First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: $2.33B
• Dividend Yield: 4.12%
• Average Volume (3M): 491.11K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 8.8
• Beta (1Y): 0.87
• Revenue Growth: 5.15%
• EPS Growth: 16.42%
• Country: US
• Employees: 2,021
• Sector: Financial
• Sector Strength: 70
• Industry: Banks - Regional
• EPS (TTM): 0.75
• Shares Outstanding: 98,529,690
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 503,998
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 491,105
• PEG Ratio: -1.01
• Price to Book (P/B): 1.04
• Price to Sales (P/S): 2.07
• P/FCF Ratio: 10.53
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: 1.34
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: 2.45
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: 3.74
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: 9.18
• 1Y Price Target: $29.50
• Price Target Upside: 22.76% Upside
• Rating Consensus: Moderate Buy
• Number of Analyst Covering: 5
• EPS Forecast (FY): 2.55
• Revenue Forecast (FY): $895.92M

• Rating: 72 Outperform
• Price Target: $26.00 ▲(8.20% Upside)

First Financial Bancorp's strong financial performance and positive earnings call outlook are significant strengths, contributing to a high score. However, technical analysis indicates bearish momentum, which tempers the overall score. The stock's attractive valuation further supports its investment potential.

First Financial Bancorp Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

First Financial Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for First Financial Bank that provides commercial banking and related services to individuals and businesses in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. The company accepts various deposit products, such as interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing accounts, time deposits, and cash management services for commercial customers. It also provides real estate loans secured by residential property, such as one to four family residential housing units or commercial property comprising owner-occupied and/or investor income producing real estate consisting of apartments, shopping centers, or office buildings; commercial and industrial loans for various purposes, including inventory, receivables, and equipment; consumer loans comprising new and used vehicle loans, second mortgages on residential real estate, and unsecured loans; and home equity lines of credit. In addition, the company offers commercial financing to the insurance industry, registered investment advisors, certified public accountants, indirect auto finance companies, and restaurant franchisees. Further, it provides a range of trust and wealth management services; and lease and equipment financing services. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated 139 full service banking centers, 29 of which are leased facilities. It operates 62 banking centers in Ohio, three banking centers in Illinois, 62 banking centers in Indiana, and 12 banking centers in Kentucky. First Financial Bancorp. was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.

How the Company Makes Money

First Financial Bancorp generates revenue primarily through interest income from loans and investments, as well as non-interest income from fees and service charges. The bank provides various types of loans, including commercial, consumer, and real estate loans, which yield interest payments that contribute significantly to its earnings. Additionally, FFBC earns revenue from deposits and asset management services, including wealth management products and advisory services. The bank also generates non-interest income through transaction fees, service charges on deposit accounts, and other financial services. Partnerships with local businesses and institutions further enhance its customer base and revenue opportunities, as do its efforts in expanding online and digital banking services, which attract a broader audience.

First Financial Bancorp Financial Statement Overview

Summary

First Financial Bancorp demonstrates solid profitability with strong margins and a stable balance sheet. However, challenges in revenue growth and cash flow liquidity slightly dampen the overall financial performance.

Income Statement

First Financial Bancorp has shown strong profitability with a consistent gross profit margin above 64% and a net profit margin around 19% in the TTM. However, the revenue growth rate has recently declined by 2.1%, indicating potential challenges in revenue generation. The EBIT and EBITDA margins remain healthy, reflecting efficient operational management.

Balance Sheet

The company maintains a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40 in the TTM, which is a positive sign of financial stability. Return on equity is solid at 9.6%, indicating effective use of equity capital. However, the equity ratio is not explicitly provided, which limits a full assessment of asset financing.

Cash Flow

Operating cash flow to net income ratio is relatively low at 0.42, suggesting potential liquidity constraints. Free cash flow growth is modest at 2.6%, and the free cash flow to net income ratio is strong at 0.93, indicating good cash conversion from profits. However, the overall cash flow position could be more robust.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021	Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue	1.27B	1.23B	1.12B	774.65M	654.72M	714.09M
Gross Profit	833.31M	787.92M	797.09M	697.07M	641.75M	575.08M
EBITDA	339.32M	306.74M	356.39M	280.53M	280.49M	225.65M
Net Income	243.41M	228.83M	255.86M	217.61M	205.16M	155.81M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	18.55B	18.57B	17.53B	17.00B	16.33B	15.97B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	3.60B	3.36B	4.03B	4.01B	4.64B	3.68B
Total Debt	771.82M	1.10B	1.28B	1.63B	706.03M	507.81M
Total Liabilities	15.92B	16.13B	15.26B	14.96B	14.07B	13.69B
Stockholders Equity	2.63B	2.44B	2.27B	2.04B	2.26B	2.28B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	282.77M	241.08M	462.83M	187.07M	372.82M	91.90M
Operating Cash Flow	289.77M	262.16M	486.97M	200.85M	388.16M	108.36M
Investing Cash Flow	-359.31M	-1.00B	-701.26M	-883.11M	-510.03M	-1.20B
Financing Cash Flow	53.58M	699.08M	219.85M	669.73M	110.85M	1.13B

First Financial Bancorp Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Negative
• Last Price: 24.03
• 50DMA: Negative
• 100DMA: Negative
• 200DMA: Negative
• MACD: Negative
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Neutral

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FFBC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 24.03 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 24.08, below the 50-day MA of 25.15, and below the 200-day MA of 24.69, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.40 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 46.15 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 59.90 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for FFBC.

