First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) CFO gets stock award and covers taxes with shares

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

First Financial Bancorp Chief Financial Officer James M. Anderson reported equity compensation activity in company stock. On March 4, 2026, he acquired 20,668 shares of common stock as a grant or award at $0.00 per share, increasing his direct holdings. The next day, March 5, 2026, 1,557 shares of common stock were disposed of at $27.75 per share to cover tax liabilities by delivering shares.

After these transactions, he directly held 128,588 common shares, which include 10,334 restricted performance shares that vest after three years if certain performance measures are met. He also has indirect holdings of common stock as UTMA custodian for his daughter and son and through a 401(k) account.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

ANDERSON JAMES M

(Last) (First) (Middle)

255 EAST 5TH STREET, SUITE 2900

(Street)

CINCINNATI OH 45202

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ [ FFBC ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	Chief Financial Officer

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
03/04/2026

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	03/04/2026		A		20,668(1)	A	$0	130,145	D
Common Stock	03/05/2026		F		1,557	D	$27.75	128,588	D
Common Stock								566(2)	I	As UTMA Custodian for Daughter
Common Stock								828(3)	I	As UTMA Custodian for Son
Common Stock								20,563.4069(4)	I	By 401-K

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares

Explanation of Responses:

1. Includes 10,334 restricted performance shares subject to vesting at three years upon the attainment of certain performance measures.

2. Includes 21 shares obtained through dividend reinvestment in 2025.

3. Includes 31 shares obtained through dividend reinvestment in 2025.

4. Balance adjusted to reflect reduction of fractional share for administrative fees in 2025.

	/s/ Maria Hinkel, POA	03/06/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
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FAQ

What insider transactions did FFBC CFO James M. Anderson report?

James M. Anderson reported a stock award and a related tax-share disposition. He received 20,668 shares of First Financial Bancorp common stock as a grant, then 1,557 shares were disposed of at $27.75 per share to satisfy tax obligations by delivering shares.

How many FFBC shares did the CFO acquire in the latest Form 4 filing?

He acquired 20,668 shares of First Financial Bancorp common stock as a grant at $0.00 per share. This grant increased his direct holdings and includes restricted performance shares subject to vesting after three years if specific performance measures are achieved.

Why were 1,557 FFBC shares disposed of by the CFO?

The 1,557 First Financial Bancorp shares were disposed of to pay tax liabilities by delivering securities. The shares were valued at $27.75 per share and are coded as a tax-withholding disposition, not an open-market sale, in the Form 4 filing.

What is the FFBC CFO’s direct ownership after these transactions?

Following the grant and tax-withholding disposition, James M. Anderson directly holds 128,588 shares of First Financial Bancorp common stock. This balance includes 10,334 restricted performance shares that will vest after three years upon meeting certain performance criteria.

Does the FFBC CFO hold any restricted performance shares?

Yes. His direct holdings include 10,334 restricted performance shares of First Financial Bancorp. These shares are scheduled to vest after three years, provided specified performance measures are achieved, aligning part of his compensation with company performance over time.

What indirect FFBC share holdings are associated with the CFO?

In addition to direct holdings, Anderson has indirect ownership in First Financial Bancorp shares. These include shares held as UTMA custodian for his daughter and son, and shares held through a 401(k) account, reflecting retirement and custodial ownership structures.