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We combine world-class financial expertise with personal community service
that builds lifelong relationships. That's what makes your banker, your trusted partner.
Claude E. Davis
Executive ChairmanClaude is currently the Executive Chairman of First Financial Bancorp and First Financial Bank. He previously served as CEO from October 2004 to April 2018. Under his leadership as CEO, the Bank more than quadrupled in size, as well as entered new markets including Dayton, Columbus, Ohio, Indianapolis and Louisville. Claude’s extensive financial background and years of experience in the banking industry, along with his involvement in other boards and organizations, provides the necessary leadership to guide the business and provide insight on important societal and economic issues relevant to the industry and markets the Bank serves.
Archie M. Brown, Jr.
President & Chief Executive OfficerArchie is currently the President and CEO of First Financial Bancorp and First Financial Bank, and was appointed to this role on April 1, 2018. Previously, he served as the President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of MainSource Financial Group, Inc., during which time he led the company to significant growth. Archie’s extensive experience spans 34 years in the banking industry, where he had led or overseen finance and balance sheet management, risk and regulatory management, investor relations, business line management, and bank acquisitions and integrations.
Anthony M. Stollings
Chief Banking OfficerTony is currently Chief Banking Officer and leads collaboration and the daily support of the commercial & private banking, wealth management, retail banking, commercial real estate and mortgage business lines. Previously Tony was President and Chief Operating Officer and was responsible for critical support functions including finance, legal, risk, compliance, information technology, operations and facilities.
Jamie Anderson
Chief Financial OfficerJamie is currently the CFO of First Financial Bancorp and First Financial Bank. He is responsible for the finance, accounting, treasury and investor relations. Previously Jamie served as CFO at MainSource Financial Group, Inc. and prior to holding that position was Administrative Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer.
Karen Woods
General CounselKaren is currently the General Counsel of First Financial Bancorp and First Financial Bank. She previously served as the Executive Vice President, Corporate Counsel and Chief Risk Officer of MainSource Financial Group, Inc. Karen has over 20 years of experience practicing law including representing financial institutions and corporate clients in general corporate, regulatory, securities, merger and acquisition and capital transactions.
John Gavigan
Chief Administrative OfficerJohn is currently the Chief Administrative Officer of First Financial Bancorp and First Financial Bank. He is responsible for the Company’s Operations, Information Technology, Talent Management, and Facilities and Project Management functions. From December 2014 through March 2018, John served as the Chief Financial Officer of First Financial Bancorp and First Financial Bank and was responsible for the Finance, Accounting, Treasury and Investor Relations areas. John also served as Corporate Controller from 2011 through 2014, as well as Assistant Controller from 2008 through 2011.
Bill Harrod
Chief Credit OfficerBill currently is the Chief Credit Officer of First Financial Bank. He is responsible for managing and monitoring the loan portfolio and other related credit functions in a risk appropriate manner including underwriting, approval and collections. Bill first joined the Bank in 2015 and has held various credit and management positions since then in specialty banking, corporate banking, commercial and industrial lending, and commercial finance.
Rick Dennen
President of Commercial FinanceRick currently oversees First Financial's national lending business: First Franchise Capital and Oak Street Funding. First Franchise Capital provides numerous financial solutions for quick-service restaurant franchisees, while Oak Street Funding provides funding, lending, and servicing to insurance agents, brokers, registered investment advisers and certified public accountants.
For more than 150 years, one thing has remained the same -
our continued commitment to helping individuals and businesses on their path to success.
HISTORY TIMELINE
1863
OUR BEGINNINGThe National Banking Act was passed by Congress and it paved the way for a more consistent National Banking System - even in the midst of the Civil War.
Our bank opened in Hamilton, Ohio, as First National Bank of Hamilton on August 15, 1863 with a strong commitment to putting our clients first and helping them achieve financial and life goals. The office was located in a room at 239 High Street.
First National Bank of Hamilton is one of the first banks to organize under the new National Bank Act with Charter No. 56 – which gives us the distinction today as being the 6th oldest national bank in the United States.
A year later, the bank moved down the street to the Hamilton House block at the northwest corner of Second and High Streets in Hamilton.
1887
MOVING DAYWe moved into the corner of this building at Third and High Streets in Hamilton.
This was our home for 36 years, until the building was razed in 1928 and operations moved temporarily to an office building on N. Third Street.
1923
FIRST NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF HAMILTONIn May, the bank’s name was changed to The First National Bank and Trust Company of Hamilton when the Trust Division was created.
The trust department was established when federal banking laws were amended to permit banks to act as executors, receivers for insolvent business houses, managers of real estate and negotiators of securities.
1930
PROUD TO SERVE HAMILTONAugust 30th is the day we opened our doors to clients at our new eight-story building on the corner of Third and High Streets in Hamilton.
According to records, construction of the new building was completed at a “cost not to exceed $550,000.”
1935
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF HAMILTON BANKNOTESFirst National Bank of Hamilton issued its own currency in the form of national bank notes.
These notes are still considered legal tender and the remaining bills are prized by collectors. A few are even on display at the bank!
1938
CELEBRATING 75 YEARSHappy 75th Birthday!
We didn’t want to just celebrate our birthday, in honor of this milestone; we celebrated with others who were born in 1863.
1963
CELEBRATING 100 YEARSIt’s the 100th anniversary of the passage of the National Bank Act and the 100th anniversary of the establishment of First National Bank of Hamilton.
In honor of the yearlong celebration we offered to deposit $10 into a bank account to the first 100 babies born in Hamilton and Oxford hospitals.
1980
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SOUTHWESTERN OHIOFirst National Bank of Southwestern Ohio was formed in July, by the consolidation of The First National Bank and Trust Company of Hamilton and First National Bank of Middletown.
