# First Financial Bancorp: AI strategy

Source: https://www.bankingnewsai.com/banks/first-financial-ohio
Last updated: Oct 25, 2026

*A 163-year-old Cincinnati acquirer that struck three deals in 13 months and converted two of them inside a year, whose technology record is integration and fraud education rather than a disclosed AI programme.*

## How is First Financial Bank using AI?

First Financial Bancorp, the Cincinnati parent of First Financial Bank with about $22 billion of assets and 151 banking centres across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, spent 2025 and 2026 buying and integrating. CEO Archie Brown, who went seven years without a deal, engineered three in 13 months: Westfield Bancorp near Cleveland for $325 million in cash and stock (June 2025), BankFinancial in Chicago for $142 million in stock (August 2025, closed January 2026, systems converted in June 2026) and Finward Bancorp, parent of Peoples Bank in Munster, Indiana, for about $208 million in stock (July 2026), which will give the bank $4.1 billion of deposits and more than 40 branches in Chicagoland. Brown said the Chicago deals 'will give us opportunities to hold some more conversations' but that 'if this is where we've landed, it's big enough'. Second-quarter 2026 net income was $76.5 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, with record adjusted earnings of $83.9 million ($0.80), an adjusted efficiency ratio of 56.8% and an 18.0% return on tangible common equity, though adjusted fee income fell short of expectations after a record first quarter in wealth management and leasing; virtually all Westfield cost savings had been realised by 30 June and BankFinancial's were to phase in during the third quarter. On AI the bank speaks to clients rather than about itself: its 2026 annual fraud checklist tells businesses to train staff on 'current fraud trends, such as AI deepfakes and social engineering', and its commercial fraud hub offers risk-management guides. Neither the earnings calls, the 2026 10-Qs nor the releases mention an AI programme, leader, vendor or budget. Three other records go further. At a 2025 client seminar on fraud in the age of AI, chief information security officer Lance Murray said 'We are building our AI strategy', and explained that his team had blocked organisational device access to any open AI site while it did the analysis. And the 2025 10-K, filed in February 2026, carries a stand-alone risk factor on the use of 'AI, Generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and AI agents by customers, vendors and competitors', says the bank asks vendors in due diligence how they use these tools, and warns that implementing them can bring 'data leakage, model bias, decision errors, regulatory non-compliance, or ineffective governance'. The 2026 proxy statement adds that the board's Enterprise Risk and Compliance Committee oversees AI risk and that the company 'has implemented an AI governance framework'. In September 2026 the bank reorganised its top team for succession: CFO Jamie Anderson became president, and Malcolm Myers, chief information officer from 2018 and chief transformation and delivery officer since 2022, became chief operating officer. First Financial Bank is an Ohio state member bank supervised by the Federal Reserve. Treat this as a thin record for a bank whose technology capacity is consumed by conversions.

## At a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Lead bank | First Financial Bank |
| Ticker | FFBC |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, OH |
| Consolidated assets | $22,351 million |
| Federal Reserve rank | 86 |
| Charter | Ohio state member bank (Federal Reserve) |

## What AI partnerships and patents does First Financial Bank have?

First Financial discloses one AI vendor relationship: it has lent through the Upstart Referral Network, an AI lending platform, since February 2021, and the two announced the expanded programme in April 2021. No AI lab, cloud AI service, data-science vendor or AI investment is named in its filings, earnings calls or releases. A Google Patents assignee search for First Financial Bank and First Financial Bancorp returned no patents or published applications assigned to either entity. The bank's filings do not describe the Upstart programme, so its current scale is not public. ([Upstart (Business Wire)](https://businesswire.com/news/home/20210414005295/en), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926043973/tm261377-1_def14a.htm))

| Item | What it is | Status | Date | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Upstart Referral Network | AI lending platform that sends qualified personal-loan applicants to a First Financial-branded application; lending began February 2021 | Announced | 2021-04-14 | [Upstart (Business Wire)](https://businesswire.com/news/home/20210414005295/en) |

