First Financial Bank (Ohio)
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Banking |
| Founded | August 10, 1863 in Hamilton, Ohio, United States |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio , United States |
Area served | Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois |
| Products | Commercial banking, consumer banking, wealth management |
| Website | firstfinancialbank |
First Financial Bancorp is a regional banking institution headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with operational hubs located in Springdale, a northern suburb of Cincinnati, and Greensburg, Indiana. Established in 1863, it possesses the sixth oldest national bank charter and maintains a network of 131 branches throughout Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
In 2009, the company expanded its footprint by acquiring Irwin Financial Corp and its subsidiaries through a transaction supported by government assistance.
The banking services are delivered through its subsidiary, First Financial Bank, N.A., which operates three primary divisions: commercial, consumer, and wealth management. Both commercial and consumer segments provide conventional banking solutions to businesses and individual clients. The wealth management division offers comprehensive services including wealth planning, portfolio oversight, trust and estate administration, brokerage services, and retirement planning. As of September 30, 2020, it managed assets totaling approximately $15.9 billion.
History
Founded in 1863 as the First National Bank of Hamilton, First Financial Bank, N.A. was granted charter number 56 on August 10, 1863, under the provisions of the National Bank Act. The bank commenced operations on August 15, 1863, with its inaugural branch in Hamilton. In 1923, following the establishment of its trust department, the institution was renamed First National Bank and Trust Company of Hamilton.
The year 1980 marked the merger of this bank with the First National Bank of Middletown to create the First National Bank of Southwestern Ohio, thereby extending its reach beyond Butler County via strategic acquisitions. Subsequently, in 1983, First Financial Bancorp was formed as a holding company.
In 2008, the holding company relocated its headquarters to Norwood, while the bank’s main office remained in Hamilton. The holding company underwent another move in 2009 to the Atrium One building situated in Downtown Cincinnati. By 2011, it had established its headquarters at the Chemed Center building—later renamed First Financial Center.
In July 2017, First Financial Bancorp announced an agreement to purchase MainSource Bank, based in Greensburg, Indiana, for $1 billion. This acquisition elevated First Financial to become Cincinnati’s fourth-largest bank and the second-largest locally headquartered financial institution. The transaction closed on April 2, 2018, with full integration of MainSource’s systems and deposits finalized by May 29, 2018.
In June 2025, First Financial revealed a definitive agreement to acquire Westfield Bancorp from Ohio Farmers Insurance Company through a combination of cash and stock consideration.