THFF, US3202181000

First Financial names CFO successor: what it means for First Financial stock

Published on 10/05/2026 at 22:27 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

First Financial names Paul Nungester CFO from January 1, 2027. For First Financial stock this means a USD 0.56 dividend payable October 15, 2026.

THFF, US3202181000, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

First Financial Corporation (ISIN US3202181000) named Paul D. Nungester, Jr. as its next chief financial officer, effective January 1, 2027. According to StockTitan on September 17, 2026, current CFO Rodger A. McHargue will retire on December 31, 2026, after serving as CFO since 2010.

What the CFO change means

Nungester joined First Financial on August 10, 2026 as senior vice president and director of finance, giving the transition a direct internal handoff. His prior role as chief financial officer of Premier Financial Corporation adds a banking finance background to the succession plan, while McHargue's retirement date creates a defined transfer period.

The employment agreement for Nungester began on September 1, 2026 and provides a USD 375,000 annual base salary through June 30, 2028, subject to bonus and benefit eligibility. The board's timetable places the leadership change after the third quarter and before the bank's 2027 operating year.

Dividend adds a cash return

First Financial also declared a quarterly cash dividend of USD 0.56 per share on September 17, 2026. MarketBeat reported that the payment is scheduled for October 15, 2026 to shareholders of record on October 1, 2026, with an annualized payout of USD 2.24.

The most recent reported operating figures came from the second quarter of 2026. According to StockTitan, net income rose from USD 18.6 million in the second quarter of 2025 to USD 22.7 million in the second quarter of 2026, while diluted earnings per share increased from USD 1.57 to USD 1.91. Net interest income reached USD 61.2 million and the net interest margin was 4.33 percent.

Market value and yearly range

First Financial had a market capitalization of USD 888.4 million as of October 5, 2026. Its 52-week range was USD 51.21 to USD 84.17, putting the current market value below the year's upper boundary while the bank continues to combine balance-sheet expansion with a leadership transition.

At the Nasdaq, THFF was last at USD 74.71 on October 5, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The company is classified in Financial Services and operates as the bank holding company for First Financial Bank, serving customers across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia.