Financial Performance - For Q4 2025, First Financial Bancorp reported net income of $62.4 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, compared to $71.9 million, or $0.75 per diluted share in Q3 2025[3] - The company achieved record revenue of $251.3 million on an adjusted basis, with noninterest income reaching $77.3 million, also a record[5] - Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2025, was $62,393 thousand, a decrease from $71,923 thousand in the previous quarter[24] - Diluted net earnings per share decreased to $0.64 from $0.75 in the previous quarter[24] - Net income for the twelve months ended December 31 was $255,605, with a net earnings per share (diluted) of $2.66[26] - Net income for the year was $228,830, with the fourth quarter reporting $64,885[31] Asset and Deposit Growth - Total assets increased to $20,256,539 thousand from $18,566,188 thousand in the previous quarter, reflecting a growth of approximately 9.1%[24] - Total deposits rose to $15,958,657 thousand, up from $14,511,925 thousand in the previous quarter, indicating a growth of about 10.0%[24] - Total assets increased to $21,129,379 thousand, a 13.9% increase from the previous quarter and a 13.8% increase year-over-year[33] - Total deposits rose to $16,421,842 thousand, marking a 13.8% increase from the previous quarter and a 14.6% increase year-over-year[33] Loan Performance - Loan balances increased by 4% on an annualized basis during the quarter, with end-of-period loan balances rising by $1.7 billion, including $1.6 billion from the Westfield acquisition[6] - Net loans reached $13,237,583 thousand, reflecting a 14.6% increase from the previous quarter and a 14.1% increase year-over-year[33] - Commercial and industrial loans increased to $4,632,241 thousand, a 20.7% increase from the previous quarter and a 21.4% increase year-over-year[33] Interest Income and Margin - The net interest margin was reported at 3.98% on a fully tax-equivalent basis, reflecting a 4 basis point decrease from Q3 2025[6] - Total interest income for the twelve months ended December 31 was $1,001,904, reflecting a 5.5% increase compared to the previous year[26] - Total interest income for Q4 2025 reached $265,331,000, reflecting a 6.0% increase from the previous quarter[28] Credit Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses - The total allowance for credit losses (ACL) stood at $206.7 million, with an ACL to total loans ratio of 1.39%[9] - The allowance for credit losses increased to $186,487 thousand, a 15.2% increase from the previous quarter and an 18.9% increase year-over-year[33] - The ratio of nonaccrual loans to total loans was 0.76%, compared to 0.65% in the previous quarter, indicating a deterioration in credit quality[41] Shareholder Returns - The Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per common share, payable on March 16, 2026[7] - The company declared dividends of $0.25 per share[26] - Dividends declared per share for the year were $0.94, with the fourth quarter at $0.24[31] Employee Metrics - Full-time equivalent employees increased to 2,164 compared to 2,064 in the previous year[26] - Full-time equivalent employees increased to 2,164, up from 1,986 in the previous quarter[28] Capital Ratios and Equity - Common equity tier 1 ratio decreased to 11.32% from 12.91% in the previous quarter[24] - Total shareholders' equity grew to $2,769,216 thousand, a 5.2% increase from the previous quarter and a 13.6% increase year-over-year[33] - Total capital ratio improved to 15.46%, up from 15.32% in the previous quarter, reflecting an increase of 0.9%[43]

(1)Earnings per diluted share of $0.64; $0.80 on an adjusted basis is a Company record (1)Return on average assets of 1.22%; 1.52% on an adjusted basis (1)Net interest margin on FTE basis of 3.98% (1)Record revenue of $251.3 million on an adjusted basis (1)Record noninterest income of $77.3 million on an adjusted basis (1)ROTCE of 16.3%; 20.3% on adjusted basis Westfield acquisition closed November 1, 2025 Obtained regulatory approval for BankFinancial acquisition; closed January 1, 2026 $300 million of ...

Core Viewpoint - Options markets are indicating significant post-earnings volatility for several stocks, particularly regional banks, with expectations of price swings being amplified by the Federal Reserve's policy decision [1][2]. Group 1: Implied Moves and Earnings Reports - Options markets are pricing in double-digit to near-50% post-earnings swings for a group of regional banks [2]. - Ten stocks are highlighted with implied moves of approximately 30% or more ahead of their earnings reports this week [3]. - Capitol Federal Financial, Inc. is expected to have the highest implied move at 48.48%, with earnings per share projected at 15 cents and revenue at $57.51 million [5][6]. - First Financial Bancorp follows closely with a 47.50% implied move, expecting earnings per share of 56 cents and revenue of $245.83 million [5][6]. - Other notable stocks include Provident Financial Services, Inc. (39.22% implied move), First BanCorp (39.09% implied move), and West Bancorporation, Inc. (35.92% implied move) [5][6]. Group 2: Specific Stock Details - Beacon Financial Corp. anticipates earnings per share of 79 cents and revenue of $224.81 million, with an implied move of 29.48% [5]. - ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. expects earnings per share of 73 cents and revenue of $110.15 million, with an implied move of 29.51% [5]. - High Tide Inc., the only non-bank on the list, is set to report earnings per share of $0.01 and revenue of $114.95 million, with an implied move of 30.12% [5]. - Primis Financial Corp. is projected to have earnings per share of $1.10 and revenue of $34.98 million, with an implied move of 31.17% [5]. - Hope Bancorp, Inc. expects earnings per share of 26 cents and revenue of $142.91 million, with an implied move of 32.94% [5].

