First Financial Bancorp Plans $142M Acquisition to Expand Chicago Presence

First Financial Bancorp, a Cincinnati-based bank holding company, announced an all-stock acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial for approximately $142 million, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. This strategic deal will add 18 retail branches across multiple Chicagoland counties, increasing First Financial's presence in the Chicago market and providing over $2 billion in deposits to support further growth. The acquisition integrates BankFinancial's consumer, trust/wealth management, and selected commercial credit lines into First Financial’s operations, while also absorbing its 198 employees. First Financial CEO Archie Brown highlighted the value of BankFinancial's retail footprint and low-cost deposit base as key drivers for the transaction, aligning with the bank’s broader Midwest expansion strategy. BankFinancial, with a legacy dating back to 1924, expressed confidence in First Financial as the ideal partner to continue delivering customer-focused financial solutions. Analysts view the acquisition favorably, noting it enhances First Financial's growth profile in a major metropolitan market.