Ever tried looking up "First Financial" on a stock app? It's a mess. Honestly, you've probably hit a wall of four or five different companies all using nearly the same name. If you're looking for the first financial bank stock price, you first have to figure out which "First" you're actually talking about.
There is the Cincinnati-based heavy hitter (FFBC), the Texas powerhouse (FFIN), the Indiana mainstay (THFF), and even a Northwest player (FFBW). They are all "First Financial." But their stock movements couldn't be more different.
Right now, in mid-January 2026, the market is chewing on some massive news from the biggest of the bunch—First Financial Bancorp (FFBC). They just closed their acquisition of Chicago-based BankFinancial on New Year's Day. If you're watching the ticker, you’re seeing a company that just ballooned to $22 billion in assets overnight.
Why the FFBC Ticker is Dominating the Conversation
Most people hunting for the first financial bank stock price are looking for FFBC. As of January 16, 2026, the stock is hovering around $26.65. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster.
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Just a few days ago, it was trading at $26.81, and we've seen it hit a 52-week high of $29.21.
Why the volatility? It’s the Chicago move.
The BankFinancial deal is a "bet the farm" kind of growth strategy. They now have 18 new centers in the Chicago market. Investors are split. Some love the scale; others are biting their nails over the integration costs. Integrating two banks is like performing surgery while the patient is running a marathon. It’s messy.
The Analyst Divided Camp
- Raymond James has been staying the course with an "outperform" rating, though they nudged their price target down to $28.00 recently.
- Truist Securities is playing it safe with a "hold" and a $29.00 target.
- Zacks Research actually downgraded them from a "strong buy" to a "hold" last October.
Basically, the "smart money" is waiting to see the first full quarter of combined earnings, which FFBC is set to drop on January 28, 2026.
The Texas Side: First Financial Bankshares (FFIN)
If you aren't looking at the Cincinnati group, you're likely looking at the Abilene, Texas-based First Financial Bankshares (FFIN). Their stock is a different beast entirely.
While FFBC trades in the mid-20s, FFIN is sitting around $32.54 as of January 16. It actually had a massive 8% jump recently.
But it hasn't all been blue skies in Texas. In late 2025, they had to eat a $21.55 million commercial loan charge-off because of some alleged fraudulent activity. That's a gut punch for a regional bank. Despite that, their net interest margin (NIM) is still a rock-solid 3.80%.
Texas banking is weirdly resilient. Even when things go south with a big loan, the sheer volume of commercial real estate and energy sector activity in the state keeps the lights on. FFIN has been doing a lot of internal shuffling too. They just promoted James Alexander to Head of Commercial Banking and Tim Brown to CIO. It feels like they're bracing for a tech-heavy 2026.
Indiana’s Steady Hand (THFF)
Then there's First Financial Corporation (THFF), based in Terre Haute. If you want a stock that moves like a slow-moving river, this is it. It’s currently trading around $62.75.
It hit an all-time high of $64.96 just a month ago in December 2025.
For the "boring is beautiful" crowd, THFF is often the go-to. Their 52-week low was way down at $42.05, meaning if you bought the dip a year ago, you’re up over 40%. Not bad for a "quiet" regional bank.
What is Driving the First Financial Bank Stock Price Now?
If you're trying to time an entry or exit, you have to look at the "Net Interest Margin" (NIM). It’s the holy grail of bank stocks.
When interest rates shift, these banks scramble. FFBC reported a NIM of 4.02% recently, which is actually industry-leading. That’s why their dividend yield is still sitting pretty at around 3.75%.
But there are risks.
- Loan Payoffs: In the most recent earnings calls, management at several "First Financial" entities mentioned they expect loan payoff activity to slow down growth.
- Efficiency Ratios: FFBC is sitting at about 57%. If they can’t get that lower after the Chicago merger, the stock might stagnate.
- The Texas Factor: For FFIN, they are heavily tied to the Texas economy. If oil or agriculture takes a hit, the stock follows.
Actionable Insights for Investors
Don't just stare at the flickering green and red numbers. If you're serious about the first financial bank stock price, you need a checklist.
First, verify the ticker. I can't stress this enough. FFBC (Cincinnati), FFIN (Texas), and THFF (Indiana) are not the same company.
Second, mark January 28, 2026, on your calendar. That’s when First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) releases its full-year 2025 results. This will be the first real glimpse into whether the BankFinancial acquisition was a genius move or an expensive headache.
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Third, look at the "Tangible Book Value." For FFBC, it’s around $16.19. For First Bank (a smaller related entity), it’s about $15.33. If a stock price is way higher than its tangible book value, you're paying a premium for "goodwill" and future growth. At $26, FFBC is trading at a significant premium, which means the market expects that Chicago expansion to pay off big time.
Keep an eye on the "insider" moves too. Archie Brown, the CEO of FFBC, sold about 11,500 shares in mid-December at $26.80. It wasn't a huge chunk of his holding—he still owns over 229,000 shares—but it’s always worth noting when the boss trims their position right before a major merger closes.
Check the dividend dates. These banks are known for being "dividend aristocrat" types in the regional world. FFBC is expected to pay out about $1.01 per share over the course of 2026. If the price stays near $26, that’s a yield that beats a lot of high-yield savings accounts.