FFBC
Financial ServicesFirst Financial Bancorp. · Banks - Regional · $3B
What is First Financial Bancorp.?
First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati-based bank holding company serving individuals and businesses across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. Its primary subsidiary, First Financial Bank, delivers a broad range of commercial and consumer banking services through a regional branch network.
First Financial Bancorp. generates revenue primarily through traditional banking activities — accepting deposits and extending credit. The company offers commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial lending, consumer loans, and home equity products. Beyond core banking, it provides trust and wealth management services, lease and equipment financing, and specialized commercial financing for sectors such as insurance, registered investment advisors, and restaurant franchisees. Its 139 full-service banking centers anchor its community-focused model.
Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, First Financial Bancorp. has grown into a mid-sized regional banking franchise across the Midwest.
- Commercial and industrial lending for businesses
- Residential and commercial real estate loans
- Consumer loans including auto and home equity
- Trust and wealth management services
- Lease, equipment, and specialty commercial financing
Is FFBC a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates FFBC as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but mixed profile across its five quality pillars.
FFBC's most notable positive is its Valuation pillar, rated Attractive — suggesting the stock may be priced favorably relative to its fundamentals. Its Quality pillar also earns a Good rating, pointing to reasonable operational discipline for a regional bank of its size.
The Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars all carry Weak ratings, indicating limited competitive differentiation, subdued growth prospects, and elevated risk factors that investors should weigh carefully.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does FFBC pay dividends?
Yes — First Financial Bancorp. pays a dividend.
First Financial Bancorp. pays a regular dividend, consistent with the income-oriented tradition of regional banks. For investors seeking steady income from financial sector holdings, FFBC's dividend cadence is a meaningful consideration. The company's established earnings base from net interest income and fee-based services supports its ability to sustain distributions over time.
When does FFBC report earnings?
First Financial Bancorp. reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed bank holding companies.
Regional banks like FFBC are closely watched each quarter for trends in net interest margin, loan growth, and credit quality. Investors monitor how shifting interest rate environments affect deposit costs and lending spreads across its Midwest footprint.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit First Financial Bancorp.'s investor relations page directly.
FFBC Price History
+38.5% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in First Financial Bancorp.?
Based on First Financial Bancorp.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
FFBC Long-term Outlook
FFBC's Growth and Risk pillars both carry Weak ratings, suggesting the near-term fundamental outlook is cautious. Regional banks face headwinds from competitive deposit pricing, credit normalization, and slower loan demand in certain markets. However, the Attractive Valuation pillar indicates the market may already be pricing in these concerns, which could limit downside for patient investors focused on income.
Growth drivers
- Specialty commercial financing segments serving niche industries
- Wealth management and trust services expanding fee income
- Potential loan growth as Midwest regional economies stabilize
Key risks
- Weak Moat rating signals limited pricing power versus larger banks
- Elevated Risk pillar reflects credit quality and rate sensitivity concerns
- Slower regional economic growth could pressure loan demand
FFBC vs Peers
FFBC competes within the regional banking space alongside several mid-sized peers, each with distinct geographic and strategic profiles.
Simmons First operates primarily across the South-Central US, giving it a different regional economic exposure compared to FFBC's Midwest concentration.
Park National is a smaller Ohio-focused community bank, making it a direct geographic peer to FFBC's core Ohio banking centers.
Bank of Hawaii serves a unique island market with distinct economic drivers, offering a geographically differentiated comparison point for regional bank investors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does First Financial Bancorp. do?
First Financial Bancorp. is the holding company for First Financial Bank, a regional lender serving Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. It offers commercial and consumer loans, deposit accounts, wealth management, and specialty financing through over 130 banking centers.
Does FFBC pay dividends?
Yes, First Financial Bancorp. pays a regular dividend. Regional banks with stable earnings bases commonly return capital to shareholders through dividends, and FFBC has maintained this practice. Check the company's investor relations page for the current dividend rate and payment schedule.
