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First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) Competitors

First Financial Bancorp. logo
$32.30 +0.52 (+1.64%)
Closing price 06/12/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$32.31 +0.01 (+0.03%)
As of 06/12/2026 04:20 PM Eastern
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FFBC vs. ABCB, BUSE, CATY, FRME, and HWC

Should you buy First Financial Bancorp. stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares First Financial Bancorp. with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with First Financial Bancorp. include Ameris Bancorp (ABCB), First Busey (BUSE), Cathay General Bancorp (CATY), First Merchants (FRME), and Hancock Whitney (HWC). These companies are all part of the "finance" sector.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to Ameris Bancorp?

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) and Ameris Bancorp (NASDAQ:ABCB) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their media sentiment, risk, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership and valuation.

77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.6% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 11 more articles in the media than Ameris Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 12 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 1 mentions for Ameris Bancorp. First Financial Bancorp.'s average media sentiment score of 0.39 beat Ameris Bancorp's score of 0.20 indicating that First Financial Bancorp. is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Financial Bancorp.
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Ameris Bancorp
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.93, suggesting that its share price is 7% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Ameris Bancorp has a beta of 0.91, suggesting that its share price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

First Financial Bancorp. currently has a consensus price target of $33.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.17%. Ameris Bancorp has a consensus price target of $90.17, suggesting a potential upside of 1.21%. Given First Financial Bancorp.'s higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe First Financial Bancorp. is more favorable than Ameris Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Ameris Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

Ameris Bancorp has a net margin of 21.46% compared to First Financial Bancorp.'s net margin of 20.92%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.09% beat Ameris Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Financial Bancorp.20.92% 11.09% 1.49%
Ameris Bancorp 21.46%9.57%1.32%

First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Ameris Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ameris Bancorp pays out 12.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. First Financial Bancorp. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Ameris Bancorp has lower revenue, but higher earnings than First Financial Bancorp.. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ameris Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.69$255.60M$2.8311.41
Ameris Bancorp$1.20B4.98$358.68M$6.3614.01

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. and Ameris Bancorp tied by winning 9 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to First Busey?

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) and First Busey (NASDAQ:BUSE) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, risk, earnings, profitability, media sentiment and institutional ownership.

First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.93, indicating that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Busey has a beta of 0.72, indicating that its stock price is 28% less volatile than the broader market.

77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 56.5% of First Busey shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.8% of First Busey shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

First Financial Bancorp. presently has a consensus target price of $33.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.17%. First Busey has a consensus target price of $27.50, suggesting a potential downside of 4.45%. Given First Financial Bancorp.'s higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe First Financial Bancorp. is more favorable than First Busey.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
First Busey
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.92% compared to First Busey's net margin of 19.16%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.09% beat First Busey's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Financial Bancorp.20.92% 11.09% 1.49%
First Busey 19.16%10.19%1.36%

First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than First Busey. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Busey, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.69$255.60M$2.8311.41
First Busey$790.86M3.08$135.26M$2.2512.79

First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. First Busey pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Busey pays out 46.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Financial Bancorp. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years and First Busey has increased its dividend for 10 consecutive years. First Busey is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 10 more articles in the media than First Busey. MarketBeat recorded 12 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 2 mentions for First Busey. First Busey's average media sentiment score of 0.62 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of 0.39 indicating that First Busey is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Financial Bancorp.
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
First Busey
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats First Busey on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ:CATY) and First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, earnings, dividends and media sentiment.

Cathay General Bancorp presently has a consensus price target of $51.75, suggesting a potential downside of 15.14%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus price target of $33.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.17%. Given First Financial Bancorp.'s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe First Financial Bancorp. is more favorable than Cathay General Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

75.0% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.5% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.86, suggesting that its share price is 14% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.93, suggesting that its share price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 5 more articles in the media than Cathay General Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 12 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 7 mentions for Cathay General Bancorp. Cathay General Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 0.99 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of 0.39 indicating that Cathay General Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cathay General Bancorp
4 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
First Financial Bancorp.
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Cathay General Bancorp has a net margin of 23.79% compared to First Financial Bancorp.'s net margin of 20.92%. Cathay General Bancorp's return on equity of 11.37% beat First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cathay General Bancorp23.79% 11.37% 1.38%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.92%11.09%1.49%

Cathay General Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Cathay General Bancorp pays out 31.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Financial Bancorp. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. First Financial Bancorp. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Cathay General Bancorp has higher earnings, but lower revenue than First Financial Bancorp.. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cathay General Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cathay General Bancorp$844.88M4.84$315.12M$4.8512.57
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.69$255.60M$2.8311.41

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats Cathay General Bancorp on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to First Merchants?

