First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC)

Over the past six months, First Financial Bancorp announced an agreement to acquire Westfield Bancorp in June 2025, expected to close in Q4 2025. In November 2025, they announced the pricing of a subordinated notes offering and declared quarterly cash dividends. In December 2025, regulatory approval was secured for the acquisition of BankFinancial, completed on January 1, 2026. FFBC's stock price increased by 5.78% over the past three months, but decreased by 3.84% in the past month as of early January 2026. Over the last 12 months, the stock price has seen a modest increase of 0.43%.

The banking industry, including First Financial Bancorp, experiences seasonal trends in loan demand, typically lowest in January and February, increasing in March, and peaking in August or September. Demand for investment services often increases in December and early January due to portfolio rebalancing and tax planning activities.

First Financial Bancorp operates in the finance sector and regional banking industry, providing banking and financial services through its subsidiary, First Financial Bank. Its services include commercial and retail banking, investment commercial real estate, mortgage banking, commercial finance, and wealth management. The company offers commercial lending, real estate lending, consumer financing, deposit products, and wealth management services, along with specialty lending platforms.

First Financial Bancorp operates through 127 full-service banking centers primarily in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois as of September 30, 2025. Its commercial finance business extends lending activities nationwide to targeted industry verticals. Strategic acquisitions have expanded its presence in the Chicagoland area and Northeast Ohio.

First Financial Bancorp has maintained a strong brand reputation, receiving an "Outstanding" rating from the Federal Reserve for its Community Reinvestment Act performance for the second consecutive year. It was also recognized as a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner in 2025. The company reported a 92.6% in-branch client satisfaction score in 2024 and demonstrates a strong focus on corporate social responsibility. The company exhibits robust cybersecurity measures, achieving a cumulative score of 98/100 from BlackKite Security in 2024.

Institutional investors predominantly hold First Financial Bancorp's shares, with approximately 80.78% ownership as of April 2025. Major institutional shareholders include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc., and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Insider ownership is around 0.99% as of April 2025, with Archie Brown, the President & Chief Executive Officer, noted in recent insider transactions.