First Financial completes BankFinancial conversion in Chicago area

First Financial Bank (NASDAQ: FFBC) completed the conversion of BankFinancial's operating systems and rebranded all retail branches and ATMs under the First Financial name in the Chicago area.

The conversion allows former BankFinancial clients to access First Financial's consumer banking, commercial banking, specialty banking and wealth management services. The bank now operates 15 retail locations across the Chicagoland area, including branches in Calumet City, Chicago Ridge, Deerfield, Downers Grove, Joliet, Lincoln Park, Lincolnshire, Orland Park and other locations.

First Financial committed $1 million to the First Financial Foundation for organizations in the Chicagoland area served by the bank, according to the company's statement.

"BankFinancial clients who have transitioned to First Financial are learning more about our focus on creating opportunities for our clients and communities to thrive," said Archie Brown, president and CEO of First Financial Bank.

The conversion consolidated products, processes and operating systems from both banks. Former BankFinancial clients can continue banking through their local branches and access expanded services including mortgage lending, commercial banking, wealth management and specialty banking.

The new Chicago area locations expand First Financial's regional presence, adding to existing locations in Northwest Indiana and Northeast Illinois cities including Kankakee, Watseka and Hoopeston. The bank also operates commercial offices in Fulton Market and downtown Chicago.

As of March 31, 2026, First Financial Bancorp had $22.8 billion in assets, $13.5 billion in loans and $17.9 billion in deposits. The Cincinnati-based bank holding company operates 153 full-service banking centers across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Uniti Group (UNIT) 3700 contracts of July 13 calls trade, share up 7%
• Eastern Bankshares to join S&P SmallCap 600 index effective june 22
• Exxon Mobil's head of global trading Tracey Gunnlaugsson is retiring - Reuters