Over 4,000 books collected at Financial Bank’s first book drive – Mercer County Outlook

Mercer County, OH – June 24, 2024 – First Financial Bank (Nasdaq: FFBC) and partners partnered with local residents in their latest book drive to collect more than 4,000 books in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, including 759 in Mercer County, to help advance financial education in the communities it serves. Books were collected at First Financial’s offices in northwest Ohio and financial centers across the four states. First Financial will donate the books to Our Home Family Resource Center and Fort Recovery Public Library, as well as schools, libraries and other nonprofits in all other communities.

Roddell McCullough, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer of First Financial Bank

“We are thrilled with the incredible turnout of community members who helped with this book collection, as our collective efforts will have a positive impact on the financial literacy of the people who receive these volumes for years to come.”

The book drive took place from May 6 to 24.

While First Financial staff collected books for the community over the two weeks, they also distributed a list of books and articles designed to promote financial literacy for all ages. Titles included: “A bike like Sergio’s“for primary school students”,OMG: Official Money Guide for Teens“ for high school students and “The Art of Money: A Life-Changing Guide to Financial Happiness“” for adults. The choices on this list cover the full spectrum of life. The list will continue to be available upon request at local First Financial branches. A list of financial centers is available online at bankatfirst.com.

About First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp. is a bank holding company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. As of March 31, 2024, the company had $17.6 billion in assets, $11.2 billion in loans, $13.5 billion in deposits, and $2.3 billion in shareholders’ equity. Founded in 1863, the company’s subsidiary First Financial Bank offers banking and financial services products through its six business segments: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance, and Wealth Management. These business segments provide traditional banking services to commercial and retail customers. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage, and retirement planning services, and had approximately $3.6 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024. The Company operated 130 full-service banking centers in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois as of March 31, 2024, while its Commercial Finance business lends to targeted industry verticals nationwide. For more information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, visit www.bankatfirst.com.