Acquisition Approval: First Financial has received regulatory approval from the Federal Reserve and the Ohio Department of Financial Institutions to complete its acquisition of BankFinancial, valued at approximately $142 million, with closing anticipated around January 1, 2026, marking a significant step in expanding its market share.
Asset Scale: As of September 30, 2025, First Financial reported total assets of $18.6 billion, loans of $11.7 billion, deposits of $14.4 billion, and shareholders' equity of $2.6 billion, demonstrating its strong financial foundation and competitive position in the market.
Business Diversification: First Financial offers a comprehensive range of banking and financial services through its six business lines, including Commercial, Retail Banking, and Investment Commercial Real Estate, enhancing its adaptability and customer service capabilities in a diversified market.
Outstanding Community Performance: In 2025, First Financial received its second consecutive Outstanding rating from the Federal Reserve and was recognized as a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner, further enhancing its brand image and market recognition.
FFBC
$26.82+Infinity%1D
Analyst Views on FFBC
Wall Street analysts forecast FFBC stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for FFBC is 29.50 USD with a low forecast of 28.00 USD and a high forecast of 31.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
5 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast FFBC stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for FFBC is 29.50 USD with a low forecast of 28.00 USD and a high forecast of 31.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
2 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 26.830
Low
28.00
Averages
29.50
High
31.00
Current: 26.830
Low
28.00
Averages
29.50
High
31.00
Raymond James
Daniel Tamayo
Outperform
downgrade
$30 -> $28
2025-10-27
Reason
Raymond James
Daniel Tamayo
Price Target
$30 -> $28
2025-10-27
downgrade
Outperform
Reason
Raymond James analyst Daniel Tamayo lowered the firm's price target on First Financial Bancorp to $28 from $30 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. Core trends were solid in Q3, with stronger fee revenues driving pre-tax pre-provision income upside despite higher expenses, while credit metrics remained healthy though elevated commercial real estate payoffs and seasonal deposit outflows limited balance sheet growth, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
Hovde Group
Outperform
initiated
2025-08-19
Reason
Hovde Group
Price Target
2025-08-19
initiated
Outperform
Reason
Hovde Group initiated coverage of First Financial Bancorp with an Outperform rating.
Janney Montgomery Scott
Buy
to
Neutral
downgrade
$11.50
2025-08-12
Reason
Janney Montgomery Scott
Price Target
$11.50
2025-08-12
downgrade
Buy
to
Neutral
Reason
Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded BankFinancial (BFIN) to Neutral from Buy with a $11.50 fair value estimate after First Financial (FFBC) announced an agreement to acquire Chicago-based BankFinancial in an all-stock transaction.
RBC Capital
Sector Perform
maintain
$27 -> $28
2025-07-28
Reason
RBC Capital
Price Target
$27 -> $28
2025-07-28
maintain
Sector Perform
Reason
RBC Capital raised the firm's price target on First Financial Bancorp to $28 from $27 and keeps a Sector Perform rating on the shares. The company delivered a quality quarter with healthy fundamental trends and largely stable credit, and the firm views the outlook as favorable, expecting targeted commercial and industrial and specialty lending verticals to strengthen in the second half, alongside moderating commercial real estate pre-payments, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
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 Bank provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services. In addition, it offers deposit products that include interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing accounts, time deposits and cash management services for commercial customers. Its full-service banking centers are located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the commercial finance business lends to targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis.
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.
