Celina, OH – April 22, 2025 – First Financial Bank (Nasdaq: FFBC) and its associates will host a book drive at the bank’s locations in Mercer County, continuing the bank’s ongoing efforts to support financial literacy. From May 5-31, residents can donate books by dropping them in a bin at First Financial locations at 1942 Havemann Rd. in Celina, 220 N. Wayne St. in Fort Recovery and 166 S. Main St. in Rockford. Donated books can address financial literacy or any other subject. At the end of the campaign, First Financial associates will deliver all donated books to local schools, libraries and nonprofits in communities served by the bank. 

Roddell McCullough, chief corporate responsibility officer for First Financial Bank

“In recent years, our book drives have collected thousands of volumes to foster improved financial literacy in our communities, and we’re proud to continue this campaign as another way to help our clients and communities thrive.”

In 2024, community members teamed up with First Financial to collect over 4,000 books in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, including 759 in Mercer County. As in previous years, First Financial will also offer a list of recommended books to help with financial literacy, available at each financial center during the book drive. 

First Financial Ft. Recovery

Through book drives, food drives and its long-standing community grant campaign, First Financial continues to demonstrate support for its neighbors in local communities. Last year First Financial donated a total of more than $4.6 million to community-based organizations its Midwestern footprint, while team members donated over 14,000 volunteer hours. First Financial has also earned a rating of Outstanding from the Federal Reserve Board for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act to meet the credit needs of the people and businesses in its communities. This is First Financial’s second consecutive Outstanding rating for its work. 

About First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.8 billion in loans, $14.3 billion in deposits and $2.4 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 $3.7 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. The Company operated 127 full service banking centers as of December 31, 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.