First Financial Bank is opening its first branch in Chicago in the Fulton Market neighborhood.
“Establishing a physical presence in Chicago is an exciting step for First Financial,” said Archie Brown, First Financial president and CEO, in a press release. “We have already found businesses and business owners to be very interested in the commercial banking expertise and the broad suite of business services we bring to bear on their behalf.”
First Financial recently hired Jeff Steigelman as the new commercial banking regional market president for Chicago and Northwest Indiana. The bank also added new team members.
“Chicago provides a unique opportunity for First Financial given our size and ability to leverage our sophisticated suite of lending, advisory and treasury management services delivered by an experienced team of local bankers,” Steigelman said.
Earlier this year, First Financial acquired assets of Agile Premium Finance, a national insurance premium finance provider based in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Bannockburn Global Forex, a capital markets trading firm and a division of First Financial, has been in the Chicago Loop for several years.
First Financial Bank is a subsidiary of Cincinnati-based First Financial Bancorp. Founded in 1863, First Financial Bank provides banking and financial services products to businesses and retail clients. The company operates 130 full-service banking centers throughout Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky.
