welcome, BankFinancial clients

Welcome BankFinancial clients! We’re delighted to welcome you as we join together and expand our commercial and specialty banking businesses in the Chicagoland market. We’re thrilled to be adding the BankFinancial retail offices and expand First Financial’s strong Midwest consumer banking services in Chicago. Both banks share a commitment to customers and service to our communities.

Over the coming months we’ll share more details, but for now please continue to access your BankFinancial accounts as you always have. This site includes additional information about First Financial and what to expect in the coming months. We hope you take a moment to review the frequently asked questions and Facts about First linked below to learn more about this transaction and more about First Financial. All of us at First Financial look forward to meeting you.

Archie Brown, president & CEO

First Financial Bank

Facts about First

Investor Relations - more than a century of strength

Press release

About us

An expanded footprint to serve you

You will soon have access to 128 banking centers in Ohio, Indiana Illinois, Kentucky and Michigan with access to more than 55,000+ ATMs across the country.

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If you have questions, please continue to reach out to your local banker, a BankFinancial banking center or call the call center at 800.894.6900.

Frequently asked questions

The agreement to join together is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval and other closing conditions. We anticipate the closing will happen in late 2025. Until the closing everything stays the same. You will continue to bank with your current BankFinancial branch team, your commercial banker or trust and wealth management representative. First Financial is excited to be expanding in the Chicago Metropolitan Area. We’re also excited to share with you information on new products and services which will be available after we complete the transition.

First Financial is a strong, regional banking leader in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan and now First Financial is making a major expansion into the Chicagoland market.

Founded in 1863, First Financial is headquartered in Cincinnati Ohio with 128 financial centers throughout their five-state region of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. The bank has deep roots in the communities they serve and is proud of the many individuals and businesses they’ve helped grow over more than a century. With more than $18.5 billion in assets the bank is committed to serving the needs of business and consumers across its key lines of business: Commercial and Consumer Banking, Wealth Management, and Specialty Banking Services. First Financial offers all the services BankFinancial provides and more! 

The combined organization of First Financial Bank will continue to be led by its existing Cincinnati-based executive management and Board of Directors. The First Financial Bank leadership team will begin working with the BankFinancial leadership team over the coming weeks. First Financial will share the regional leadership structure for the bank in the coming months. Our BankFinancial bankers, whom customers work with now, will remain in place to support our customers now and going forward. Both organizations know that the highest quality customer service is a priority, and First Financial is making sure the same team that support customers now will support you in the future. 

The BankFinancial name will be replaced with the First Financial Bank brand by mid-2026.

The BankFinancial team will begin working closely with the First Financial team in the coming months to understand any differences in products and services. If there are some changes in the features and benefits of our products or how customers access them, we’ll make sure customers are aware of them well in advance. And, as a significantly larger regional bank, First Financial has some new products and services that we do not currently offer. 

First Financial does not have any branch locations in Chicago. First Finanical is looking forward to visiting the BankFinancial branches and learning about the market and each individual location. At that point, First Financial will be able to confirm if any BankFinancial locations will be impacted. 

Customers will continue to bank as they do today, including accessing accounts online and through our other customer service channels. As we move into next year, First Financial will be sharing some exciting new products and services that First Financial offers, and if there are some enhancements or differences in your business account, First Financial will notify you well in advance. 

You will continue to bank as you do today. Please contact BankFinancial as you normally would for help with any banking matters.

The terms of your loans, CDs and other deposit accounts will remain the same. In 2026, when First Financial will convert BankFinancial's systems onto the First Financial platform, there may be some changes to things like your debit card or checks, but you will know well in advance and there will not be any disruptions in how you access your accounts. First Financial will be here to help along the way. 

BankFinancial and First Financial will continue to update you through email and direct mail to your homes and businesses. Any changes will be communicated well in advance. 

Eventually BankFinancial customers will be able to access their BankFinancial accounts at First Financial branches, but that will not occur until mid-2026.

We’re here to help now and going forward. Please call your current banker, the BankFinancial Call Center or visit a local branch for any questions. 

Similar to BankFinancial, First Financial has received an “Outstanding” rating for CRA from the banking regulators – the highest rating possible.

First Financial won the prestigious Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award in 2025. Out of the thousands of organizations Gallup works with, First Financial is one of 70 to win this award this year.

In 2024, First Financial signed our second Community Benefits Agreement with the National Community Investment Coalition. The 5-year agreement includes $2.5 billion in investments to support the needs of communities throughout our footprint.

BankFinancial is being accaured to better serve our customers by gaining access to more products, services and geopgraphic reach—while keeping the same relationship-focused approach. 

No, your accounts, cards, and online banking access reamin the same for now—no action is needed. We'll notify you in advance of any future changes. 

Yes, your local team remains in place and is here to support you. 

Yes, your deposits remain fully FDIC insured up to the applicable limits. 

In time, you'll gain access to more banking services, additional locations, and enhanced digital tools—all backed by the same personal service.