First Financial Bancorp Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
PFS	74 Outperform	$2.39B	9.31	9.51%	5.19%	38.35%	89.73%
FFBC	72 Outperform	$2.33B	8.76	10.16%	4.12%	5.15%	16.42%
FRME	68 Neutral	$2.06B	8.92	9.90%	3.98%	-1.76%	32.44%
BANC	68 Neutral	$2.69B	16.60	5.99%	2.34%	20.61%	―
TRMK	68 Neutral	$2.31B	10.45	10.87%	2.50%	17.95%	―
WAFD	68 Neutral	$2.36B	11.39	7.49%	3.54%	-1.58%	6.34%
Sector *	68 Neutral	$18.00B	11.42	9.92%	3.81%	9.73%	1.22%

First Financial Bancorp Corporate Events

First Financial Bancorp Highlights Q3 2025 Performance

First Financial Bancorp presented its fixed income investor presentation for the third quarter of 2025, highlighting its robust financial performance and strategic positioning. The company emphasized its sustainable business model, strong capital position, and prudent risk management, which have contributed to its consistent profitability and growth over the years. The presentation also noted the company’s strategic focus on local banking and diverse fee streams, positioning it as an alternative to larger banks.

The most recent analyst rating on (FFBC) stock is a Buy with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Financial Bancorp stock, see the FFBC Stock Forecast page.

First Financial Bancorp Completes Westfield Bancorp Acquisition

On November 1, 2025, First Financial Bancorp completed its acquisition of Westfield Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary, Westfield Bank, FSB, in a transaction valued at $325 million. This strategic acquisition, which includes a mix of cash and stock, expands First Financial’s footprint in the Midwest, adding to its existing operations in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. The acquisition is expected to enhance First Financial’s growth and profitability by integrating Westfield Bank’s retail and commercial services into its operations. The merger will not immediately affect Westfield Bank clients, as the conversion process is anticipated to complete by March 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (FFBC) stock is a Buy with a $28.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Financial Bancorp stock, see the FFBC Stock Forecast page.

First Financial Bancorp Reports Record Revenue in Q3 2025

First Financial Bancorp’s recent earnings call conveyed a generally positive sentiment, highlighting record revenue and stable asset quality. Despite facing challenges such as a decline in loan balances and increased noninterest expenses, the company’s strong financial metrics and efficiency improvements underscore a robust performance. The anticipated integration of pending acquisitions is expected to further enhance efficiencies and growth.

First Financial Bancorp Gains Approval for Westfield Merger

On October 10, 2025, First Financial Bancorp received regulatory approval for the merger of Westfield Bank into its subsidiary, First Financial Bank. This merger is part of a previously announced acquisition of Westfield Bancorp, Inc., expected to close on November 1, 2025, and is anticipated to enhance the company’s market position.

The most recent analyst rating on (FFBC) stock is a Buy with a $29.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Financial Bancorp stock, see the FFBC Stock Forecast page.

First Financial Bancorp Highlights Strong Financial Performance

First Financial Bancorp has announced its intention to use materials from an investor presentation in meetings with investors and analysts. The company highlights its strong financial performance, robust capital position, and strategic focus on growing core deposits and diversifying revenue streams. The announcement underscores First Financial’s commitment to maintaining its top quartile performance and prudent risk management, which are crucial for its continued success in the financial industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (FFBC) stock is a Buy with a $31.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Financial Bancorp stock, see the FFBC Stock Forecast page.

First Financial Bancorp to Acquire BankFinancial

On August 11, 2025, First Financial Bancorp announced its agreement to acquire BankFinancial Corporation, expanding its presence in the Chicago market. The acquisition, valued at approximately $142 million, will be an all-stock transaction and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. This strategic move will add 18 retail locations to First Financial’s portfolio, enhance its commercial banking capabilities, and integrate BankFinancial’s consumer, trust/wealth management, and selected commercial credit lines into its operations. The merger aims to strengthen First Financial’s market position and provide a broader range of financial solutions to Chicago clients.

The most recent analyst rating on (FFBC) stock is a Buy with a $33.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on First Financial Bancorp stock, see the FFBC Stock Forecast page.