The merger combined the solid foundations both banks built from making numerous acquisitions of smaller financial institutions in Hamilton, Middletown, Monroe, Oxford and Seven Mile in Ohio.
1983
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORPFirst Financial Bancorp, a holding company, was formed. First Financial Bancorp started as a $2.6 billion company with 15 affiliates operating 106 banking centers in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.
2000
FIRST SOUTHWESTERN MERGES WITH HOME FEDERAL BANKFirst Southwestern continued to grow, expanding with several banks and offices in Camden, Lewisburg, Mason and Landen, operating full-service retail banking centers in Butler, Preble, Warren, and Hamilton counties as well as within local retirement communities.
In July, First Southwestern merged operations with Home Federal Bank, a sister affiliate of First Financial Bancorp.
This merger solidified the market share First Southwestern enjoyed within many major cities of Butler County, Ohio.
2002
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORPIn July, a consolidation of First National Bank of Southwestern Ohio and Hebron Deposit Bank occurred.
Hebron, again, was another sister affiliate of First Financial Bancorp. The merged entity became First Financial Bank, a regional bank serving Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
2004
WELCOME, CLAUDE DAVISClaude E. Davis is the new president and chief executive officer.
Under his direction, a new era begins. After studying the company’s culture and history, in 2005, he introduced a new strategic plan outlining the bank’s mission, vision and growth strategy.
2006
ANOTHER STEP ON THE PATH TO SUCCESSAll regions are now unified under one name, First Financial Bank, with a new logo, a new client-centered brand and a new tagline of “another step on the path to success.”
Along with new brand standards, First Financial adopted a consistent approach to products, facilities, and client service expectations.
As the company grew, a new market was established in Dayton, Ohio. At the end of 2006, assets were $3.3 billion.
2007
WELCOME, TO OUR NEW BANKING CENTERA new banking center prototype is developed. This new banking center fully incorporates the new brand and client experience.
Corporate headquarters were moved from Hamilton, Ohio to a new space just north of Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.
2008
WELCOME, TO INDIANAPOLISFirst Financial expands its footprint with the addition of Indianapolis, Indiana as a new market.
The first prototype banking center opened in Crown Point, Indiana.
Also, as growth continues, a new banking center and office complex are opened in Kettering, Ohio.
2009
GROWTH CONTINUESMore prototype banking centers are opened in Madeira and St. Marys, Ohio and Edgewood, Kentucky.
Growth by acquisition added 30 more banking centers in our core operating markets of Greater Cincinnati and Central Indiana.
Corporate headquarters relocated to a temporary space in Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.
2010
GROWTH CONTINUESThe bank maintained high capital ratios that ranked among industry leaders.
Plans were announced for a new regional hub in Columbus, Indiana.
New prototype banking centers are opened in Shelbyville, Indiana and Indianapolis, Indiana.
Our business model is realigned from a regional approach to strategic business lines – commercial, retail/small business and wealth management.
2011
NEW CORPORATE OFFICES OPENOur Corporate Headquarters officially moved to 255 E. Fifth Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. The building is renamed First Financial Center.
Our new Corporate Administration Center in Springdale, Ohio opened. This new office provides working space for 400 associates from various disciplines across our footprint.
New prototype banking centers opened in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and on the main floor inside our Corporate Administration Center.
Acquisitions expanded our banking center presence in Greater Dayton, Ohio, Indianapolis, Indiana and other key areas in Indiana.
2012
GOING MOBILEClients can now enjoy banking on the go with the launch of our new mobile banking app and new money management tools including Ping Pay and Panorama.
Six new prototype banking centers opened in Anderson, Kenwood, Montgomery and downtown Cincinnati in Ohio, Hessville in NW Indiana and Columbus in southern Indiana.
A new associate training and development center was also opened at our Downtown Hamilton, Ohio office.
2013
CELEBRATING 150 YEARSHappy 150th Birthday!
It’s a year of celebration as we said, "Thank You", to our clients, associates, shareholders and the communities we serve.
As the 6th oldest national bank in the United States, we’re proud to serve our clients today and tomorrow, on their path to success.
2014
WELCOME, TO COLUMBUSOur footprint continued to expand into Central Ohio as a new market is established in Columbus.
Five banking centers are opened in Bexley, Westerville, Worthington, and Upper Arlington.
2015
25 YEARS OF SUCCESSAt the end of the third quarter, First Financial hit a major milestone, 100 quarters, or 25 years, of consecutive profitability. It’s because of our clients, associates and community involvement and support that this was possible.
Also, a new regional hub and downtown banking center opened in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The banking center is located on the first floor of the newly named First Financial Center at the Anthony Wayne Building, across the street from the historic Allen County Courthouse in Downtown Fort Wayne. In addition to the first-floor banking center, the sixth floor houses local leadership, commercial and mortgage teams.
A new prototype banking center was also opened in Bloomington, Indiana and, the first prototype banking center opened in the Indianapolis, Indiana market in Avon.
2017
GROWTH CONTINUESFirst Financial Bancorp and MainSource Financial Group announced their agreement to form a new, preeminent community bank in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
The merger combines two high-performing Midwest community banks to create a $13 billion institution with scale and strength in commercial and retail banking, wealth management and specialty finance.
The companies’ mutual understanding of markets, shared credit culture and common banking approach create an excellent fit for both organizations.
Claude E Davis will transition into the role of Executive Chairman and Archie M. Brown, Jr. will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the merged entity at the close of the merger.
The new combined company will operate as First Financial Bank and will be headquartered in Cincinnati, OH.
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First Financial Bank has been in the business of client service and success for more than 150 years.
With more than 150 banking centers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois we combine world-class financial expertise with personal community service that builds lifelong relationships.
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