FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ Material Event - What Happened

Hey there! Let's break down some important news about FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ in a way that makes sense, without all the confusing finance talk. Think of this as me explaining it to you over coffee.

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1. What happened?

So, here's the big news:

• FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP just completed its big merger with another bank, BankFinancial Corporation. This means BankFinancial is now officially part of FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP, and their banking subsidiary, BankFinancial, National Association, has merged into First Financial Bank. As part of the deal, BankFinancial shareholders received 0.480 shares of FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP stock for each share they owned.

2. When did it happen?

This all went down on:

• The merger officially closed and became effective on January 1, 2026. The company announced its completion with a press release on December 31, 2025, though the original agreement was made back on August 11, 2025.

3. Why did it happen?

Why did they do this, you ask? Well, it seems like:

• While the filing doesn't spell out all the reasons, typically, banks merge to grow their business, expand into new areas, gain more customers, and become more competitive. This move likely fits into FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP's strategy to become a larger and stronger financial institution.

4. Why does this matter?

Okay, but what does this actually mean for everyone? This is a big deal because:

• This is a big deal because FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP is now a significantly larger bank. It means they've expanded their operations, potentially gaining more branches, customers, and assets. This could lead to increased market share and a stronger presence in the banking industry.

5. Who is affected?

Who's going to feel this the most? Let's break down who this affects:

• Customers: Customers of BankFinancial will now be customers of First Financial Bank. They might see changes to their account numbers, online banking platforms, or branch locations, but banks usually try to make these transitions as smooth as possible. FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP customers might see an expanded network of services or branches.
• Employees: Employees who worked for BankFinancial are now part of the FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP team. This means new colleagues, potentially new roles, and the integration of two different company cultures.
• Investors/Shareholders: For BankFinancial shareholders, their shares have been converted into FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP stock. For existing FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP shareholders, they now own a piece of a larger, combined company. The market will be watching closely to see how this integration impacts the company's financial performance and stock price over time.
• The Banking Industry: This merger consolidates the banking landscape, making FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP a more formidable player and potentially increasing competition for other banks in the regions where both previously operated.

6. What happens next?

So, what's the plan now? Looking ahead, here's what we can expect:

• Since the merger is complete, the immediate next steps involve integrating the two companies. This is a huge undertaking that includes combining their computer systems, customer accounts, branch networks, and employee teams. We can expect to hear updates on how this integration is progressing in future company announcements.

7. What should investors/traders know?

If you own shares or are thinking about buying, here's the lowdown:

• Now that the merger is done, the focus shifts to how well FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP can integrate BankFinancial. Successful integration can lead to long-term growth and increased profitability, but it can also be complex and costly in the short term. Keep an eye on future earnings reports for signs of how the combined entity is performing and whether the expected benefits of the merger are materializing. Remember, big changes like this can bring both opportunities and risks, so it's always good to do your own homework.