First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) and First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, media sentiment, risk, profitability, dividends and analyst recommendations.

First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than First Merchants. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than First Merchants, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Merchants$1.05B2.52$226M$3.4012.38
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.69$255.60M$2.8311.41

First Merchants has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.93, meaning that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. First Merchants pays out 43.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. First Merchants has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and First Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. First Merchants is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

In the previous week, First Financial Bancorp. had 11 more articles in the media than First Merchants. MarketBeat recorded 12 mentions for First Financial Bancorp. and 1 mentions for First Merchants. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 0.96 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of 0.39 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
First Merchants Positive
First Financial Bancorp. Neutral

73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of First Merchants shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

First Merchants currently has a consensus target price of $48.33, suggesting a potential upside of 14.83%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus target price of $33.00, suggesting a potential upside of 2.17%. Given First Merchants' higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe First Merchants is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Merchants
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.92% compared to First Merchants' net margin of 18.87%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.09% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Merchants18.87% 9.58% 1.21%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.92%11.09%1.49%

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats First Merchants on 12 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does First Financial Bancorp. compare to Hancock Whitney?

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) and First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, media sentiment, profitability and institutional ownership.

81.2% of Hancock Whitney shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Hancock Whitney shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Hancock Whitney currently has a consensus price target of $78.43, indicating a potential upside of 8.18%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus price target of $33.00, indicating a potential upside of 2.17%. Given Hancock Whitney's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Hancock Whitney is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Hancock Whitney
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

Hancock Whitney has a beta of 0.95, suggesting that its share price is 5% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.93, suggesting that its share price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

Hancock Whitney has a net margin of 21.34% compared to First Financial Bancorp.'s net margin of 20.92%. Hancock Whitney's return on equity of 11.20% beat First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Hancock Whitney21.34% 11.20% 1.40%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.92%11.09%1.49%

Hancock Whitney pays an annual dividend of $2.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Hancock Whitney pays out 41.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Hancock Whitney has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years and First Financial Bancorp. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. First Financial Bancorp. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

In the previous week, Hancock Whitney had 2 more articles in the media than First Financial Bancorp.. MarketBeat recorded 14 mentions for Hancock Whitney and 12 mentions for First Financial Bancorp.. Hancock Whitney's average media sentiment score of 1.40 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of 0.39 indicating that Hancock Whitney is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Hancock Whitney
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
First Financial Bancorp.
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Hancock Whitney has higher revenue and earnings than First Financial Bancorp.. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hancock Whitney, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Hancock Whitney$1.44B4.10$486.07M$4.8714.89
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.69$255.60M$2.8311.41

Summary

Hancock Whitney beats First Financial Bancorp. on 15 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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FFBC vs. The Competition

MetricFirst Financial Bancorp.BANKS IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$3.39B$3.12B$13.86B$12.07B
Dividend Yield3.10%3.20%5.76%5.67%
P/E Ratio11.4111.1620.1724.42
Price / Sales2.693.04136.3186.26
Price / Cash10.2611.3119.5255.64
Price / Book1.151.272.246.80
Net Income$255.60M$217.16M$1.14B$338.00M
7 Day Performance4.70%2.90%1.32%2.68%
1 Month Performance7.27%6.20%1.35%1.56%
1 Year Performance38.33%30.26%12.62%30.59%

First Financial Bancorp. Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
3.0139 of 5 stars
$32.30
+1.6%
$33.00
+2.2%
+38.3%$3.39B$1.26B11.412,199
ABCB
Ameris Bancorp
2.8969 of 5 stars
$85.99
+0.7%
$90.17
+4.9%
+46.9%$5.78B$1.20B16.492,850
BUSE
First Busey
4.089 of 5 stars
$28.15
+1.2%
$27.50
-2.3%
+29.1%$2.38B$1.04B12.501,948
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
2.3715 of 5 stars
$58.92
+0.9%
$51.75
-12.2%
+40.9%$3.95B$1.38B12.141,268
FRME
First Merchants
4.208 of 5 stars
$40.56
+1.3%
$48.33
+19.2%
+17.0%$2.55B$1.05B11.922,086

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This page (NASDAQ:FFBC) was last updated on 6/14/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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