---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000708955-26-000155"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FFBC"
cik: "0000708955"
company_name: "FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/"
filed_at: "2026-09-15T20:34:08+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-09-15T20:35:09.787726+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.55
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# First Financial promotes Anderson to President, Neeley to Chief Banking Officer, Myers to COO

## Summary
- James Anderson (55) named President effective 9/14/2026, retains CFO; previously also COO. Archie Brown remains CEO.
- Amanda Neeley appointed Chief Banking Officer; Malcolm Myers appointed COO; expanded roles for Reckman and Woods in commercial/credit.
- One-time restricted stock grants: Brown $3.0M (91,632 sh), Anderson $1.5M (45,816), Neeley $1.0M (30,544), Woods $500K (15,272), Myers $250K (7,636) at $32.74.
- Salaries raised: Anderson to $640K (+4.9%), Woods and Neeley to $500K (+5.3%); STIP/LTIP targets increased for Anderson and Neeley.
- New employment agreement for Brown (3x base salary severance); amended CIC agreements give Anderson/Woods 30-month severance and 2.5x bonus.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000708955-26-000155
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FFBC
- cik: 0000708955
- company_name: FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
- filed_at: 2026-09-15T20:34:08+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.55
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.55
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/0000708955-26-000155-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/ffbc-20260914.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000708955-26-000155
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000708955-26-000155.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000708955-26-000155.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Amanda N. Neeley was appointed as Chief Banking Officer at FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Banking Officer
  source text: the Board appointed Amanda N. Neeley, age 46, as Chief Banking Officer of the Company and the Bank
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/0000708955-26-000155-index.htm
- Executive change
  Malcolm A. Myers was appointed as Chief Operating Officer at FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Operating Officer
  source text: and Malcolm A. Myers, age 59, as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Bank.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/0000708955-26-000155-index.htm
- Executive change
  James M. Anderson was appointed as President at FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President
  source text: While Mr. Anderson will retain his role as Chief Financial Officer in addition to the role of President, he will no longer serve as the Chief Operating Officer effective September 14, 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/0000708955-26-000155-index.htm
- Executive change
  Archie M. Brown changed role as President at FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/.
  - Role: President
  source text: Archie M. Brown, who previously held the roles of Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and the Bank, will retain his role as Chief Executive Officer of both entities.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/0000708955-26-000155-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.