FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ 8-K

What Happened

• First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) issued an earnings press release on April 23, 2026 reporting its results of operations and financial condition for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 and furnished accompanying presentation slides for its earnings call. These materials were furnished to the SEC (Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2).
• On April 23, 2026 the Board also authorized a new stock repurchase program effective April 21, 2026 to buy up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock, representing approximately 4.8% of shares outstanding as of March 31, 2026. The repurchase program replaces the prior plan (authorized December 2023) that expired December 31, 2025, and will expire December 31, 2027.

Key Details

• Earnings materials: press release dated April 23, 2026 and presentation slides (available on the company website).
• Repurchase authorization: up to 5,000,000 shares (~4.8% of outstanding shares as of 3/31/2026); effective April 21, 2026; expires December 31, 2027.
• Board rationale: reauthorization based on the company’s continued strength in balance sheet and capital position.
• Purchases may be made in the open market, through block trades or private transactions, and may be commenced, suspended or modified at any time subject to legal and market conditions.

Why It Matters

• The earnings release provides the company’s latest quarterly results (Q1 2026) and related investor materials investors should review to assess recent performance and trends.
• The 5 million-share buyback authorization signals the Board’s confidence in capital strength and can support long-term shareholder value by potentially reducing share count and supporting earnings per share, though actual repurchases will depend on market conditions and legal requirements.
• No management changes or other material corporate actions were announced in this filing beyond the earnings disclosure and repurchase authorization.