First Financial Bank
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Predecessor | Second State Bank of Indiana (branch) |
| Founded | 1834 |
| Headquarters | Terre Haute , United States |
Area served | Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee |
| Products | Cash management, lease financing, debit cards, online banking, investment advisory, wealth management, brokerage, investment consulting |
| Owner | First Financial Corporation |
| Parent | First Financial Corporation |
First Financial Bank operates as a regional banking institution under the ownership of First Financial Corporation, which is based in Terre Haute, Indiana. It holds the distinction of being the oldest national bank in Indiana and ranks as the fifth oldest in the United States. Additionally, First Financial Corporation is the sole publicly traded enterprise headquartered in Vigo County.
History
The bank's origins trace back to 1834 when it was established as a branch of the Second State Bank of Indiana. It subsequently adopted the name Terre Haute First National Bank. In 1983, First Financial Corporation was formed to serve as its holding company, becoming Indiana’s inaugural multi-bank holding company by 1984. Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, the affiliated banks unified under the First Financial Bank brand in 2003.
Initially concentrating on counties in Indiana and Illinois surrounding Terre Haute, First Financial expanded its footprint into Kentucky through two recent mergers. By 2021, the bank maintained branches and lending offices across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Indiana
On September 27, 2021, First Financial Corporation declared that The Morris Plan Company of Terre Haute, a longstanding subsidiary, would be merged into First Financial Bank effective December 31, 2021.
Illinois
In October 2011, First Financial Corporation revealed its acquisition of Pontiac-based PNB Holding Company, which owned Freestar Bank with 13 locations throughout Central Illinois.
In March 2013, First Financial Corp. expanded further by purchasing nine branch offices located in central and southern Illinois from Bank of America.
Kentucky
On July 29, 2019, First Financial finalized its merger with HopFed Bancorp, Inc. (HFBC), combining First Financial Bank with HFBC's subsidiary Heritage Bank USA, headquartered in Hopkinsville.
In August 2021, First Financial announced it had acquired Hancock Bank & Trust, a community bank situated in Hawesville, Kentucky. This $31.3 million transaction incorporated branches in Hawesville, Lewisport, Madisonville, Cloverport, and Bowling Green into First Financial's network.
Services
The bank provides a variety of services including cash management solutions, lease financing options, debit card offerings, online banking platforms, and other electronic banking facilities. Additionally, it delivers investment advisory services along with wealth management, brokerage operations, and investment consulting.