First Financial Bancorp acquires BankFinancial
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 11 2025
0mins
Acquisition Agreement: First Financial (FFBC) has agreed to acquire BankFinancial (BFIN) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $142 million, with each share of BankFinancial being converted into 0.48 shares of First Financial stock.
Impact and Approval: The merger is expected to enhance First Financial's earnings per share and maintain its tangible book value, having received unanimous approval from both boards and pending regulatory and shareholder approvals before closing in Q4.
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Analyst Views on FFBC
Wall Street analysts forecast FFBC stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 31.380
Low
28.00
Averages
29.00
High
31.00
Current: 31.380
Low
28.00
Averages
29.00
High
31.00
About FFBC
First Financial Bancorp. is a bank holding company. It engages in the business of commercial banking and other banking and banking-related activities through its subsidiary, First Financial Bank (the Bank). The range of banking services provided by the Company includes commercial lending, real estate lending and consumer financing. It offers deposit products that include interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing accounts, time deposits and cash management services for retail and commercial customers. A full range of trust and wealth management services is also provided through its Wealth Management line of business. Commercial and industrial loans are made for all types of businesses for a variety of purposes, including inventory, receivables and equipment. It works with businesses to meet their shorter-term working capital needs while also providing long-term financing for their business plans. Its full-service banking centers primarily in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
First Financial Bank Completes System Conversion and Rebranding
- Brand Rebranding Completed: First Financial Bank has successfully completed the conversion of BankFinancial's systems, with all retail branches and ATMs now rebranded, marking a comprehensive business integration in the Chicagoland area that is expected to enhance customer experience and strengthen market competitiveness.
- Expanded Service Offerings: Under the new brand, First Financial Bank offers consumer banking, commercial banking, specialty banking, and wealth management services, allowing clients to access a wider range of financial solutions, which is anticipated to attract more customers and increase market share.
- Community Investment Commitment: First Financial Bank has pledged $1 million to the First Financial Foundation to support organizations in the Chicagoland area, reflecting its community-first approach and aiming to enhance customer loyalty and brand image.
- Robust Asset Base: As of March 31, 2026, First Financial Bank reported assets of $22.8 billion, loans of $13.5 billion, deposits of $17.9 billion, and shareholders' equity of $2.9 billion, demonstrating its strong financial foundation and ongoing growth potential.
See More
First Financial Bank Completes System Conversion and Rebranding
- System Conversion Completed: First Financial Bank has successfully completed the conversion of BankFinancial's operating systems, now offering comprehensive consumer, commercial, and wealth management services in the Chicagoland area, marking a critical step in brand integration that is expected to enhance customer satisfaction and market competitiveness.
- Community Investment Commitment: First Financial Bank has pledged $1 million to the First Financial Foundation to support organizations in the Chicagoland area, reflecting its community-first service philosophy aimed at enhancing brand image and promoting local economic development.
- Retail Network Expansion: The newly opened retail locations span multiple cities in the Chicagoland area, including Calumet City and Orland Park, further expanding First Financial Bank's market share in the region, which is expected to attract more customers and increase business volume.
- Robust Asset Base: As of March 31, 2026, First Financial Bank reported total assets of $22.8 billion, with loans totaling $13.5 billion and deposits of $17.9 billion, demonstrating its strong financial foundation and potential for continued growth.
See More
First Financial Bancorp Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
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- Robust Asset Base: As of March 31, 2026, the company reported total assets of $22.8 billion, with loans at $13.5 billion and deposits at $17.9 billion, indicating a solid market position and ongoing growth potential.
- Wealth Management Growth: The wealth management division managed approximately $4.1 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026, offering comprehensive wealth planning and investment services, thereby strengthening its competitive edge among high-net-worth clients.
- Recognition as Exceptional Workplace: First Financial Bancorp received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award in both 2025 and 2026, highlighting its excellence in employee satisfaction and corporate culture, which enhances its brand image and attractiveness to talent.
See More
FIRST FINANCIAL REVEALS BOARD ELECTION RESULTS AND RAISED DIVIDEND DURING ANNUAL MEETING
Board Election Announcement: First Financial has announced the election of its board members during the annual meeting.
Increased Dividend Declaration: The company has also declared an increase in its dividend, reflecting positive financial performance.
See More
First Financial (FFBC) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
First Financial Bancorp Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Acquisition Integration Progress: First Financial Bancorp successfully completed the acquisition of BankFinancial and the conversion of Westfield Bank, resulting in a $71 million increase in loan balances for the quarter, despite a decline in ICRE loans due to payoff pressures, indicating a proactive approach to expanding market share.
