First Financial completes acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial Corporation

First Financial Bancorp has completed its all-stock acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial Corporation, with the deal closing on January 1, 2026.​

Key transaction details

• The transaction is an all-stock deal valued at approximately 140–142 million dollars.​

• Each BankFinancial common share is being converted into the right to receive 0.480 of a First Financial common share under the merger agreement.​

• Following completion, former BankFinancial shareholders own roughly 6% of First Financial, while legacy First Financial shareholders own about 94%.​

Strategic impact

• The acquisition gives First Financial its first retail, consumer-focused banking locations in the Chicago metro area, expanding beyond its prior primarily commercial presence there.​

• First Financial adds BankFinancial’s core deposit franchise, including 18 financial centers in the Chicago area, plus regional and national commercial loan, lease, and deposit lines of business.​

• On a combined basis, First Financial now has approximately 22 billion dollars in total assets and a broader mix of consumer, commercial, specialty lending, and wealth management services.​

Timing and integration

• Boards and regulators, including the Federal Reserve and the Ohio Department of Financial Institutions, approved the merger, and BankFinancial shareholders gave their approval in December 2025.​

• BankFinancial’s bank subsidiary is being merged into First Financial Bank, with First Financial Bank as the surviving institution.​

• BankFinancial branches will continue to operate under the “BankFinancial” name until system and product conversions are completed, which is expected around June 2026; customers are being told they do not need to take any action until then.​