First Fin Banc Stock Price, News & Analysis

First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) announced it completed its acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial effective January 1, 2026 via an all-stock transaction.

The deal adds BankFinancial's 18 Chicago-area financial centers, regional and national commercial loan, lease and deposit businesses and brings First Financial's consolidated assets to $22 billion. BankFinancial will operate under its current name until a planned conversion in June 2026; customers need take no action before conversion notices arrive.

The acquisition extends First Financial's Midwestern footprint alongside recent deals in Chicago, Lincolnshire, Westfield and Grand Rapids and aims to expand consumer, commercial, specialty lending and wealth management offerings in Chicago.

First Financial (Nasdaq: FFBC) received regulatory approval from the Federal Reserve and the Ohio Department of Financial Institutions to complete its acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial.

The transaction is an all-stock deal valued at approximately $142 million as of the merger agreement date. Closing is anticipated on or around January 1, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and approval by BankFinancial shareholders.

First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) priced a public offering of $300 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2035. Interest is 6.375% through Dec 1, 2030, then a floating rate expected to be Three-Month Term SOFR + 300 bps. The Notes are intended to qualify as Tier 2 capital. Net proceeds are estimated at approximately $296 million, intended for general corporate purposes including possible redemption of the company's 5.25% subordinated notes due 2030. The offering is expected to close on Nov 10, 2025.

First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) announced it has completed the acquisition of Westfield Bancorp and Westfield Bank in a cash-and-stock transaction from Ohio Farmers Insurance Company, bringing First Financial's total assets to $20.6 billion.

All Westfield retail locations, plus Westfield's commercial, insurance agency banking and private banking services, join First Financial's existing commercial banking and wealth management operations. Westfield Bank will continue to operate under its name until a conversion process expected to complete in March 2026, when products, processes and systems will be consolidated. Clients will receive conversion details and need take no action until then.

First Financial Bancorp (NASDAQ: FFBC) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per common share on October 28, 2025. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2025 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2025.

First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) reported third-quarter 2025 results with net income $71.9M and EPS $0.75 ($0.76 adjusted). Total revenue reached a record $234M and record noninterest income was $73.5M ($73.6M adjusted). Net interest margin was 4.02% FTE. Return on average assets was 1.54% and ROATCE was 19.11%. Capital strengthened: total capital ratio 15.32%, tier 1 common 12.91%, and tangible common equity 8.87%. Annualized net charge-offs were 0.18%. Regulatory approval obtained for the Westfield acquisition; expected close Nov 1, 2025.

First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) will release its third quarter 2025 financial results after market close on Thursday, October 23, 2025. A teleconference and webcast to discuss results is scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Teleconference dial-in: 1-888-550-5723 (Access Code: 5048068). Teleconference replay: 1-800-770-2030 (Access Code: 5048068) available one hour after the call until November 7, 2025. Webcast and archived replay available via http://ir.bankatfirst.com/CorporateProfile; archived for 12 months.

First Financial Bank (NASDAQ:FFBC) has announced its strategic acquisition of BankFinancial (NASDAQ:BFIN) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $142 million. The deal will significantly expand First Financial's presence in the Chicago market, adding 18 retail locations and bringing total pro forma deposits to $2.2 billion.

Under the agreement, BankFinancial shareholders will receive 0.48 shares of First Financial common stock for each BankFinancial share. The transaction, expected to close in Q4 2025, will be accretive to First Financial's earnings per share while maintaining tangible book value per share. All BankFinancial employees will join First Financial upon closing.

First Financial Bancorp (NASDAQ:FFBC) reported strong Q2 2025 financial results with earnings per diluted share of $0.73 ($0.74 adjusted). The company achieved record quarterly revenue of $226.3 million, representing a 5% year-over-year increase. Key performance metrics include a return on average assets of 1.52% and a robust net interest margin of 4.05%.

The bank demonstrated solid financial health with loan growth of 2% annualized and average deposit growth of 3% annualized. Asset quality remained stable with net charge-offs at 21 basis points. The Board approved a quarterly dividend increase to $0.25 per share, representing a 4.2% increase. Additionally, the company's pending acquisition of Westfield Bank in Northeast Ohio is progressing with regulatory approvals expected this year.