Group 1 - First Financial Bancorp. will release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on January 28, 2026, after market close [1] - A teleconference and webcast to discuss the financial results will take place on January 29, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time [2] Group 2 - As of September 30, 2025, First Financial Bancorp. had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.4 billion in deposits, and $2.6 billion in shareholders' equity [3] - The company operates through six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance, and Wealth Management [3] - Wealth Management had approximately $4.0 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2025 [3] - First Financial Bank received an Outstanding rating from the Federal Reserve for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act in 2025 [3] - The company operates 127 full-service banking centers across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois [3]

Group 1 - The article does not provide any relevant content regarding company or industry insights [1]

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp is set to complete its acquisition of BankFinancial Corporation on January 1, 2026, enhancing its presence in the Chicago market with retail consumer-focused locations [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition is an all-stock transaction that will add BankFinancial's 18 financial centers and its commercial loan, lease, and deposit lines of business to First Financial [2][3]. - Following the acquisition, First Financial will have $22 billion in assets and will expand its range of consumer, commercial, specialty lending, and wealth management services [2][3]. Group 2: Strategic Growth - The acquisition aligns with First Financial's strategy to grow in the Midwest, having previously established a commercial lending presence in Chicago's Fulton Market and acquired Agile Premium Finance in 2024 [4]. - In November 2025, First Financial completed the acquisition of Westfield Bank, further enhancing its commercial banking and wealth management capabilities in Northeast Ohio [4]. Group 3: Operational Transition - BankFinancial locations will continue to operate under their existing name until the conversion process is completed, expected by June 2026, which will integrate the two banks' products and systems [3]. - Clients of BankFinancial will receive information regarding account conversions in the coming months, while First Financial clients will not be affected by the merger [3]. Group 4: Company Overview - As of September 30, 2025, First Financial Bancorp had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.4 billion in deposits, and $2.6 billion in shareholders' equity [5]. - The company operates 127 full-service banking centers across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, and has a wealth management division with approximately $4.0 billion in assets under management [5].

Core Viewpoint - Gator Capital Management has initiated a new position in First Financial Bancorp, indicating a strategic investment approach focused on patience and balance-sheet considerations rather than immediate market momentum [1][2]. Company Overview - First Financial Bancorp is a regional banking institution with a strong presence in the Midwest, offering a diversified portfolio of lending and deposit services [4][6]. - The company reported a revenue of $884.98 million and a net income of $258.10 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [4]. - The current dividend yield stands at 4%, with shares priced at $25.72 as of the latest report [4]. Investment Position - Gator Capital Management disclosed ownership of 221,920 shares of First Financial Bancorp, valued at approximately $5.60 million, representing about 1.42% of its total U.S. equity assets of $394.37 million [2][3]. - The investment reflects a broader strategy that favors financials and cyclicals, suggesting a long-term view on normalized earnings power despite short-term market distractions [8]. Market Performance - First Financial Bancorp's shares have decreased by approximately 6.5% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500, which has increased by about 15% during the same period [3][7]. - The company has been navigating margin pressures and deposit competition, yet it remains profitable and well-capitalized, with net interest income performing better than expected [7].

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp has received regulatory approval for its acquisition of BankFinancial, with the closing expected around January 1, 2026 [1][7]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition of BankFinancial is an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $142 million as of the merger agreement date in August 2025 [2]. - The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and approval by BankFinancial shareholders [1]. Group 2: Company Overview - First Financial Bancorp is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.4 billion in deposits, and $2.6 billion in shareholders' equity as of September 30, 2025 [3]. - The company operates through six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance, and Wealth Management, with approximately $4.0 billion in assets under management in Wealth Management [3]. - As of September 30, 2025, First Financial operated 127 full-service banking centers across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois [3].

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) is showing potential for a bullish breakout due to a recent "golden cross" in its moving averages, indicating a favorable technical setup for investors [1]. Technical Indicators - FFBC's 50-day simple moving average has crossed above its 200-day simple moving average, forming a "golden cross," which is a bullish signal for traders [1]. - A successful golden cross event consists of three stages: a price decline bottoming out, the shorter moving average crossing above the longer moving average, and the stock maintaining upward momentum [2]. Performance Metrics - Over the past four weeks, FFBC has experienced a gain of 10.9%, suggesting positive market sentiment [3]. - The company currently holds a 2 (Buy) rating on the Zacks Rank, further indicating potential for a breakout [3]. Earnings Expectations - There have been two upward revisions in earnings expectations for the current quarter, with no downward changes in the past 60 days, which supports the bullish outlook [3]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for FFBC has also increased, reinforcing investor confidence in the stock's upward trend [3]. Investment Consideration - Given the significant technical indicator and the positive movement in earnings estimates, FFBC is recommended for inclusion on investors' watchlists [5].

Group 1 - Gator Capital Management reported an 11.30% return in Q3 2025, outperforming broader market and Financials sector benchmarks [1] - The fund highlighted First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) as a notable investment, despite its recent performance showing a -3.33% return over the last month and a 17.89% decline over the past 52 weeks [2] - First Financial Bancorp. has a market capitalization of $2.319 billion and closed at $23.54 per share on November 18, 2025 [2] Group 2 - Gator Capital Management purchased a position in First Financial Bancorp. in September, viewing it as a well-run commercial bank with $18 billion in assets, trading at a cheap valuation [3] - The bank is considered better than average, and small-to-mid cap bank stocks are viewed as attractive investments [3] - First Financial Bancorp. is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 28 hedge fund portfolios holding it at the end of Q2 2025, an increase from 24 in the previous quarter [4]