at the close of business today, it was announced jointly by O. E. Phillips, president of Peoples First National Bank and Trust Company and Gordon T. Bennett, president of the Bank of Lehighton. Under the merger, Gordon T. Bennett and Edgar A. Poe will become vice presidents of Peoples First National Bank and Trust Company. The Bank of Lehighton office will retain all of its present officers and employees.