First Financial Bancorp Nominates Dawn Morris and Andre Porter to Board of Directors, as Corinne Finnerty to Retire

Rhea-AI Summary

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) has nominated Dawn Morris and Andre Porter for election to its Board of Directors, with voting set for May 23, 2023. Morris brings extensive banking experience and innovation expertise, while Porter offers diverse leadership skills from both public and private sectors. Current board member Corinne Finnerty will retire at the end of her term, concluding over two decades of service. As of December 31, 2022, First Financial Bancorp held assets of $17.0 billion, loans of $10.3 billion, and deposits of $12.7 billion.

Positive

• Dawn Morris and Andre Porter bring valuable experience and perspectives to the board.
• Morris's background in banking and transformation aligns with the company's growth strategy.
• Porter's expertise in regulatory strategy and governance enhances board capabilities.

Negative

• The retirement of Corinne Finnerty may create continuity concerns due to her long tenure.

CINCINNATI, March 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Financial Bancorp's (Nasdaq: FFBC) Board of Directors has nominated Dawn Morris and Andre Porter as directors, with elections on their positions to take place during the board's annual meeting of shareholders scheduled on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

"Dawn and Andre are both excellent nominees to join the First Financial Board of Directors," said Claude Davis, chairman. "Dawn brings valuable experience in banking and broad expertise in business transformation and innovation, while Andre has extensive and varied business and leadership experience from both the private and public sectors."

First Financial CEO Archie Brown also commended the nominations. "Dawn's impressive accomplishments in the financial services sector position her well to offer valuable insights as we deliver relevant and customized solutions for our clients," Brown said. "Andre's business, legal and state government expertise should also serve us well in the areas of regulatory strategy, governance, corporate and personnel strategy, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) plans."

Mrs. Morris, 55, is the founder and CEO of Growth Partners Group, a strategic consulting firm in Florida, serving clients in strategic business transformation and innovation. Prior to opening the firm, she was the chief digital and marketing officer for First Horizon Bank in Tennessee. Mrs. Morris worked previously as executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Webster Bank, after holding earlier roles with RBS Citizens Financial Group and RBC Bank. She is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served as a captain in the Army.

Mr. Porter, 43, is senior vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary at Indiana-based Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which is responsible for an energy market that transmits electricity to 15 states. In previous roles, he served as chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, PUCO commissioner, and an attorney in private practice. Mr. Porter is chairman of the board at Capital University, where he has been a member of the board since 2007 and from which he earned his bachelor's degree. He holds his J.D. from The Ohio State University.

First Financial also announces that Corinne Finnerty will retire from the board when her current term expires, at the end of the board meeting on May 23. Ms. Finnerty joined the board of First Financial in 1998.

"The board expresses our sincere gratitude to Corinne for more than two decades of service," Davis said. "Corinne has provided trusted and valued guidance through numerous economic cycles as First Financial has grown to help more clients and communities thrive."

About First Financial Bancorp.
First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $17.0 billion in assets, $10.3 billion in loans, $12.7 billion in deposits and $2.0 billion in shareholders' equity. The Company's subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $3.2 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2022. The Company operated 132 full service banking centers as of December 31, 2022, located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

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SOURCE First Financial Bancorp.

FAQ

What is the significance of the board nominations at First Financial Bancorp?

The nominations of Dawn Morris and Andre Porter are significant as they aim to bring fresh perspectives and enhance the company's strategic direction.

When will the shareholder meeting for First Financial Bancorp take place?

The annual meeting of shareholders for First Financial Bancorp is scheduled for May 23, 2023.

Who is retiring from the First Financial Bancorp board?

Corinne Finnerty will retire from the board at the end of her term on May 23, 2023.

What are the backgrounds of Dawn Morris and Andre Porter?

Dawn Morris is a banking expert focused on innovation, while Andre Porter has extensive leadership experience in both public and private sectors.

How has First Financial Bancorp performed financially as of December 31, 2022?

As of December 31, 2022, First Financial Bancorp reported $17.0 billion in assets, $10.3 billion in loans, and $12.7 billion in deposits.