Vanguard Amends FFBC Stake; Remains Key Institutional Holder

TL;DR

**Vanguard still owns a big chunk of First Financial Bancorp, signaling institutional confidence.**

AI Summary

The Vanguard Group, a major investment firm, filed an amended SC 13G/A on February 13, 2024, indicating its ownership stake in First Financial Bancorp /OH/ (FFBC) as of December 29, 2023. This filing updates their previous disclosure, showing that Vanguard continues to be a significant institutional holder of FFBC common stock. This matters to investors because large institutional ownership by firms like Vanguard can signal confidence in the company's long-term prospects and provide a degree of stability to the stock.

Why It Matters

This filing confirms Vanguard's continued significant ownership in First Financial Bancorp, which can be a positive signal for current and prospective investors, indicating institutional confidence.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — This is a routine update from a large institutional investor and does not indicate any immediate significant risk or change in company fundamentals.

Analyst Insight

Investors should note Vanguard's continued presence as a major shareholder, which suggests a stable institutional backing for First Financial Bancorp. This information can be factored into a broader analysis of the company's investor base and long-term outlook.

Key Players & Entities

• The Vanguard Group (company) — reporting person and major institutional investor
• First Financial Bancorp /OH/ (company) — the issuer of the securities
• December 29, 2023 (date) — date of the event requiring the filing
• February 13, 2024 (date) — date the SC 13G/A amendment was filed

Forward-Looking Statements

• Vanguard will maintain a significant ownership stake in First Financial Bancorp. (The Vanguard Group) — high confidence, target: December 29, 2024

FAQ

Filing Documents

• tv0933-firstfinancialbancorp.htm (SC 13G/A) — 11KB
• 0001104659-24-020933.txt ( ) — 13KB

(a) - Name of Issuer

Item 1(a) - Name of Issuer: First Financial Bancorp

(b) - Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices

Item 1(b) - Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices: 255 East Fifth Street, Suite 700 Cincinnati, OH 45202

(a) - Name of Person Filing

Item 2(a) - Name of Person Filing: The Vanguard Group - 23-1945930

(b) – Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, residence

Item 2(b) – Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, residence: 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355

(c) – Citizenship

Item 2(c) – Citizenship: Pennsylvania

(d) - Title of Class of Securities

Item 2(d) - Title of Class of Securities: Common Stock

(e) - CUSIP Number

Item 2(e) - CUSIP Number 320209109

- Type of Filing

Item 3 - Type of Filing: This statement is being filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1. An investment adviser in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E).

- Ownership

Item 4 - Ownership: (a) Amount Beneficially Owned: (b) Percent of Class: (c) Number of shares as to which such person has: (i) sole power to vote or direct to vote: (ii) shared power to vote or direct to vote: (iii) sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of: (iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: Comments: The responses to questions 5 through 9 and 11 on the cover page(s) are incorporated by reference into this Item 4.

- Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

Item 5 - Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class: If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than 5 percent of the class of securities, check the following

- Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

Item 6 - Ownership of More Than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person: The Vanguard Group, Inc.'s clients, including investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed accounts, have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the securities reported herein. No one other person's interest in the securities reported herein is more than 5%. Item 7 - Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired The Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company: Not applicable

- Identification and Classification of Members of Group

Item 8 - Identification and Classification of Members of Group: Not applicable

- Notice of Dissolution of Group

Item 9 - Notice of Dissolution of Group: Not applicable

- Certification

Item 10 - Certification: By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under 240.14a-11. Signature After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Date: February 13, 2024 By /s/ Ashley Grim Name: Ashley Grim Title: Head of Global Fund Administration

View Full Filing

View this SC 13G/A filing on SEC EDGAR