## Key points

- No AI programme, named AI leader or budget disclosed; earnings calls, the 2026 10-Qs and releases are silent on AI.
- Three acquisitions in 13 months: Westfield Bancorp ($325 million), BankFinancial ($142 million, converted June 2026) and Finward Bancorp (about $208 million, announced July 2026).
- Post-Finward Chicagoland presence: $4.1 billion of deposits and more than 40 branches.
- Q2 2026 net income $76.5 million ($0.73 per share); record adjusted net income $83.9 million ($0.80); adjusted efficiency ratio 56.8%; ROTCE 18.0%; adjusted fee income below expectations.
- Client AI content is defensive: the 2026 fraud checklist flags AI deepfakes and social engineering.
- CEO Archie Brown: 'if this is where we've landed, it's big enough', with integration the near-term priority.
- AI strategy in progress, per the CISO: 'We are building our AI strategy' (2025 client seminar), with open AI sites blocked on bank devices while the analysis ran.
- 2025 10-K: a dedicated risk factor on AI, generative AI, LLMs and AI agents used by customers, vendors and competitors; vendors are asked in due diligence how they use these tools.
- September 2026 reshuffle: Jamie Anderson president (and still CFO); former CIO Malcolm Myers chief operating officer; Archie Brown remains CEO.
- Conversions: Westfield in March 2026, BankFinancial on 8 June 2026; Finward expected to close around year-end.
- AI language in the 10-K grew from none (FY2023) to one passage (FY2024) to a stand-alone risk factor with about 25 references (FY2025).
- Governance is ahead of deployment: the 2025 proxy said the company was 'actively exploring and implementing AI governance frameworks'; the 2026 proxy says it 'has implemented an AI governance framework'. The board's Enterprise Risk and Compliance Committee, chaired by director Gary Warzala (a former CISO of Fifth Third, PNC and Visa), oversees AI risk.
- Technology is led by chief information officer Donnie Slavens (joined 2008), whose remit includes technology strategy, infrastructure and data management; chief information security officer Lance Murray chairs the Cybersecurity ERM Committee.
- The only named AI vendor is Upstart: personal loans through its Referral Network since February 2021. No patents are assigned to First Financial Bank or First Financial Bancorp in Google Patents.
- Headcount went from 2,165 (end 2023) to 2,090 (end 2024) during a workforce-efficiency programme, then to 2,199 (end 2025) after Westfield closed on 1 November 2025.
- Finward: close expected around year-end 2026, conversion in the second quarter of 2027 and the first full quarter of savings in the fourth quarter of 2027 (CFO Jamie Anderson, Q2 2026 call).

