First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) vs Mechanics Bancorp (MCHB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) has outperformed Mechanics Bancorp (MCHB) over the past year, gaining 19.4% versus a gain of 11.3%. Over five years, FFBC leads with a +31.0% price change compared with -65.6% for MCHB. First Financial Bancorp. is the larger company by market cap ($3.25 billion vs $3.24 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, First Financial Bancorp. trades at a lower forward P/E (8.7x vs 12.3x for Mechanics Bancorp). Mechanics Bancorp offers the higher dividend yield (8.97% vs 3.24%). Mechanics Bancorp converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 534.4% versus 319.4%.
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 | FFBC | MCHB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $30.87 | $14.61 |
| Market cap | $3.25B | $3.24B |
| 1-day change | -1.59% | -1.88% |
| YTD return | +23.38% | -0.14% |
| 1-year return | +19.42% | +11.27% |
| 5-year return | +30.97% | -65.63% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 10.91 | 11.41 |
| Forward P/E | 8.75 | 12.25 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.83 | $1.28 |
| Dividend yield | 3.24% | 8.97% |
| Annual dividend | $1.00 | $1.31 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $80.02M | $49.73M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.30% | +3.33% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $255.60M | $265.74M |
| Net margin | 319.43% | 534.39% |
| 52-week high | $36.25 | $17.38 |
| 52-week low | $23.06 | $12.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.84% | -15.94% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.64% | +18.96% |
| Average volume | 921.10K | 575.29K |
| Shares outstanding | 105.17M | 220.31M |
| Employees | 2,371 | 1,756 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Major Banks | Major Banks |
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
- Mechanics Bancorp offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (8.97% vs 3.24%).
- Mechanics Bancorp is more profitable, keeping 534.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 319.4 cents for First Financial Bancorp..
- First Financial Bancorp. grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.30% vs +3.33%).
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.
Finance · Major Banks · 2,371 employees
About Mechanics Bancorp
MCHB stock →Mechanics Bancorp operates as the holding company for Mechanics Bank that provides banking services in California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii.It offers various checking and savings accounts, retirement accounts, money market accounts, time certificates of deposit, and safe deposit boxes. The company also provides home loans, auto loans, term loans and lines of credit, owner occupied real estate lending services, small business lending loans, multi-family lending services; mortgage and consumer lending loans; commercial real estate loans; residential construction loans; private banking, such as loan program, personal lines of credit and investment management and trust lines of credit.
Finance · Major Banks · 1,756 employees
FFBC vs MCHB FAQ
Which is bigger, First Financial Bancorp. or Mechanics Bancorp?
First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.25B compared with $3.24B for Mechanics Bancorp (MCHB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FFBC or MCHB?
FFBC returned +19.42% over the past 12 months, compared with +11.27% for MCHB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FFBC or MCHB?
FFBC has the lower trailing P/E at 10.9, versus 11.4 for MCHB. 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 Financial Bancorp. or Mechanics Bancorp?
Mechanics Bancorp has the higher yield at 8.97%, compared with 3.24% for First Financial Bancorp..
Are First Financial Bancorp. and Mechanics Bancorp in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.