{"url_path":"/sec/ffbc/8-k/2026-07-21/cover-page","section_key":"cover-page","section_title":"Cover Page","topic":"sec","document":{"doc_type":"8-K","doc_date":"2026-07-21","source_url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/0001104659-26-085424-index.html","accession_number":"0001104659-26-085424","cik":"0000708955","ticker":"FFBC","issuer_name":"FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/","edgar_url":"https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/708955/0001104659-26-085424-index.html","primary_entity_key":"0000708955","primary_entity_name":"FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/"},"word_count":295,"has_tables":true,"body_markdown":"false\n0000708955\n\n0000708955\n\n2026-07-21\n2026-07-21\n\niso4217:USD\n\nxbrli:shares\n\niso4217:USD\n\nxbrli:shares\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n**UNITED STATES**\n\n**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**\n\n**Washington, D.C. 20549**\n\n \n\n**FORM 8-K**\n\n \n\n**CURRENT REPORT**\n\n**Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of\nthe**\n\n**Securities Exchange Act of 1934**\n\n \n\nDate of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 21, 2026\n\n \n\n**FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.**\n\n**(Exact name of registrant as specified in its\ncharter)**\n\n \n\n**Ohio**\n \n**001-34762**\n \n**31-1042001**\n\n**(State or other jurisdiction\nof incorporation)**\n \n**(Commission\nFile Number)**\n \n**(IRS Employer\nIdentification Number)**\n\n \n\n**255 East Fifth Street, Suite 900, Cincinnati, Ohio**\n \n**45202**\n\n**(Address of principal executive offices)**\n \n**(Zip Code)**\n\n \n\n**Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (877) 322-9530**\n\n \n\nCheck the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended\nto simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.\nbelow):\n\n \n\nx Written communications\npursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)\n\n \n\n¨ Soliciting material pursuant\nto Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)\n\n \n\n¨ Pre-commencement communications\npursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))\n\n \n\n¨ Pre-commencement\ncommunications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))\n\n \n\nTitle of each class\n \nTrading symbol\n \nName of exchange on which registered\n\nCommon stock, No par value\n \nFFBC\n \nThe NASDAQ Stock Market LLC\n\n \n\nIndicate by check mark whether the registrant is an\nemerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2\nof the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).\n\n \n\nEmerging growth company ¨\n\n \n\nIf an emerging growth\ncompany, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or\nrevised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨"}