## Timeline

- Sep 14, 2026 — **Succession reshuffle: Anderson president, former CIO Myers COO** Anderson keeps the CFO title; Myers moves up from chief transformation and delivery officer; Brown stays CEO for 'several years'. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/ffbc-20260914.htm), [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/after-year-of-rapid-growth-ohio-bank-revamps-its-top-ranks))
- Aug 6, 2026 — **Q2 2026 10-Q: no AI language** The second-quarter report and the 22 July earnings call contain no AI reference; the call covered BankFinancial's June conversion and a Finward conversion planned for the second quarter of 2027. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000144/ffbc-20260630.htm), [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-financial-bancorp-posts-q2-2026-profit-beat-93CH-4806062))
- Jul 22, 2026 — **Q2 2026 call: record adjusted earnings; Finward to close around year-end** Adjusted net income $83.9 million ($0.80); 7% annualized loan growth; Westfield savings realised by 30 June, BankFinancial savings phasing in during the third quarter. ([MarketBeat (Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-q2-earnings-140542235.html))
- Jul 21, 2026 — **Second-quarter 2026 results and Finward acquisition** Net income $76.5 million; $208 million all-stock deal for Peoples Bank's parent. ([First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire via Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-announces-second-203000197.html), [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/cincinnatis-first-financial-strikes-third-deal-in-13-months))
- Jun 8, 2026 — **BankFinancial systems converted** Operating systems converted and Chicagoland branches rebranded First Financial Bank; $1 million committed to the First Financial Foundation for the area. ([First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-financial-completes-conversion-of-bankfinancial-302793994.html))
- May 8, 2026 — **Q1 2026 10-Q: no AI language** The first-quarter report, filed after the Westfield conversion and BankFinancial closing, does not mention AI. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000096/ffbc-20260331.htm), [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-financial-bancorp-q1-2026-beats-earnings-expectations-93CH-4645793))
- Apr 27, 2026 — **Q1 2026 call: Westfield converted, BankFinancial closed** Adjusted EPS $0.77; record wealth management and leasing income; an $8.9 million bargain-purchase gain on BankFinancial. ([MarketBeat (Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-q1-earnings-154531559.html))
- Apr 23, 2026 — **First-quarter 2026 results** Net income $74.4 million; $0.71 per share; BankFinancial closed on 1 January. ([First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-financial-bancorp-announces-first-quarter-2026-financial-results-302752186.html))
- Apr 16, 2026 — **2026 proxy: AI governance framework 'implemented'** Covers ethical, transparent and responsible use, data governance, model risk alignment and human oversight controls; the CISO attends quarterly board risk committee meetings. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926043973/tm261377-1_def14a.htm))
- Mar 16, 2026 — **Westfield Bank converted to First Financial** Retail branches rebranded and the two banks' products, processes and operating systems consolidated; $500,000 committed to the First Financial Foundation for Northeast Ohio. ([First Financial Bank](https://bankatfirst.com/personal/discover/flourish/first-financial-completes-conversion-westfield-bank.html))
- Feb 19, 2026 — **2025 10-K: stand-alone AI risk factor** AI, generative AI, LLMs and AI agents used by customers, vendors and competitors raise fraud, cyber and competitive risk; implementing them can bring data leakage, model bias and decision errors; vendors are asked how they use these tools. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm))
- Jan 29, 2026 — **Q4 2025 call: record fee income; conversions set for March and June** Adjusted EPS $0.80; adjusted fee income $77.3 million, the highest in company history; Westfield to convert in March and BankFinancial in June. ([MarketBeat (Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-financial-bancorp-q4-earnings-171201459.html))
- Jan 8, 2026 — **2026 annual fraud checklist** Businesses told to train staff on AI deepfakes and social engineering. ([First Financial Bank](https://bankatfirst.com/content/dam/bankatfirst/business/annual-fraud-checklist-2026.pdf))
- Jan 1, 2026 — **BankFinancial acquisition closes** All-stock deal completed effective 1 January 2026; systems converted in June. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm), [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/cincinnatis-first-financial-strikes-third-deal-in-13-months))
- Nov 4, 2025 — **Q3 2025 10-Q: no AI language** The quarterly report has no AI reference, three months before the 10-K added a stand-alone AI risk factor. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895525000109/ffbc-20250930.htm))
- Nov 1, 2025 — **Westfield Bancorp acquisition closes** The bank issued 2,753,094 shares of its common stock to Ohio Farmers Insurance Company as part of the $325 million deal; Westfield's products and operating systems were to be consolidated by March 2026. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895525000105/ffbc-20251101.htm), [American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/first-financial-bancorp-to-acquire-ohio-bank-in-325m-deal))
- Oct 24, 2025 — **Q3 2025 call: record revenue; efficiency work 90% done** Adjusted EPS $0.76 and adjusted ROTCE 19.3%; the CEO said the bank was 90% through its efficiency efforts, with expense reductions to come from the acquisitions. ([GuruFocus (Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-financial-bancorp-ffbc-q3-190138741.html))
- Aug 11, 2025 — **BankFinancial acquisition announced** $142 million in stock; bigger Chicago presence. ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/ohios-first-financial-strikes-deal-to-get-bigger-in-chicago))
- Aug 8, 2025 — **CISO: 'We are building our AI strategy'** At the bank's 'Fraud in the Age of AI' client seminar (with a live deepfake demonstration), CISO Lance Murray described associates' eagerness to adopt AI and said open AI sites were blocked on bank devices while his team built the strategy. ([First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/business/resources/commercial/fighting-fraud-in-the-age-of-ai.html))
- Jun 23, 2025 — **Westfield Bancorp acquisition announced** $325 million in cash and stock; northeast Ohio expansion. ([American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/first-financial-bancorp-to-acquire-ohio-bank-in-325m-deal))
- Apr 17, 2025 — **2025 proxy: board committee oversees AI risk** The Enterprise Risk and Compliance Committee oversees cyber and technology risk including AI; the company 'is actively exploring and implementing AI governance frameworks'. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465925035790/tm252287-2_def14a.htm))
- Feb 20, 2025 — **FY2024 10-K: first AI risk language** One passage, inside the new-technology risk factor: artificial intelligence, machine learning and large language models can expose the bank to new operational risks, including to its internal controls. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895525000012/ffbc-20241231.htm))
- Aug 6, 2024 — **Lance Murray named chief information security officer** Headline of the Cincinnati Business Courier report on the appointment (article not accessible without subscription). ([Cincinnati Business Courier (bizjournals)](https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/08/06/first-financial-bank-lance-murray-ciso-nick-ritter.html))
- Feb 22, 2024 — **FY2023 10-K: no AI language** The annual report describes a Chief Information Security and Privacy Officer and a cyber committee structure but does not mention artificial intelligence. ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895524000018/ffbc-20231231.htm))

