HERMITAGE — FNB Corp. joined the ever-growing list of ailing financial companies as the Hermitage-based financial services company announced Tuesday it would report a loss of up to $21 million and was getting $100 million from the government to shore up its finances.

Tuesday’s announcement came under what is known in financial circles as an “earnings guidance” whereby a company tells investors of a significant event that will cause its earnings to go up or down.

In its statement FNB said it expected to report a loss of between $17 million to $21 million, or 19 cents to 23 cents a diluted share, for the fourth quarter.

While reporting such a loss isn’t good, local stockbrokers said the company clearly isn’t in a dire situation.

FNB also said it expects to post a profit of between $33 million to $37 million, or 41 cents to 46 cents a share, for all of 2008.

“The loss they’re posting is manageable for their size — as long as there are no other shoes to drop,’’ said David DeForest, a broker with Butler Wick & Co.’s Sharon office.

FNB blamed the loss on loans it is holding in Florida and a downturn in certain investments. FNB owns several financial institutions in the Sunshine State.

Florida’s real estate market has been among the hardest hit in the nation as property values have plummeted over the past year.

“We continue to aggressively address our Florida exposure to recognize the weakness in the Florida economy,’’ said Bob New, FNB’s president and chief executive officer. “With these actions we have charged off $15 million of the Florida portfolio in 2008, which now totals $294 million or less than 5 percent of our total loan portfolio.’’

FNB said as part of it securing $100 million from the federal Troubled Asset Relief Program, the company on Jan. 9 completed the sale of 100,000 shares of newly issued preferred stock valued at the same amount.

The federal government now holds FNB stock. Under the program the company was required to issue the stock.

TARP was designed for the government to invest in banks to generate more money available for loans. FNB said it will use the additional money in its regular operations, including making loans.

FNB was approved for more than $180 million under TARP but concluded it only needed $100 million, New said.

“I will tell you there’s an awful lot of banks the government has said ‘no’ to,’’ Michael Wiseman, a broker with Olde Hickory Financial Services LLC in Hermitage, said. “The fact the government was willing to give them up to $180 million and that they only needed $100 million is a positive.’’

Among the terms for the TARP program are the government’s stock must generate 5 percent in dividends a year for five years and 9 percent after the fifth year. Also, for the first three years a company can’t increase its dividends without the Treasury Department’s permission and there can be standards set on executive compensation.

In addition to the $100 million in preferred stock, FNB issued warrants to the government at an exercise price of $11.42 that gives the government the right to buy more stock at that price if it chooses.

FNB issued the announcement after the stock market closed. The company’s stock closed at $11.76, up 25 cents. Final fourth quarter results for FNB are expected to be posted on Jan. 26.

In reflecting on the situation New acknowledged he was disappointed but was optimistic on the future and promised to use the government’s funds wisely.

“We will use the additional capital to further strengthen our ability to support growth strategies that are centered on our commitment to the communities we serve, specifically on efforts that support the local economy and needs of our customers,’’ New said.

With more than 1,000 employees in the local area FNB is among Mercer County’s biggest employers and can trace its roots back to the Civil War. The company is best known locally for its First National Bank of Pennsylvania affiliate, which also is headquartered in Hermitage.