First Financial Bancorp. Announces the Completion of its Acquisition of Westfield Bancorp, Inc., and Westfield Bank, FSB

Core Insights - First Financial Bancorp has successfully completed the acquisition of Westfield Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary Westfield Bank in a cash and stock transaction, enhancing its asset base to $20.6 billion [1][2][3] 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 [4] - 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 [4] Acquisition Details - The acquisition allows First Financial to expand its geographic footprint and service offerings in Northeast Ohio, integrating Westfield Bank's retail locations and services into its existing operations [2][3] - Westfield Bank will continue to operate under its name until the conversion process is completed, expected in March 2026, which will consolidate products and systems [3] Growth Strategy - This acquisition is part of First Financial's broader growth strategy in the Midwest, which includes recent expansions in Northeast Ohio, Chicago, and Grand Rapids, Michigan [3] - The company aims to leverage its expanded capabilities to enhance profitability and growth opportunities in attractive markets [3]