## Where AI runs

| Use case | What | Status | Detail | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Third-party & vendor AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#third-party-vendors) | Serial acquisition conversions | In production | Westfield converted in March 2026, with its cost savings virtually all realised by 30 June; BankFinancial converted in June 2026, with savings phasing in during the third quarter; Finward next. | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/cincinnatis-first-financial-strikes-third-deal-in-13-months), [First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire via Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-announces-second-203000197.html), [MarketBeat (Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-q1-earnings-154531559.html) |
| [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#fraud) | Commercial fraud education including AI deepfakes | In production | Annual checklist and commercial fraud hub for business clients. | [First Financial Bank](https://bankatfirst.com/content/dam/bankatfirst/business/annual-fraud-checklist-2026.pdf) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | No disclosed AI deployment | Announced | No AI reference in investor materials. | [First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire via Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-announces-second-203000197.html) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | AI strategy under construction; open AI sites blocked | Announced | The CISO's team is building the AI strategy by asking for each proposal the business case, the use case, who manages it and where the data goes, with organisational device access to open AI sites blocked meanwhile. | [First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/business/resources/commercial/fighting-fraud-in-the-age-of-ai.html) |
| [Model risk management](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#model-risk) | AI risk-factor disclosure | In production | A stand-alone 10-K risk factor on AI, generative AI, LLMs and AI agents, plus AI in the technology risk factor: data leakage, model bias, decision errors, regulatory non-compliance and ineffective governance. | [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm) |
| [Third-party & vendor AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#third-party-vendors) | Vendor AI due diligence | In production | In vendor due diligence the bank requests detailed information on how the vendor uses AI tools and seeks to limit exposure by contract. | [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm) |
| [AI governance (general)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#governance-general) | Board-level AI governance framework | In production | The 2026 proxy says the company has implemented an AI governance framework for ethical, transparent and responsible use, managing data governance, model risk alignment and human oversight controls; the board's Enterprise Risk and Compliance Committee oversees it. The 2025 proxy had described frameworks as being explored and implemented. | [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926043973/tm261377-1_def14a.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465925035790/tm252287-2_def14a.htm) |
| [Cybersecurity](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#cybersecurity) | AI-enabled attack risk under the Cybersecurity ERM Committee | In production | The 10-K warns that AI tools can raise the sophistication and speed of cyberattacks and fraud. The CISO chairs the Cybersecurity ERM Committee, which presents quarterly to the management and board risk committees; tools include simulated phishing, incident-response tabletops and annual audit. | [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926043973/tm261377-1_def14a.htm) |
| [Fraud detection](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#fraud) | AI fraud seminars for business clients | In production | The bank's 'Fraud in the Age of AI' seminar combined a live deepfake demonstration with a panel of the CISO, a Clark Schaefer Hackett IT-risk shareholder and a Secret Service agent, moderated by the director of enterprise fraud. The commercial fraud hub lists 'AI and deepfakes' among four fraud trends. | [First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/business/resources/commercial/fighting-fraud-in-the-age-of-ai.html), [First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/business/fraud-hub.html) |
| [Third-party & vendor AI](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#third-party-vendors) | Vendor-risk committee with annual and monthly cyber diligence | In production | An ad hoc committee of the CISO, chief risk officer, chief compliance officer, vendor management and enterprise risk staff reviews vendor diligence. Critical vendors that handle customer personal data get an annual technology and controls review and monthly monitoring of outward-facing security. | [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm) |
| [Credit scoring & underwriting](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/by-use-case#credit-underwriting) | Upstart Referral Network personal loans | Announced | From February 2021 the bank has lent through the Upstart Referral Network, whose AI lending platform sends qualified applicants to a First Financial-branded application; the programme was announced in April 2021. The bank's own filings do not describe it, and no 2026 status appears in an allowed source. | [Upstart (Business Wire)](https://businesswire.com/news/home/20210414005295/en) |

