Finward Bancorp jumps on $208 million buyout deal from First Financial Bancorp

Finward Bancorp

22/07/2026 15:46

** Community lender Finward Bancorp's FNWD.O shares jump 20.8% to $44.08
** Regional lender First Financial Bancorp FFBC.O will buy smaller rival FNWD in a $208 million all-stock deal, the companies announced late Tuesday
** FNWD shareholders will receive 1.35 shares of First Financial for each share held
** Buying FNWD will bolster FFBC's presence in northwest Indiana and Chicago markets
** FFBC stock down 6%
** "Recent success with the Westfield and BankFinancial acquisitions should provide investors with confidence that First Financial will efficiently close and integrate Finward into the First Financial platform, achieving the financial targets," Stephens analyst Brandon Rud said
** Deal expected to close in Q4 2026 and poised to boost FFBC's profit per share by 5%
** Up to last close, FNWD shares up 3.7% YTD

 (Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)
 ((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com;))