When does FFBC report earnings?
FFBC reports financial results on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed bank holding companies. For the exact date of the next earnings release, refer to First Financial Bancorp.'s investor relations page.
Is FFBC a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates FFBC as Good overall. Its Valuation pillar is Attractive and Quality is Good, but Moat, Growth, and Risk are all Weak. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your income goals and risk tolerance. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is FFBC overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, FFBC is rated Attractive — meaning it does not appear overvalued relative to its fundamentals at current levels. This can be a positive signal for value-oriented or income-focused investors, though it should be considered alongside the Weak Risk and Growth ratings.
How does FFBC compare to its competitors?
FFBC operates in a competitive regional banking landscape alongside peers like Simmons First National, Park National, and Bank of Hawaii. Each has different geographic footprints and business mixes. UQS Pro members can view side-by-side pillar comparisons to assess relative quality across these peers.
What is FFBC's market cap bracket?
First Financial Bancorp. is classified as a mid-cap stock. This places it in a segment of the market that typically offers more liquidity than small-cap banks while remaining more nimble than the largest national banking institutions.
Who founded First Financial Bancorp.?
First Financial Bancorp. was established in 1983 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Detailed founding history and leadership background are publicly available through the company's official website and investor relations materials.
Is FFBC a long-term quality investment?
From a long-term quality perspective, FFBC's Good overall UQS Score reflects a mixed picture. Its Attractive Valuation and Good Quality ratings are positives, but Weak Moat and Growth ratings suggest limited competitive durability and expansion potential over time. Long-term investors should weigh these factors carefully.
What is the main competitive advantage of First Financial Bancorp.?
FFBC's regional presence across four Midwest states and its specialty financing offerings — including lending to insurance firms, investment advisors, and restaurant franchisees — provide some differentiation. However, its UQS Moat pillar is rated Weak, indicating these advantages may not be strongly defensible against larger competitors.
What sector does FFBC belong to?
FFBC operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically as a regional bank holding company. Regional banks are sensitive to interest rate cycles, credit conditions, and local economic trends — all factors reflected in FFBC's UQS pillar profile.
Is FFBC a growth stock or value stock?
Based on its UQS profile, FFBC leans toward the value side. Its Growth pillar is rated Weak, suggesting limited near-term expansion momentum, while its Valuation pillar is Attractive — a combination more consistent with a value or income-oriented investment thesis than a high-growth profile.
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Pro Analysis
FFBC — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 52.2 | 75.2 | 28.0 | 35.4 | 35.9 | 93.2 | -0.1 |
| May 17, 2026 | 52.3 | 75.2 | 28.0 | 35.4 | 35.9 | 93.4 | -4.8 |
| May 2, 2026 | 57.1 | 74.0 | 28.0 | 35.4 | 72.3 | 91.1 | +0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 57.0 | 74.0 | 28.0 | 34.9 | 72.3 | 91.1 | +0.1 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 56.9 | 74.0 | 28.0 | 34.3 | 72.3 | 91.2 | +5.8 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 51.1 | 73.5 | 28.0 | 34.3 | 33.6 | 92.3 | 0.0 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 51.1 | 73.5 | 28.0 | 34.3 | 33.6 | 92.1 | +0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 51.0 | 73.5 | 28.0 | 34.3 | 33.6 | 91.8 | -1.3 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | 52.3 | 73.5 | 28.0 | 34.3 | 33.6 | 100.0 | — |
FFBC — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 75.2/100 (25%)First Financial Bancorp. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 35.4/100 (20%)First Financial Bancorp. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 35.9/100 (15%)First Financial Bancorp. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 93.4/100 (15%)First Financial Bancorp. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 28/100 (25%)First Financial Bancorp. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for FFBC.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the FFBC UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for First Financial Bancorp. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses First Financial Bancorp.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether First Financial Bancorp. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.