Cincinnati-based First Financial Bancorp. completed its acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial Corp. Jan. 1.
The move expands First Financial’s presence in the Chicago market with its first retail consumer-focused locations.
First Financial adds BankFinancial’s deposit franchise, with 18 financial centers in the area, plus its regional and national commercial loan, lease and deposit lines of business. With the completion of the acquisition, First Financial will offer a broader range of consumer, commercial, specialty lending and wealth management services.
“Expanding our presence in Chicago presents us with significant opportunities for growth and profitability because of the many solutions we can bring to new and existing clients in this market,” said Archie Brown, First Financial Bank president and CEO, in a press release. “First Financial exists to create opportunities to help our clients and communities thrive, and we look forward to the impact we can have with this approach in Chicago.”
BankFinancial locations will continue to operate under the name BankFinancial until the completion of the conversion process, anticipated in June 2026, which will consolidate the two banks’ products, processes and operating systems.
The acquisition continues First Financial’s recent growth in the Midwest. The bank now operates locations across Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky.
