First Financial Completes Conversion of Westfield Bank

Cincinnati, OH – March 16, 2026 – First Financial Bank has completed its conversion of Westfield Bank and is now offering consumer banking, commercial banking, specialty banking and wealth management services under the First Financial brand in Northeast Ohio. All retail branches have been rebranded as First Financial Bank as of today, and clients can now begin accessing the wide variety of banking and financial services available from First Financial. Additionally, First Financial has committed $500,000 to its foundation for the benefit of local organizations in the Northeast Ohio communities it will now be serving.

“We welcome all Westfield Bank clients to First Financial Bank, and we are excited to introduce them to our culture of helping our clients and communities thrive,” said Archie Brown, president and chief executive officer of First Financial. “We are eager to help support the growth of consumers and businesses of our new communities with our broad range of financial services.”

First Financial Bank retail locations are now open in Akron at 2923 Smith Rd., Brecksville at 8751 Brecksville Rd., Canton at 4809 Dressler Rd., Cuyahoga Falls at 2875 State Rd., Medina at 4015 Medina Rd., Westfield Center at Two Park Circle and Wooster at 105 E. Liberty St. The conversion process consolidated the two banks’ products, processes and operating systems, and Westfield clients can continue banking as they always have through their local branches. Commercial, wealth management and specialty banking clients will be served by First Financial representatives who can now offer a wider suite of products and services to meet their financial needs. In recent days, First Financial has been reaching out to Westfield Bank clients with detailed information about account conversion.

There are now eight First Financial retail locations in Northeast Ohio, after the Feb. 9 opening of a newly constructed building at 1092 High St. in Wadsworth. First Financial’s recent Midwestern growth also includes its previously established commercial lending offices in downtown Cleveland, Chicago and Grand Rapids, plus its acquisition of BankFinancial in Chicago.

About First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had $22.8 billion in assets, $13.5 billion in loans, $17.9 billion in deposits and $2.9 billion in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $4.1 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2026. The Company operated 153 full service banking centers as of March 31, 2026, located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. In 2025, First Financial Bank received its second consecutive Outstanding rating from the Federal Reserve for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act and was recognized as a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner, one of only 70 Gallup clients worldwide to receive this designation. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition is a network of organizations and individuals dedicated to creating a nation that not only promises but delivers opportunities for all Americans to build wealth and live well. Learn more at ncrc.org.

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Media Contacts

Timothy Condron, Corporate Communications Director
Email: media@bankatfirst.com
Phone: 513.979.5796

Peter Osborne
Email: peter.osborne@keypointpr.com