First Financial Gets Regulatory Approval for BankFinancial Acquisition

First Financial has obtained regulatory approval from the Federal Reserve and Ohio Department of Financial Institutions to acquire BankFinancial in an all-stock deal valued at $142m. The acquisition will expand First Financial's presence in the Chicagoland area and add commercial lending and financial solutions to its offerings. The transaction is expected to close by January 1, 2026, subject to customary conditions and shareholder approval.