- Stable Profitability: Adjusted earnings per share stood at $0.77, with a net interest margin maintained at 3.99%, demonstrating resilience in the face of Fed rate cuts, and the company expects this margin to remain stable in the upcoming quarters, reflecting its adaptability to changing interest rate environments.
- Expense and Revenue Outlook: The company anticipates fee income to range between $75 million and $77 million in the second quarter, with foreign exchange and leasing business revenues projected at $14 million to $16 million and $20 million to $22 million respectively, showcasing strategic planning in diversifying revenue streams.
- Capital Management Strategy: The Board authorized a $5 million share repurchase plan, with capital ratios continuing to rise to 7.9%, underscoring the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder returns and capital allocation efficiency.
See More
First Financial Bank Completes System Conversion and Rebranding
- Brand Rebranding Completed: First Financial Bank has successfully completed the conversion of BankFinancial's systems, with all retail branches and ATMs now rebranded, marking a comprehensive business integration in the Chicagoland area that is expected to enhance customer experience and strengthen market competitiveness.
- Expanded Service Offerings: Under the new brand, First Financial Bank offers consumer banking, commercial banking, specialty banking, and wealth management services, allowing clients to access a wider range of financial solutions, which is anticipated to attract more customers and increase market share.
- Community Investment Commitment: First Financial Bank has pledged $1 million to the First Financial Foundation to support organizations in the Chicagoland area, reflecting its community-first approach and aiming to enhance customer loyalty and brand image.
- Robust Asset Base: As of March 31, 2026, First Financial Bank reported assets of $22.8 billion, loans of $13.5 billion, deposits of $17.9 billion, and shareholders' equity of $2.9 billion, demonstrating its strong financial foundation and ongoing growth potential.
See More
First Financial Bank Completes System Conversion and Rebranding
- System Conversion Completed: First Financial Bank has successfully completed the conversion of BankFinancial's operating systems, now offering comprehensive consumer, commercial, and wealth management services in the Chicagoland area, marking a critical step in brand integration that is expected to enhance customer satisfaction and market competitiveness.
- Community Investment Commitment: First Financial Bank has pledged $1 million to the First Financial Foundation to support organizations in the Chicagoland area, reflecting its community-first service philosophy aimed at enhancing brand image and promoting local economic development.
- Retail Network Expansion: The newly opened retail locations span multiple cities in the Chicagoland area, including Calumet City and Orland Park, further expanding First Financial Bank's market share in the region, which is expected to attract more customers and increase business volume.
- Robust Asset Base: As of March 31, 2026, First Financial Bank reported total assets of $22.8 billion, with loans totaling $13.5 billion and deposits of $17.9 billion, demonstrating its strong financial foundation and potential for continued growth.
See More
First Financial Bancorp Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
- Quarterly Cash Dividend: First Financial Bancorp's board declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on June 15, 2026, to enhance shareholder returns and bolster investor confidence.
- Robust Asset Base: As of March 31, 2026, the company reported total assets of $22.8 billion, with loans at $13.5 billion and deposits at $17.9 billion, indicating a solid market position and ongoing growth potential.
- Wealth Management Growth: The wealth management division managed approximately $4.1 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026, offering comprehensive wealth planning and investment services, thereby strengthening its competitive edge among high-net-worth clients.
- Recognition as Exceptional Workplace: First Financial Bancorp received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award in both 2025 and 2026, highlighting its excellence in employee satisfaction and corporate culture, which enhances its brand image and attractiveness to talent.
See More
FIRST FINANCIAL REVEALS BOARD ELECTION RESULTS AND RAISED DIVIDEND DURING ANNUAL MEETING
Board Election Announcement: First Financial has announced the election of its board members during the annual meeting.
Increased Dividend Declaration: The company has also declared an increase in its dividend, reflecting positive financial performance.
See More
First Financial (FFBC) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
First Financial Bancorp Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Acquisition Integration Progress: First Financial Bancorp successfully completed the acquisition of BankFinancial and the conversion of Westfield Bank, resulting in a $71 million increase in loan balances for the quarter, despite a decline in ICRE loans due to payoff pressures, indicating a proactive approach to expanding market share.
- Stable Profitability: Adjusted earnings per share stood at $0.77, with a net interest margin maintained at 3.99%, demonstrating resilience in the face of Fed rate cuts, and the company expects this margin to remain stable in the upcoming quarters, reflecting its adaptability to changing interest rate environments.
- Expense and Revenue Outlook: The company anticipates fee income to range between $75 million and $77 million in the second quarter, with foreign exchange and leasing business revenues projected at $14 million to $16 million and $20 million to $22 million respectively, showcasing strategic planning in diversifying revenue streams.
- Capital Management Strategy: The Board authorized a $5 million share repurchase plan, with capital ratios continuing to rise to 7.9%, underscoring the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder returns and capital allocation efficiency.
See More
