First Financial Bank Celebrates Back-to-Back Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards Recognition

First Financial Bank, a prominent financial institution based in Cincinnati, Ohio, has achieved a remarkable feat by being celebrated as a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner for two consecutive years. This prestigious recognition emphasizes the bank's unwavering dedication to fostering an exceptional workplace culture that prioritizes the development of its employees.

In a statement released by Archie Brown, the president and CEO of First Financial, he expressed profound pride in receiving the award again, noting it as evidence of the bank's ongoing commitment to creating a positive and engaging work environment for its associates. Brown stated, "We make it a priority to create a workplace where associates can develop personally and professionally, which leads to higher engagement and job satisfaction and exceptional customer care."

The Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award is awarded to only a few select organizations globally, making this recognition even more significant for First Financial Bank. Gallup's extensive research has shown that the bank successfully nurtures a thriving, high-performance culture that values every employee's contributions, making them feel recognized and valued in their roles. This commitment is an essential aspect of an evolving banking landscape that requires adaptability and proficient service delivery.

Notably, just 4% of Gallup’s clients received this prestigious award, highlighting the uniqueness of First Financial's accomplishment. The recognition was awarded across two categories: engagement and strengths development. The engagement category reflects how effectively First Financial integrates employee engagement initiatives throughout every stage of the employee life cycle. This approach not only enhances employee participation but also contributes to a vibrant enthusiasm towards their work.

Meanwhile, the strengths development recognition indicates the bank’s consistent focus on leveraging the inherent strengths of its leaders, managers, and employees to cultivate a productive operational environment. This dual approach signifies the bank's holistic strategy to enhance workplace satisfaction while achieving business objectives.

The Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award has been recognizing leading workplace cultures for nearly twenty years, and First Financial's consecutive wins testify to its commitment to remain at the forefront of employee engagement strategies.

About First Financial Bancorp

First Financial Bancorp serves as the holding company for First Financial Bank. As of the end of December 2025, the company boasts impressive financial figures, including $21.1 billion in assets, $13.4 billion in loans, and $16.4 billion in deposits. Established in 1863, First Financial Bank offers an extensive suite of banking and financial services across multiple sectors, including Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, Wealth Management, and more. By engaging with diverse clientele—both business and retail—the bank continues to solidify its standing in the financial market.

The wealth management division, responsible for managing approximately $3.9 billion in assets as of late 2025, provides a range of services from trust and estate planning to portfolio management. Currently, First Financial operates 134 full-service banking centers across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois, alongside its Commercial Finance division which serves targeted industries on a national scale.

In addition to its latest Gallup award, First Financial Bank received an Outstanding rating from the Federal Reserve for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act. This recognition further punctuates the bank’s exemplary service commitment to both employees and the community.

As First Financial Bank looks to the future, its focus on creating a robust, supportive, and engaging workplace will undoubtedly continue to yield positive results for employees and clients alike, reinforcing its reputation as one of the leading banking institutions in the industry.