## Disclosed numbers

| Measure | Value | As of | Sources |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Q2 2026 net income / diluted EPS | $76.5 million / $0.73 | Jul 21, 2026 | [First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire via Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-announces-second-203000197.html) |
| Adjusted efficiency ratio / ROTCE, Q2 2026 | 56.8% / 18.0% | Jul 21, 2026 | [First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire via Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-announces-second-203000197.html) |
| Finward Bancorp acquisition | ≈ $208 million in stock; $2 billion assets | Jul 21, 2026 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/cincinnatis-first-financial-strikes-third-deal-in-13-months) |
| Chicagoland after Finward | $4.1 billion deposits; 40+ branches | Jul 22, 2026 | [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/cincinnatis-first-financial-strikes-third-deal-in-13-months) |
| Q2 2026 adjusted net income / EPS / ROTCE | $83.9 million / $0.80 / 19.7% | Jun 30, 2026 | [MarketBeat (Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-q2-earnings-140542235.html) |
| Adjusted fee income, Q4 2025 (company record) | $77.3 million | Dec 31, 2025 | [MarketBeat (Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-financial-bancorp-q4-earnings-171201459.html) |
| AI references in the 10-K, FY2023 / FY2024 / FY2025 | none / 1 passage / about 25 | Feb 19, 2026 | [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895524000018/ffbc-20231231.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895525000012/ffbc-20241231.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm) |
| Employees at year end, 2023 / 2024 / 2025 | 2,165 / 2,090 / 2,199 | Dec 31, 2025 | [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895524000018/ffbc-20231231.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895525000012/ffbc-20241231.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm) |
| Full-service banking centres, 31 Dec 2025 / 30 Jun 2026 | 134 / 151 | Jun 30, 2026 | [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-financial-bank-announces-leadership-promotions-designed-to-strengthen-its-future-302879627.html) |
| Assets / loans / deposits, 30 June 2026 | $22.4 billion / $13.7 billion / $17.6 billion | Jun 30, 2026 | [First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-financial-bank-announces-leadership-promotions-designed-to-strengthen-its-future-302879627.html) |
| BankFinancial planned cost saves | 45% of its $41.5 million 2024 operating expenses | Aug 11, 2025 | [American Banker](https://americanbanker.com/news/ohios-first-financial-strikes-deal-to-get-bigger-in-chicago) |
| Finward conversion and full-savings timing | Conversion Q2 2027; first full quarter of savings Q4 2027 | Jul 22, 2026 | [Investing.com](https://investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-first-financial-bancorp-posts-q2-2026-profit-beat-93CH-4806062) |
| Board Enterprise Risk and Compliance Committee meetings in 2025 | 4 | Dec 31, 2025 | [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926043973/tm261377-1_def14a.htm) |

## Quotes

> "We think there's more to do, but I think if this is where we've landed, it's big enough." — Archie Brown, President and CEO, Jul 22, 2026 ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/cincinnatis-first-financial-strikes-third-deal-in-13-months))

> "We are building our AI strategy. We are asking ourselves, 'What will be the business case, the use case? Who is going to manage it? Where is the data going?'" — Lance Murray, Chief Information Security Officer, Aug 8, 2025 ([First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/business/resources/commercial/fighting-fraud-in-the-age-of-ai.html))

> "The Company is actively exploring and implementing AI governance frameworks to ensure ethical, transparent, and responsible use of AI technologies, while managing associated risks." — First Financial Bancorp, 2025 proxy statement, risk and cybersecurity, Apr 17, 2025 ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465925035790/tm252287-2_def14a.htm))

> "The Company has implemented an AI governance framework to ensure ethical, transparent, and responsible use of AI technologies, while managing associated risks like data governance, model risk alignment, and human oversight controls." — First Financial Bancorp, 2026 proxy statement, risk and cybersecurity, Apr 16, 2026 ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926043973/tm261377-1_def14a.htm))

