First Financial Bancorp. (First Financial) closed its previously announced acquisition of Westfield Bancorp, Inc. (Westfield) in a cash and stock transaction, from the Ohio Farmers Insurance Company. Westfield is the holding company and sole shareholder of Westfield Bank, FSB ("Westfield Bank"). With the acquisition of Westfield Bank, First Financial now has $20.6 billion in assets, with a strong Midwest foundation and a wide spectrum of solutions for consumers and businesses.

All Westfield Bank retail locations and its commercial, insurance agency banking and private banking services now join First Financial's existing commercial banking and wealth management presence in Northeast Ohio.

"This is an exciting step in the growth of First Financial, as the addition of Westfield Bank opens new possibilities for growth and profitability for us in an attractive market," said Archie Brown, president and CEO of First Financial. "We can now bring our wide range of solutions in consumer, commercial, specialty lending and wealth management to new clients, while expanding our geographic footprint for our current clients. The First Financial team is thrilled to welcome the Westfield Bank team members to the First Financial family."

Westfield Bank locations will continue to operate under the name "Westfield Bank" until the completion of the conversion process, anticipated in March 2026, which will consolidate the two banks' products, processes and operating systems. Westfield Bank clients will receive detailed information about account conversions in the coming months. Until then, Westfield Bank clients do not need to take any action and can continue to obtain services from their existing Westfield Bank channels. First Financial clients will not be impacted by the merger or the conversion. 

This acquisition continues First Financial's recent growth in the Midwest. In 2023, First Financial added a commercial lending presence in Northeast Ohio. Earlier this year, First Financial announced its agreement to acquire BankFinancial Corporation, the holding company of BankFinancial, National Association, in Chicago, Illinois, expanding its existing commercial banking and other capabilities in that market. First Financial also recently added a commercial banking presence in Grand Rapids, Michigan. These growth areas build upon First Financial's Midwestern foundation, which includes Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Louisville, Kentucky.