First Financial Bank and National Community Reinvestment Coalition Announce $104 Million in Community Development Goals for Northeast Ohio

Medina, OH – May 4, 2026 – First Financial Bank (Nasdaq: FFBC), which has expanded its presence in Northeast Ohio following its recent acquisition of Westfield Bank, has collaborated with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) to develop $104.8 million in community development goals for low- and moderate-income (LMI) clients and census tracts in the area. These goals build upon First Financial’s existing five-year $2.4 billion Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) for its total service area, which continues through 2028.

“At First Financial we truly believe that we are improving lives through our commitment to helping our clients and communities thrive,” said Archie Brown, president and CEO of First Financial. “We are enthusiastic in extending the reach and positive impact of our CBA so that we can become a valued financial partner for the new neighbors and communities we now serve.”

["First Financial has once again demonstrated what it looks like to be a true community partner," said Jesse Van Tol, president and CEO of NCRC. "These addendums reflect a serious commitment to ensuring that as First Financial grows in Ohio and into the Chicagoland area, the communities in those new markets — particularly those that have been historically underserved — will benefit from that growth in concrete, meaningful ways."

First Financial’s goals for Northeast Ohio under its amended CBA include:

• $9 million in mortgage lending through the use of products providing greater access to LMI communities and borrowers, an intentional effort in rural communities, providing access to community development mortgage loan officers and making available small-dollar mortgages and home improvement loans,
• $50 million in small business lending in LMI communities through support of small business development corporations and business incubators, and through the issuance of microloans,
• $45 million in community development lending and investments in affordable housing, community services, revitalization and stabilization, and projects that create permanent jobs, which benefit LMI areas,
• $750,000 in philanthropy, targeting donations to organizations that create and preserve affordable housing and workforce development, plus those that provide housing counseling and promote financial and economic inclusion,
• $60,000 in marketing and communications to benefit clients and communities in LMI and majority-minority census tracts.
• First Financial has also committed to open a new branch located in an LMI area to better serve the community.

“We are bringing the same community-first approach to Northeast Ohio that has been the hallmark of First Financial Bank for years,” said Roddell McCullough, chief corporate responsibility officer for First Financial. “This is an ambitious plan, and we’re excited to be collaborating with our community partners to bring these ideas to life.”

First Financial’s commitment to the community is further demonstrated by its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act, in which the bank has earned the highest possible rating of Outstanding for two consecutive review periods. This is an accomplishment only achieved by a small number of banks. The ratings have come as the result of broad evaluations of First Financial’s lending, investment and service levels over multiple years. 

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