Bank Named 2010 Small Business Lender of the Year
Cincinnati,
OH – April
15, 2010--First Financial Bank was recently named the 2010
Small 7(a) Lender of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA).
“It’s
an honor to be recognized by the Small Business Administration,” said
Claude Davis, First Financial’s president and CEO. “As the
economy begins to turn around and businesses begin to rebuild, we will continue
to be a responsible and reliable lending partner for small businesses. Small
business owners play a critical role in our nation’s economic growth
and we are proud to be able to provide them with smart and sensible lending
solutions.”
The national
award is based on First Financial’s loan activity and growth
as a partner with the Small Business Administration.
“First Financial’s hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication
to the community makes them the ideal small business lending partner,” said
Ron Carlson, U.S. Small Business Administration, Cincinnati branch manager. “We
are pleased to recognize their achievements and role in driving our nation’s
economic growth.”
First Financial
Bank will be honored during National Small Business Week taking
place in Washington, D.C., May 23 through 25. For more information about First Financial’s
small business lending solutions, visit www.bankatfirst.com or
call (877) 322-9530.
About First Financial Bank, N.A.
First Financial Bank, N.A., founded in 1863, provides consumer
and commercial banking products and services, and investment
and insurance products through its retail banking center network.
First Financial’s strategic operating markets are located
within Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan where it operates
115 banking centers. First Financial Wealth Resource Group,
the bank’s wealth management division, provides investment
management, traditional trust, brokerage and insurance services,
and had approximately $2.2 billion in assets under management
at December 31, 2009. The bank’s parent company, First
Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC), is a Cincinnati, Ohio based
bank holding company. At December 31, 2009, First Financial
Bancorp had $6.7 billion in assets, including $4.8 billion
in total loans and $5.4 billion in deposits. Additional information
about First Financial, including its products, services, and
banking center locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.
Contact:
Jenny
Irey
513-979-5852 (office)
513-535-6582
(cell)
jennifer.irey@bankatfirst.com
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