According to a First Financial Bancorp press release, dated April 24, the company will close 12 offices, including Burlington. The closures will occur at the end of the third quarter (September) and are subject to regulatory approval.

First Financial Bancorp is the parent company of Sand Ridge Bank. Employees were reportedly notified of the planned closing on April 21. First Financial recently completed

a branch evaluation and made the decision to either sell or close 19 offices in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky. The move, according to the release, is part of the company's strategic plan which includes serving a combination of metropolitan and non-metropolitan markets in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

After the branch plan is completed, First Financial will have 87 offices serving nine distinct markets with an average branch size of approximately $33 million.