First Bancorp (FBNC) vs First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) has outperformed First Bancorp (FBNC) over the past year, gaining 21.1% versus a gain of 17.9%. Over five years, FFBC leads with a +32.4% price change compared with +30.2% for FBNC. First Financial Bancorp. is the larger company by market cap ($3.28 billion vs $2.47 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, First Financial Bancorp. trades at a lower forward P/E (8.8x vs 11.9x for First Bancorp). First Financial Bancorp. offers the higher dividend yield (3.21% vs 1.57%). First Financial Bancorp. converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 319.4% versus 164.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | FBNC | FFBC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $59.73 | $31.20 |
| Market cap | $2.47B | $3.28B |
| 1-day change | +1.37% | +1.07% |
| YTD return | +17.60% | +24.70% |
| 1-year return | +17.88% | +21.07% |
| 5-year return | +30.19% | +32.37% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.55 | 10.91 |
| Forward P/E | 11.85 | 8.82 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.22 | $2.86 |
| Dividend yield | 1.57% | 3.21% |
| Annual dividend | $0.94 | $1.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $67.62M | $80.02M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -3.57% | +18.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $111.05M | $255.60M |
| Net margin | 164.22% | 319.43% |
| 52-week high | $66.78 | $36.25 |
| 52-week low | $45.96 | $23.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.56% | -13.93% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.52% | +21.79% |
| Average volume | 225.31K | 916.72K |
| Shares outstanding | 41.40M | 105.17M |
| Employees | 1,396 | 2,371 |
| Sector | Financial Services | Financial Services |
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- First Bancorp trades at a higher earnings multiple (18.5x vs 10.9x trailing P/E).
- First Financial Bancorp. offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.21% vs 1.57%).
- First Financial Bancorp. is more profitable, keeping 319.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 164.2 cents for First Bancorp.
- First Financial Bancorp. grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.30% vs -3.57%).
About First Bancorp
FBNC stock →First Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for First Bank that provides banking products and services for individuals and businesses. The company accepts deposit products, such as checking, savings, and money market accounts; and time deposits, including certificate of deposits and individual retirement accounts.
Financial Services · Banks - Regional · 1,396 employees
About First Financial Bancorp.
FFBC stock →First Financial Bancorp. operates as the bank holding company for First Financial Bank that provides commercial banking and banking-related services to individuals and businesses in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
Financial Services · Banks - Regional · 2,371 employees
FBNC vs FFBC FAQ
Which is bigger, First Bancorp or First Financial Bancorp.?
First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.28B compared with $2.47B for First Bancorp (FBNC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FBNC or FFBC?
FFBC returned +21.07% over the past 12 months, compared with +17.88% for FBNC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FBNC or FFBC?
FFBC has the lower trailing P/E at 10.9, versus 18.5 for FBNC. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, First Bancorp or First Financial Bancorp.?
First Financial Bancorp. has the higher yield at 3.21%, compared with 1.57% for First Bancorp.
Are First Bancorp and First Financial Bancorp. in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Banks - Regional industry within the Financial Services sector.