# FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ (FFBC) — merger/definitive [pending]
Source: SEC API (secapi.ai) · situation sit_ca81ed9c76729c9cec1a · retrieved 2026-08-11T16:12:00.965Z

## Overview
First Financial Bancorp. is an Ohio-based bank holding company with a wholly-owned banking subsidiary, First Financial Bank, an Ohio state-chartered bank.

First Financial Bancorp., an Ohio corporation, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Finward Bancorp, an Indiana corporation, on July 21, 2026. Under the merger agreement, each share of Finward common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will be converted into the right to receive 1.35 shares of First Financial Bancorp. common stock. The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals and approval of Finward's shareholders. Finward's wholly owned banking subsidiary, Peoples Bank, is expected to merge with and into First Financial Bank, First Financial Bancorp.'s wholly-owned banking subsidiary.

## Terms
- Counterparty: Finward Bancorp · Consideration: stock

## Key dates
- Announced 2026-07-21 · Expected close 2026-10-31

## Timeline
- 2026-07-21 · 8-K (0001104659-26-085424): 8-K - FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ — *First Financial Bancorp. is an Ohio-based bank holding company with a wholly-owned banking subsidiary, First Financial Bank, an Ohio state-chartered bank.* First Financial Bancorp., an Ohio corporation, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Finward Bancorp, an Indiana corporation, on July 21, 2026. Under the merger agreement, each share of Finward common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will be converted into the right to receive 1.35 shares of First Financial Bancorp. common stock. The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals and approval of Finward's shareholders. Finward's wholly owned banking subsidiary, Peoples Bank, is expected to merge with and into First Financial Bank, First Financial Bancorp.'s wholly-owned banking subsidiary.
  https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/0001104659-26-085424.txt

## Citations
- 0001104659-26-085424 — https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&type=&dateb=&owner=include&count=40&search_text=000110465926085424