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 Chicago market. We’re thrilled to be adding the BankFinancial retail offices and expanding First Financial’s strong Midwest consumer banking services in Chicago. Both banks share a commitment to customers and service to our communities.

Beginning this spring, you will start to receive communications about the transition of your accounts and services. You'll receive complete details well in advance of when your account(s) are converted. For now, please continue to bank with your BankFinancial accounts as you always have. We hope you take a moment to review this page carefully including the frequently asked questions and Facts about First linked below to learn more about this transition and 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 has received regulatory and shareholder approval and other closing conditions. While we’re excited to have achieved this milestone, please continue to bank with your current BankFinancial branch team, your commercial banker, or your 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 in the coming months.

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 Chicago Metropolitan Area.

Founded in 1863, First Financial is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with 128 financial centers throughout its five-state region of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. The bank has deep roots in the communities it serves and is proud of the many individuals and businesses they’ve helped grow over more than a century. With more than $18.6 billion in assets, the bank is committed to serving the needs of businesses and consumers across its key lines of business: Commercial and Consumer Banking, Wealth Management, and Specialty Banking Services. They offer all the services BankFinancial provides and more! To learn more, explore bankatfirst.com.

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. Your BankFinancial bankers, whom customers work with now, will remain in place to support 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 supports customers now will support you in the future.

The BankFinancial name will be replaced with First Financial Bank brand by mid-2026. Until then, BankFinancial will operate as BankFinancial, A Division of First Financial Bank, and you may see this logo used in select places.

Our teams are working closely to align products and services to ensure a seamless transition. If there are any changes to features, benefits, or how you access your accounts, you will be notified well in advance. As a larger regional bank, First Financial will also introduce additional products and services not currently offered.

First Financial currently does not operate retail branches in Chicago, but does currently offer a commercial banking office in Chicago’s Fulton Market area. We are excited about expanding into the Chicago market and learning about each BankFinancial location.

At this time, no decisions have been made regarding branch changes.

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. If there are some enhancements or differences in your business account, First Financial will notify you well in advance.

Customers will continue to bank as they do today. Please contact the BankFinancial Customer Service Center at 1.800.894.6900 for help with any banking matters.

The terms of your loans, CDs, and other deposit accounts will remain the same. In mid-2026, when First Financial will convert BankFinancial systems onto the First Financial platform, there will be changes to your debit cards and/or checks, but customers will know well in advance. We will be here to help along the way. If there is an impact to your account number, you will receive direct communication.

Yes. Your direct deposit will continue without interruption.

We will communicate updates via email and direct mail using the contact information we have on file for you. Please ensure your contact information is current by updating it through your BankFinancial Online Banking, by visiting your branch, or by contacting Customer Service at 1.800.894.6900.

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

We’re here to help now and going forward. Customers should call the BankFinancial Customer Service Center at 1.800.894.6900 with any questions.

Similar to BankFinancial, First Financial has received an “Outstanding” rating for CRA from banking regulators – the highest rating possible. The bank also earned the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award in 2025, and in 2024, First Financial signed its 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 its footprint. In total, First Financial donated $4.6 million in 2024 to communities throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. This includes more than $2.2 million through the First Financial Foundation. Additionally, First Financial associates logged nearly 15,000 volunteer hours in 2024.

To better serve customers by providing access to more products and services — while keeping the same relationship-focused approach. First Financial chose to partner with BankFinancial to help them continue their legacy of delivering exceptional financial solutions, while maintaining a strong commitment to customer care and service to the community. BankFinancial looks forward to being part of First Financial's continued success as they expand the scope of their financial services to their customers and communities.

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. Note, if you currently have accounts at both BankFinancial and First Financial Bank, your coverage may be impacted depending on your account types and deposit balances. Since BankFinancial and First Financial will be a single FDIC-insured financial institution on January 1, 2026, individuals with accounts at both institutions will have a grace period for FDIC insurance coverage in which their separate accounts will be insured up to the applicable limits to give those impacted enough time to restructure their accounts if needed. The length of the grace period may vary depending on account type. For more information on FDIC insurance, the grace period, or to calculate your specific insurance coverage, please visit the FDIC website at fdic.gov.

In time, you’ll gain access to more banking services, including additional locations in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, and enhanced digital tools—all backed by the same personal service you expect and are accustomed to.