First Financial reports record Q2 EPS of $0.80, raises dividend 4%, acquires Finward for $210M

Filed July 21, 2026 · Period ending July 21, 2026 · ~2 min read

Key Changes

• high

  Agreed to acquire Finward Bancorp for $210M in all-stock deal (1.35 exchange ratio, ~5.9M shares issued). Adds $2.0B assets, $1.7B deposits in Chicago/NW Indiana; expected 5% EPS accretion, 0.4% tangible book dilution, 0.6yr earnback. Close targeted Q4 2026 pending approvals.

  Item 1.01 — Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement verify on EDGAR →
• high

  Q2 2026 net income $76.5M or $0.73/share GAAP, $0.80/share adjusted (record high). Adjusted figure excludes $11.6M acquisition expenses and $0.7M tax credit writedowns. ROAA 1.50% adjusted, ROATCE 19.7% adjusted.

  Exhibit 99.1 view on EDGAR →
• medium

  Board raised quarterly dividend to $0.26/share from $0.25 (4% increase), payable Sept 15 to holders of record Sept 1.

  Exhibit 99.1 view on EDGAR →