First Financial Secures Regulatory Approval for Acquisition of BankFinancial, Closing Expected on January 1, 2026.

First Financial Bancorp. has secured regulatory approval for its acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial Corporation. The transaction, valued at approximately $142 million, is expected to close on or around January 1, 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and shareholder approval. The acquisition will expand First Financial's operations in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, and add $2.5 billion in assets under management.