First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC)
NASDAQFinancialsBanks - RegionalSnapshot 2026-09-04
$32.98+0.46%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NASDAQFinancialsBanks - RegionalSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · FFBC
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within financials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks FFBC against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 3 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 0 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Financials names rated neutral grew net income 55% of the time over the next year (vs 62% for the rest of the cohort, n=10246).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Complete and integrate recent bank acquisitions including BankFinancial and Westfield to expand market presence and achieve financial targets.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. The company completed the Westfield Bank conversion in 2026-Q1 and closed the BankFinancial acquisition on January 1, 2026, with conversion scheduled for June 2026. Assets grew from $21.1B in 2026-Q1 to $22.8B in 2026-Q2 (+$1.7B), driven largely by BankFinancial. Loan balances increased modestly. Management reports being on track to achieve financial targets and cost savings from these acquisitions, indicating delivery on this priority.
“BankFinancial conversion scheduled for June; Westfield conversion completed; on track to achieve financial targets.”
“BankFinancial acquisition closed January 1, 2026; completed Westfield conversion; sale of BankFinancial multi-family loan portfolio.”
“Obtained regulatory approval for Westfield acquisition; expected close November 1st; BankFinancial acquisition announced.”
Sustain strong profitability with growth in net income and EPS supported by robust net interest margin and fee income.
Stated as a priority in 4 of last 4 quarters. Net income increased from $71.9 million in 2025-Q3 to $76.5 million in 2026-Q2, with diluted EPS around $0.71-$0.75 range. Management highlights a 22% EPS increase year-over-year and a resilient net interest margin near 4.0%. Despite some quarterly fluctuations, the trajectory shows sustained profitability and stable margins, consistent with management's stated priority.
Continue disciplined capital management with dividends and a share repurchase program authorized for up to 5 million shares.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. The Board authorized a new share repurchase program for up to 5 million shares effective April 2026, replacing the prior plan that expired December 2025. Dividends have been consistently maintained at $0.25 per share in 2026-Q1 and Q2. No buyback shares were reported in these quarters, indicating ongoing evaluation of repurchase timing. Capital allocation remains disciplined with steady dividends and a formal repurchase authorization.
Maintain top quartile asset quality metrics with stable nonperforming assets and prudent allowance for credit losses.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Asset quality metrics have remained stable with nonperforming assets around 0.41%-0.44% of total assets and allowance for credit losses near 1.33%-1.36% of loans. Net charge-offs were 35 bps annualized in 2026-Q1, impacted by one large commercial relationship. Management expects gradual improvement in asset quality. The trajectory shows stable and prudent credit risk management consistent with stated priorities.
The company has announced a share buyback program to repurchase up to 5 million shares, representing approximately 4.8% of its outstanding shares.
Over the trailing year it converted -33.55x of net income into operating cash flow.
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, long-term interest rates, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
13 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by capital-allocation actions. Historically, Financials names rated neutral grew net income 56% of the time over the next year (vs 58% for the rest of the cohort, n=3751).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Net income $76.5 million; diluted EPS $0.73; dividend per share $0.25.”
“Net income $74.4 million; diluted EPS $0.71; dividend per share $0.25.”
“Net income loss of $193 million due to acquisition-related items; operating income $79.1 million.”
“Net income $71.9 million; diluted EPS $0.75; dividend per share $0.25.”
“Dividend per share $0.25; no buyback shares reported this quarter.”
“Dividend per share $0.25; Board authorized 5 million share repurchase plan.”
“Dividend per share $0.25; previous repurchase plan expired December 2025.”
“Nonperforming assets decreased slightly to 0.44% of total assets; ACL to total loans 1.36%.”
“Nonperforming assets slightly declined from linked quarter to 0.44%; net charge-offs 35 bps annualized.”
“Nonperforming assets 0.41% of total assets; ACL to loans 1.33%.”