---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-26-085424"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FFBC"
cik: "0000708955"
company_name: "FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/"
filed_at: "2026-07-21T20:30:48+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-07-21T20:32:37.805226+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# FFBC to acquire Finward Bancorp in stock merger; 1.35 shares per Finward share

## Summary
- Each Finward share will be converted into 1.35 shares of FFBC common stock.
- Merger expected to close in Q4 2026, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.
- Termination fee of $9.0 million payable by Finward under certain circumstances.
- Boards of both companies unanimously approved the transaction.
- Peoples Bank to merge into First Financial Bank post-closing.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-26-085424
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FFBC
- cik: 0000708955
- company_name: FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
- filed_at: 2026-07-21T20:30:48+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 2.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926085424/0001104659-26-085424-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926085424/tm2620858d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-085424
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-085424.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-085424.txt

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