First Financial rises after $325 million deal for Westfield Bancorp

Regional lender First Financial Bancorp's FFBC.O shares rise 1.7% to $24.15 in early trading

First Financial will buy smaller rival Westfield Bancorp in a $325 million cash-and-stock deal from Ohio Farmers Insurance Company

Consideration includes $260 million in cash and about 2.75 million shares of First Financial

Deal will expand First Financial into a $20.6 billion Midwest-based institution

Transaction expected to close in Q4 and anticipated to boost First Financial's earnings by 12%

1 of 5 brokerages rate the stock "strong buy" and 4 "hold"; median PT $28 - data compiled by LSEG

As of last close, FFBC stock down 11.7% YTD