EXCLUSIVE—Cincinnati-based bank First Financial has officially merged with Mainsource Financial Group, a deal that will grow the bank’s asset size to approximately $14 billion, the bank announced today.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The merger will give First Financial an addition 150 bank centers to add to its network; MSFG, which is based in Indiana, will continue to operate its branches under its branding until mid-2018, the bank said in today’s press release. MSFG’s integration into First Financial will also bring 55,000 ATMs under the bank’s control, as well as provide the bank with a greater presence in financial services.
As one of the older banks in the U.S. (it was founded in the late 1800s), First National’s merger should provide the bank with more of the resources necessary to further enhance its technology suite.
While the bank has a mobile app available for both Apple and Android users –the bank was one of the first to support photo bill pay on mobile back in 2013— it does not disclose its mobile active user numbers. The app has more than 50,000 downloads for Android users, according to Google Play (Apple did not provide any such statistics, though the bank does support Apple Pay on its mobile app).
First National did not state that mobile would be one of the areas MSFG’s platform would upgrade, the bank will use MSFG’s resources to provide further product offerings, Archie M. Brown, Jr., president and CEO for First Financial Bank, said today in a statement.
Brown said:
We are excited to combine two community-focused financial institutions who are both significantly involved in the markets they serve. We look forward to providing our clients with additional lending capabilities and expanded product offerings while continuing to deliver a high-quality and personal level of service.
Bank Innovation has reached out to First National for further comment.






