2.50% 25-Month CD at First Financial Bank in OH, IN & Other States - Local Only

First Financial Bank has a few competitive CD specials. The best ones include a 2.50% APY 25-month CD and a 3.00% APY 42-month Flex CD. The 25-month special requires a $10,000 minimum deposit. The Flex CD has a $500 minimum deposit. It has the option during the term to convert the CD to a 12-month CD with the 12-month CD rate. Other CD specials include a 2.00% APY 19-month CD and a 1.50% APY 13-month CD. Both have a $10,000 minimum deposit. These specials are not listed at the bank's website. A reader mentioned these to me, and I called the bank on Friday. According to the CSR, these specials are available at all branches. The CSR didn't know how much longer these would last, but they usually update rates on Tuesdays.

A branch visit is required to open an account. Most of the branches are located in Ohio and Indiana. The FDIC also shows branches in several other states including California and Arizona. These may be the branches that First Financial acquired when Irwin Union Bank failed in September.

First Financial Bank's ratings for safety and soundness are a little above average: 4 stars (excellent) at BauerFinancial (based on 9/30/09 data) and 3 stars (performing) at Bankrate.com (based on 6/30/09 data). The bank has been a FDIC member since 1934 (FDIC Certificate # 6600).

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