INDIANAPOLIS—November 10, 2025 — First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial”) announced November 3, 2025, that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of Westfield Bancorp, Inc. (“Westfield”) in a cash and stock transaction from the Ohio Farmers Insurance Company. Westfield is the holding company and sole shareholder of Westfield Bank, FSB (“Westfield Bank”). With this acquisition, Oak Street Funding, a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Financial Bank, will unify with Westfield Bank’s insurance agency and registered investment advisor (RIA) lending segments.
Established in 2003 to provide capital to the insurance industry, Oak Street Funding has since expanded to provide non-SBA financing for additional sectors, including the RIA industry, for the past decade. Oak Street Funding looks forward to working closely with Westfield Bank's specialty line leadership and their talented and dedicated employees.
“This partnership underscores both organizations' commitment to delivering exceptional service and innovative financial solutions to unique industries,” said Rick Dennen, founder and CEO of Indianapolis-based Oak Street Funding, and chief corporate banking officer of First Financial Bank. “Clients can expect combined expertise offering tailored loan solutions, competitive rates, and guidance from professionals deeply familiar with the intricacies of the insurance and RIA sectors. Together, we will aim to set a new benchmark for these industries. The collective talent and experience of these two organizations help our clients thrive in these competitive markets.”
Westfield Bank’s insurance agency and RIA lending segments and its retail banking locations will continue to operate under the name “Westfield Bank” until the completion of the conversion process, anticipated in March 2026. At that time, the two banks’ products, processes and operating systems will be consolidated. Westfield Bank clients will receive detailed information about account conversions in the coming months. Until then, Westfield Bank clients do not need to take any action and may continue to obtain services from their existing Westfield Bank channels. Oak Street Funding and First Financial clients will not be impacted by the merger or the conversion.
About Oak Street Funding
Indianapolis-based Oak Street Funding, a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Financial Bank, provides customized financial solutions for specialty lines of business including certified public accountants, registered investment advisors and insurance agents nationwide. Oak Street Funding incorporates industry knowledge, easy-to-use technology, and exceptional employees to deliver top-quality service and capital products.
About First Financial Bancorp
First Financial Bancorp is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of September 30, 2025, the Company had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.4 billion in deposits and $2.6 billion in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $4.0 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2025. The Company operated 127 full service banking centers as of September 30, 2025, located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. In 2025, First Financial Bank received its second consecutive Outstanding rating from the Federal Reserve for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act and was recognized as a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner, one of only 70 Gallup clients worldwide to receive this designation. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.
Media Contact:
Rae Hostetler
Hostetler Public Relations
Representing Oak Street Funding
317-733-8700
Rae@HostetlerPR.com