First Financial Bancorp 8-K: Executive Appointments and Compensatory Plan Changes

First Financial Bancorp filed a Form 8-K on September 14, 2026, reporting executive leadership changes as part of its long-term succession planning initiative. The Board appointed James M. Anderson, age 55, as President of the Company and First Financial Bank, while he retains his Chief Financial Officer role; he will no longer serve as Chief Operating Officer. Archie M. Brown retains his role as Chief Executive Officer of both entities. The Board also appointed Amanda N. Neeley, age 46, as Chief Banking Officer and Malcolm A. Myers, age 59, as Chief Operating Officer. In connection with these appointments, the Compensation Committee approved changes to executive compensation, including base salary increases for Messrs. Anderson and Neeley and Ms. Woods, increased short-term and long-term incentive targets, and one-time time-based restricted stock grants totaling $6.25 million in grant date value to five executives (including Mr. Brown at $3,000,000), vesting fully on the third anniversary of the grant date. Additionally, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment and non-competition agreement with Mr. Brown and amended and restated Severance and Change in Control Agreements with key executives, enhancing severance and change-in-control benefits to align with peer bank practices.