Key Takeaways Bank7 boosted its dividend by 12.5% to $0.27 per share, marking the sixth raise in five years.Unity Bancorp lifted its payout by 7.1% to $0.15, with sales and earnings growth expected in 2025.BayCom raised its dividend by 25% to $0.25 per share, its fourth increase in five years.After almost two months of impressive performance since mid-June, equity markets have been witnessing volatility in August amid tariff policy implementation and inflationary pressure. With volatility returning to the U ...

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp has announced an agreement to acquire BankFinancial in an all-stock transaction, enhancing its presence in the Chicago market and expanding its core deposit franchise [1][7]. Company Overview - First Financial Bancorp, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, has $18.6 billion in assets, $11.8 billion in loans, and $14.4 billion in deposits as of June 30, 2025 [8]. - BankFinancial, with over 100 years of experience in commercial lending, operates 18 full-service banking offices in the greater Chicago area [9]. Transaction Details - The acquisition will convert each outstanding share of BankFinancial common stock into 0.48 shares of First Financial common stock, valuing the transaction at approximately $142 million based on First Financial's stock price on August 8, 2025 [4]. - The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approvals and BankFinancial shareholders' approval [5]. Strategic Rationale - The acquisition will allow First Financial to add consumer banking and lending solutions to its existing commercial services, supporting its Midwest growth strategy [2]. - The addition of BankFinancial's 18 retail locations will complement First Financial's existing operations in the Chicago area, which includes a commercial loan production office and other financial services [3][7]. Employee Integration - All BankFinancial employees will transition to become associates of First Financial upon the completion of the transaction [4][7].

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2025, with significant increases in net income, revenue, and profitability metrics compared to previous periods [2][5][7]. Financial Performance - For the three months ended June 30, 2025, the company reported net income of $70.0 million, or $0.73 per diluted common share, compared to $51.3 million, or $0.54 per diluted common share in the first quarter of 2025 [2][17]. - The company achieved record revenue of $226.3 million, representing a 5% increase over the same quarter one year ago [5]. - Adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter were $0.74, with a return on average assets of 1.52% and a return on average tangible common equity of 19.61% [7][19]. Asset Quality and Loan Growth - Asset quality remained stable, with net charge-offs declining to 0.21% of total loans, a 15 basis point decrease from the first quarter [5][8]. - Loan growth was reported at 2% on an annualized basis, with broad-based growth in most portfolios, except for commercial real estate [5][8]. Noninterest Income and Expenses - Adjusted noninterest income for the second quarter was $67.8 million, an 11% increase over the linked quarter and a 10% increase over the second quarter of 2024 [5][8]. - Noninterest expenses increased by 1% compared to the first quarter, with adjusted noninterest expenses rising by less than 2% year over year [5][8]. Capital and Dividends - The company’s tangible common equity ratio increased to 8.40%, with tangible book value per share rising to $15.40, a 4% increase from the linked quarter [5][8]. - The Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per common share, reflecting a 4.2% increase [4][5]. Future Outlook - The company is optimistic about future loan growth in the second half of 2025 and is actively engaged in the integration process following the announcement of the acquisition of Westfield Bank [5][8].

Group 1 - First Financial Bancorp. will release its second quarter 2025 financial results on July 24, 2025, after market close [1] - A teleconference and webcast to discuss the financial results will take place on July 25, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time [1] - The company had $18.5 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.2 billion in deposits, and $2.5 billion in shareholders' equity as of March 31, 2025 [2] Group 2 - First Financial Bancorp. operates through six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance, and Wealth Management [2] - The Wealth Management division had approximately $3.7 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025 [2] - The company operated 127 full-service banking centers across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois as of March 31, 2025 [2]

Group 1: PVH - PVH specializes in designing and marketing branded dress shirts, neckwear, sportswear, jeanswear, intimate apparel, swim products, footwear, handbags, and related products [1] - PVH has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increase by 8.3% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 6.66, significantly lower than the industry average of 14.30, and possesses a Value Score of A [2] Group 2: Popular - Popular offers a comprehensive suite of banking and financial services, including retail and commercial banking, auto and equipment leasing and financing, mortgage loans, insurance, investment banking, and broker-dealer services [3] - Popular has a Zacks Rank of 1 and has experienced a 4.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 9.82, which is lower than the industry average of 10.70, and also possesses a Value Score of A [4] Group 3: Maximus - Maximus operates government health and human services programs globally [4] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increase by 6.7% over the last 60 days [4] - Maximus has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 11.18, compared to the industry average of 18.00, and has a Value Score of A [4]

Core Insights - Three stocks are highlighted with strong income characteristics and a buy rank for investors to consider on May 5 Group 1: Euroseas Ltd. (ESEA) - Euroseas Ltd. is an ocean-going transportation services company with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 8% over the last 60 days [1] - The company offers a dividend yield of 8%, significantly higher than the industry average of 2.5% [1] Group 2: NatWest Group plc (NWG) - NatWest Group plc is a banking and financial services company with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 5.6% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a dividend yield of 5.9%, compared to the industry average of 3.7% [2] Group 3: Ultrapar Participaçoes S.A. (UGP) - Ultrapar Participaçoes S.A. is a distributor of liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, ethanol, diesel, fuel oil, and kerosene with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 6.5% over the last 60 days [3] - The company offers a dividend yield of 4.4%, slightly above the industry average of 4.3% [3]