Ohio's First Financial Teases Out 4Q Forecast in CFO Announcement

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) in Cincinnati gave investors a sneak peek at its fourth-quarter results while announcing a key management shift.

The $6.2 billion-asset company said Friday that Anthony Stollings had succeeded J. Franklin Hall as its chief financial officer. Stollings has been the company's chief risk officer since 2011. Hall, who has also been the chief operating officer, will leave First Financial at the end of April. Hall's departure "is unrelated to the company's financial condition, financial reporting practices or investments," First Financial said in a press release.

First Financial used the release to provide a glimpse into its fourth-quarter results, stating that it expects to report earnings per share between 26 cents and 28 cents. That would slightly surpass the average analysts' estimate of 25 cents, according to Bloomberg. The company said it expects to report 14% annualized growth in uncovered loans and a stable net interest margin.

The company will officially report earnings on Jan. 29.

Claude Davis, the company's president and chief executive, will handle the role of chief operating officer, a company spokeswoman said. Hall "has been an influential leader with a key focus on company-wide financial and operational disciplines, and we wish him well in his future endeavors," Davis said in a press release. Stolling's "leadership skills, strategic insights and financial acumen will be important contributors to our future success."