Finance
AT&T may be a defensive AI play, this strategist says
Bokeh Capital Partners founder and chief investment officer Kimberly Forrest tells Yahoo Finance Head of News Myles Udland and Freedom Capital Markets chief global strategist Jay Woods that AT&T (T) is among her top stock picks.
Forrest explains that the company is “one of the providers of the pipelines of the internet and they get paid for it,” which is especially important as artificial intelligence (AI) tech evolves.
To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Catalysts here.
US-based bank holding company First Financial Bancorp has completed its previously announced acquisition of Westfield Bancorp and its subsidiary, Westfield Bank.
In June, First Financial agreed to acquire Westfield Bancorp from Ohio Farmers Insurance Company in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $325m.
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With the addition of Westfield Bank, First Financial’s total assets now stand at $20.6bn, strengthening its presence in the Midwest region of the US.
The acquisition is said to expand First Financial’s commercial banking and wealth management services in Northeast Ohio.
Westfield Bank’s retail locations and related services will now operate as part of First Financial’s network.
These branches will retain their current branding until the completion of conversion process, which is expected to occur in March 2026.
The conversion will merge the two banks’ products, processes and operating systems.
Westfield Bank clients will continue to receive services through existing channels, and will receive information about account conversions in the coming months.
First Financial president and CEO Archie Brown said: “This is an exciting step in the growth of First Financial, as the addition of Westfield Bank opens new possibilities for growth and profitability for us in an attractive market.
“We can now bring our wide range of solutions in consumer, commercial, specialty lending and wealth management to new clients, while expanding our geographic footprint for our current clients.
“The First Financial team is thrilled to welcome the Westfield Bank team members to the First Financial family.”
The transaction follows First Financial’s recent expansion activities in the Midwest.
In 2023, the company established a commercial lending presence in Northeast Ohio.
Earlier this year, First Financial announced BankFinancial, the parent company of BankFinancial, National Association, in Chicago, Illinois.
Furthermore, the company has also established a commercial banking presence in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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