First Financial Bancorp Reports Q2 2026 Results, Increases Dividend, Acquires Finward Bancorp

CINCINNATI – First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) has reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2026. The company also announced an increase in its quarterly dividend and an agreement to acquire Finward Bancorp, the holding company for Peoples Bank, in an all-stock transaction.

The company reported net income of $76.5 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2026. On an adjusted basis, earnings per diluted share were $0.80, marking a historic high for the company. Adjusted return on average assets was 1.50%, and the net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent basis was 3.98%.

First Financial's Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend increase to $0.26 per common share, payable in the third quarter of 2026. The pending acquisition of Finward Bancorp is expected to expand the company's operations.

"Second quarter operating results were strong, and we are very pleased with our performance," said President and CEO Archie Brown. "Adjusted net income for the period was a record $83.9 million or $0.80 per share." Loan growth was robust, increasing by $240 million, or 7.1% on an annualized basis.

First Financial Bancorp continues to focus on post-integration efforts related to its Westfield acquisition and system conversions. The company anticipates its net interest margin will remain stable in the near term, assuming no significant changes in interest rates.