Mercer County, OH – September 26, 2024 – First Financial Bank (Nasdaq: FFBC) will host a food drive in the Mercer County area from October 7-25, accepting canned food and nonperishable boxed food in specially marked bins at its financial centers including 1942 Havemann Rd. in Celina, 220 N. Wayne St. in Fort Recovery and 166 S. Main St. in Rockford. After the conclusion of the food drive, First Financial associates will choose local organizations to receive the food for distribution into the surrounding community.

Roddell McCullough, chief corporate responsibility officer for First Financial Bank

“Addressing food insecurity in the neighborhoods we serve is an inspiring goal for us, building on our commitment to help our clients and communities thrive. Our drives in previous years have always brought so much fun while lifting our neighbors and communities, and everyone on our team is looking forward to filling those bins to the top again this year.”

Last year, First Financial Bank associates and volunteers donated over 6,600 food items throughout its four states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois.

Supporting local residents is key to First Financial’s proudly local approach as friends, leaders and neighbors. Earlier this year, First Financial entered into a new $2.4 billion, five-year Community Benefits Agreement with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and related partner organizations, establishing goals for lending and investments to low- and moderate-income (LMI) clients and census tracts. In 2023, First Financial and the First Financial Foundation provided more than $4.2 million and over 14,800 volunteer hours in community support, with associates also pledging over $800,000 in its United Way giving campaign.

About First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $18.2 billion in assets, $11.5 billion in loans, $13.7 billion in deposits and $2.3 billion in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $3.6 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2024. The Company operated 131 full service banking centers as of June 30, 2024, located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.