> "Implementation of certain new technologies, such as AI, Generative AI, LLMs, AI agents and similar technologies, can expose us to new or increased operational risks, including risks related to data leakage, model bias, decision errors, regulatory non-compliance, or ineffective governance or internal controls." — First Financial Bancorp, 2025 Form 10-K, risk factors, Feb 19, 2026 ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm))

> "I don't have to fool every one of you. I just have to fool one of you." — Jon Waldo, Commercial Banking Regional Market President, Western Ohio, First Financial Bank, Aug 8, 2025 ([First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/business/resources/commercial/fighting-fraud-in-the-age-of-ai.html))

> "I think we had a pretty flat organization. We just realized we've got to have some of these responsibilities shared with more of the executives." — Archie Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Sep 22, 2026 ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/after-year-of-rapid-growth-ohio-bank-revamps-its-top-ranks))

## Who runs AI

- **Archie Brown** — Chief Executive Officer (President and CEO until September 2026) ([American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/cincinnatis-first-financial-strikes-third-deal-in-13-months), [First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire via Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-announces-second-203000197.html), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/ffbc-20260914.htm))
- **Jamie Anderson** — President and Chief Financial Officer (from September 2026; previously CFO and COO) ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-jamie-anderson-17a85975)) ([First Financial Bancorp (PR Newswire via Yahoo Finance)](https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/first-financial-bancorp-announces-second-203000197.html), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/ffbc-20260914.htm), [American Banker](https://www.americanbanker.com/news/after-year-of-rapid-growth-ohio-bank-revamps-its-top-ranks))
- **Malcolm Myers** — Chief Operating Officer (from September 2026); Chief Transformation and Delivery Officer 2022–2026; Chief Information Officer 2018–2022 (and of MainSource from 2012) ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/malcolmmyers139)) ([First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000155/ffbc-20260914.htm))
- **Donnie Slavens** — Chief Information Officer (technology strategy, infrastructure, data management and enterprise technology operations; joined the bank in 2008) ([First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/about/leadership-team.html))
- **Lance Murray** — Chief Information Security Officer (Chief Information Security and Privacy Officer in the 10-K); chairs the Cybersecurity ERM Committee ([LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-murray-cisa-crisc-57297284)) ([First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/business/resources/commercial/fighting-fraud-in-the-age-of-ai.html), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926043973/tm261377-1_def14a.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm), [Cincinnati Business Courier (bizjournals)](https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/08/06/first-financial-bank-lance-murray-ciso-nick-ritter.html))
- **Skip Sorg** — Chief Risk Officer (per the bank's leadership page; chief risk officers chair the Enterprise Risk Management Committee and sit on the vendor-risk committee) ([First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/about/leadership-team.html), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000110465926043973/tm261377-1_def14a.htm), [First Financial Bancorp (SEC filings)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/000070895526000028/ffbc-20251231.htm))
- **Melissa Donovan** — Director of Enterprise Fraud; moderated the bank's 'Fraud in the Age of AI' seminar ([First Financial Bank](https://www.bankatfirst.com/business/resources/commercial/fighting-fraud-in-the-age-of-ai.html))

## Open AI roles

Data as of Oct 25, 2026 (2026-10-25) · read from the bank's own careers site, re-checked weekly.

No open AI-titled postings on [the careers site](https://bankatfirst.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/FFB) as of Oct 25, 2026. A snapshot of current openings, not a source: postings close.

## Regulators it answers to

- [Federal Reserve](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/federal-reserve) — First Financial Bank is a state member bank; Fed model-risk and third-party guidance govern conversions and any AI adoption. See [SR 11-7](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fed-sr-11-7), [SR 23-4](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fed-sr-23-4).
- [CFPB](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/cfpb) — Consumer and small-business products bring adverse-action and UDAAP duties to any automated decisioning. See [ECOA / Regulation B adverse action (15 U.S.C. 1691(d); 12 CFR 1002.9)](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/cfpb-ecoa-regulation-b-adverse-action).
- [FDIC](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/fdic) — Deposit-insurance supervision and interagency third-party guidance apply to vendor platforms across acquired banks. See [FDIC FIL-29-2023](https://www.bankingnewsai.com/ai-regulation/documents/fdic-fil-29-2023).

