First Financial Bank buys three branches

HAMILTON — First Financial Bancorp, which has operations in the Dayton area, said Monday, Aug. 31, it has completed its acquisition of three bank branches in Indiana.

The parent of First Financial Bank bought the branches from Irwin Financial Corp., which is based in Columbus, Ind.

The acquisition of the banks in Carmel, Greensburg and Shelbyville gives First Financial an additional $84.6 million in checking, savings and money market deposits.

The company in a news release said it also gained $41.1 million in loans through the deal. The transaction marks the second acquisition since late June by First Financial of loans from Irwin Financial, parent of Irwin Union Bank and Trust Co.

In June, First Financial acquired $145.1 million in loans from the Indiana-based bank.

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