Photos and video to be posted later this afternoon.
For now, here’s the news release from First Financial Bank:
First Financial Announces Site of Regional Hub and Banking Center
The building will be renamed the First Financial Center at the Anthony Wayne Building(July 31, 2014) – First Financial Bank continues to grow in Fort Wayne and is proud to announce the site of its regional hub and downtown banking center. Located at 203 East Berry Street, this prominent building is in the central business district and is currently known as the Anthony Wayne Building. The building will be renamed the First Financial Center at the Anthony Wayne Building.
“This is an exciting day for all of us at First Financial. We’re proud to expand our presence in Fort Wayne,” said Rob Slusser, First Financial’s Fort Wayne market president. “The new regional hub provides us with the opportunity to establish the First Financial Center and provide permanent space for our corporate and sales associates. We also look forward to opening our first local banking center.”
First Financial entered a long-term lease agreement and will occupy a total of 9,700 square feet. Fort Wayne leadership and key commercial, mortgage and wealth management sales teams will have offices on the sixth floor. In addition, downtown clients, residents and visitors will enjoy a full complement of personal banking, business banking and wealth management solutions at a new banking center on the first floor of the building. Drive-thru and ATM services will also be available at the downtown banking center.
“I continue to be encouraged by the growth and redevelopment in downtown Fort Wayne. The investment being made by First Financial Bank is a great example of the unprecedented momentum we’re experiencing in our community,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. “Our collective commitment to making Fort Wayne a leader in economic development opportunities and job creation enhances our ability to make a meaningful difference for residents and businesses.”
“We are pleased that First Financial Bank has made a commitment to locate their Northeast Indiana banking center and regional hub in the Anthony Wayne Building in downtown Fort Wayne. We value their partnership and our shared vision of the potential that this iconic building offers,” said John Nichols, Partner RCI Development. “When we purchased this 50 year old building it was mostly vacant and in desperate need of revitalization. This announcement is the culmination of three years of hard work by RCI Development, BND Commercial Real Estate, Design Collaborative, Zumbrun Construction, and its subcontractors to revitalize a tired building and make it new again. We also want to thank Mayor Henry, City Council, and City and County Staff for their assistance and continued support which was vital to ensure the project’s success. We believe this is another step in the continued rejuvenation of downtown Fort Wayne and an enhancement to the quality of life for its citizens.”
In addition to the regional hub and downtown banking center, First Financial continues to review opportunities to bring additional First branded banking centers to the Fort Wayne area.
“Our team has been serving the Fort Wayne market for more than 25 years, and we are proud to grow with First Financial and the local community,” Slusser continued. “We look forward to bringing the First brand of banking to more residents and businesses throughout the area.”
About First Financial Bancorp
First Financial Bancorp is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of June 30, 2014, the Company had $6.5 billion in assets, $4.0 billion in loans, $4.9 billion in deposits and $706 million in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, N.A., founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its four lines of business: commercial, consumer, wealth management and mortgage. The commercial, consumer and mortgage units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. First Financial Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $2.5 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2014. The Company’s strategic operating markets are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky where it operates 105 banking centers. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations is available at www.bankatfirst.com.About the Anthony Wayne Building
For more information, visit www.awbcondos.com and www.rcidevelops.com.
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