## What the record suggests

### Three conversions in a year is the technology story

Integration discipline at this pace is rare; it is also why no AI programme has surfaced, and the pause after Finward is the window.

### Fee businesses are where AI would show

Wealth, client-derivative and leasing businesses, which set records in early 2026, are data-rich lines where analytics pay before core banking does.

### Fraud guidance to clients invites fraud tooling

Warning clients about AI deepfakes while disclosing no detection capability is a gap peers are closing.

### Acquired banks bring acquired models

A consolidated model inventory across Westfield, BankFinancial and Finward will be an exam expectation.

## FAQ

### Does First Financial Bank use AI?

First Financial Bancorp has not disclosed an AI programme, named AI leader or budget; its only named AI vendor is Upstart, whose referral network has fed its personal loans since 2021. Its AI-related content is client education, including a 2026 fraud checklist that warns businesses about AI deepfakes and social engineering. Its chief information security officer, Lance Murray, told a 2025 client seminar that the bank was 'building our AI strategy' and had blocked open AI sites on its devices meanwhile, and its 2025 10-K carries a stand-alone AI risk factor and describes asking vendors how they use AI tools.

### Who leads AI at First Financial Bank?

First Financial Bancorp names no head of AI, chief data officer or chief AI officer. Ownership sits with technology and risk leaders. Donnie Slavens, chief information officer, leads technology strategy, infrastructure and data management. Lance Murray, chief information security officer, chairs the Cybersecurity ERM Committee and said in 2025 that his team was 'building our AI strategy'. Malcolm Myers, chief information officer from 2018 to 2022, became chief operating officer on 14 September 2026. The board's Enterprise Risk and Compliance Committee, chaired by director Gary Warzala, oversees AI risk, and the 2026 proxy says an AI governance framework is in place.

### Who runs technology at First Financial Bank?

Donnie Slavens is chief information officer; he joined the bank in 2008 and leads technology strategy, infrastructure, data management and enterprise technology operations. Malcolm Myers, chief information officer from 2018 to 2022 and chief transformation and delivery officer from February 2022, became chief operating officer on 14 September 2026. Cybersecurity is overseen by chief information security officer Lance Murray, who has spoken publicly about the bank's AI strategy. Jamie Anderson became president (keeping the CFO title) on the same day; Archie Brown remains CEO.

### Does First Financial Bank have an AI governance framework?

Yes, according to its 2026 proxy statement, which says the company 'has implemented an AI governance framework' covering ethical, transparent and responsible use, with data governance, model risk alignment and human oversight controls. A year earlier the 2025 proxy said it was 'actively exploring and implementing' such frameworks. The board's Enterprise Risk and Compliance Committee oversees AI risk, and the chief information security officer chairs the Cybersecurity ERM Committee and attends the quarterly meetings of both the management and board risk committees. The framework itself, an AI owner and any AI use case beyond client fraud education are not published.

### How has First Financial's AI disclosure changed since 2023?

The FY2023 10-K, filed in February 2024, has no AI reference. The FY2024 10-K (February 2025) adds one passage on artificial intelligence, machine learning and large language models inside a new-technology risk factor. The FY2025 10-K (February 2026) carries a stand-alone AI risk factor and about 25 references, covering AI agents, vendor due diligence and fraud. The proxy moved from 'actively exploring and implementing AI governance frameworks' in April 2025 to 'has implemented' in April 2026. The 10-Qs for the first two quarters of 2026 and the earnings calls since October 2025 contain no AI language.

### What acquisitions has First Financial made?

Three in 13 months: Westfield Bancorp near Cleveland for $325 million, BankFinancial in Chicago for $142 million (closed January 2026, converted June 2026) and Finward Bancorp, parent of Peoples Bank in Munster, Indiana, for about $208 million in stock, announced July 2026.

## Sources (31)

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2. Ohio's First Financial strikes deal to get bigger in Chicago — American Banker, Aug 11, 2025. https://americanbanker.com/news/ohios-first-financial-strikes-deal-to-get-bigger-in-chicago
3. 2026 Annual Fraud Checklist — First Financial Bank, Jan 8, 2026. https://bankatfirst.com/content/dam/bankatfirst/business/annual-fraud-checklist-2026.pdf
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