UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 6)*

 

 

First Financial Bancorp

(Name of Issuer)

Common Shares

(Title of Class of Securities)

320209109

(CUSIP Number)

September 30, 2024

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

 

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

☒ Rule 13d-1(b)

☐ Rule 13d-1(c)

☐ Rule 13d-1(d)

 

*

The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

 

CUSIP No. 320209109

 

 1.   

 Names of Reporting Persons

 

 Macquarie Group Limited

 2.  

 Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

 (a) ☒  (b) ☐

 

 3.  

 SEC Use Only

 

 4.  

 Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

 Sydney, New South Wales Australia

Number of

Shares

Beneficially 

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person

With

    5.    

 Sole Voting Power

 

 0

   6.   

 Shared Voting Power

 

 0

   7.   

 Sole Dispositive Power

 

 0

   8.   

 Shared Dispositive Power

 

 0

 9.   

 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

4,271,447 deemed beneficially owned due to reporting person’s ownership of Macquarie Management Holdings Inc. and Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust whose individual holdings are shown on the following forms.

10.  

 Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

 ☐

11.  

 Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

 

 4.47%

12.  

 Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

 HC

 

Page 2 of 13

CUSIP No. 320209109

 

 1.   

 Names of Reporting Persons

 

 Macquarie Management Holdings Inc

 2.  

 Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

 (a) ☒  (b) ☐

 

 3.  

 SEC Use Only

 

 4.  

 Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

 State of Delaware

Number of

Shares

Beneficially 

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person

With

    5.    

 Sole Voting Power

 

 4,271,447

   6.   

 Shared Voting Power

 

 0

   7.   

 Sole Dispositive Power

 

 4,271,447

   8.   

 Shared Dispositive Power

 

 0

 9.   

 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

4,271,447 deemed beneficially owned due to reporting person’s ownership of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust

10.  

 Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

 ☒

11.  

 Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

 

 4.47%

12.  

 Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

 HC

 

Page 3 of 13

CUSIP No. 320209109

 

 1.   

 Names of Reporting Persons

 

 Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust

 2.  

 Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

 (a) ☒  (b) ☐

 

 3.  

 SEC Use Only

 

 4.  

 Citizenship or Place of Organization

 

 State of Delaware

Number of

Shares

Beneficially 

Owned by

Each

Reporting

Person

With

    5.    

 Sole Voting Power

 

 4,271,447

   6.   

 Shared Voting Power

 

 0

   7.   

 Sole Dispositive Power

 

 4,271,447

   8.   

 Shared Dispositive Power

 

 0

 9.   

 Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

 

 4,271,447

10.  

 Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)

 

 ☒

11.  

 Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)

 

 4.47%

12.  

 Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

 

 IA

 

Page 4 of 13

Item 1.
   (a)  

Name of Issuer

First Financial Bancorp

   (b)  

Address of Issuer’s Principal Executive Offices

255 East 5th Street, Suite 800, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Item 2.
   (a)  

Name of Person Filing

This Schedule 13G is jointly filed by Macquarie Group Limited, Macquarie Management Holdings Inc and Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust

   (b)  

Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

The principal business address of Macquarie Group Limited is Level 1, 1 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The principal business address of Macquarie Management Holdings Inc. and Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust is 610 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

   (c)  

Citizenship

Macquarie Group Limited - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Corporation

Macquarie Management Holdings Inc., Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust– incorporated or formed under the laws of the State of Delaware.

   (d)  

Title of Class of Securities

Common Stock

   (e)  

CUSIP Number

320209109

Item 3.    If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
   (a)   ☐    Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
   (b)   ☐    Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
   (c)   ☐    Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
   (d)   ☐    Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
   (e)   ☒    An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
   (f)   ☐    An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
   (g)   ☒    A parent holding company or control person in accordance with §240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
   (h)   ☐    A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
   (i)   ☐    A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
   (j)   ☐    A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d–1(b)(1)(ii)(J);
   (k)   ☐    Group, in accordance with § 240.13d–1(b)(1)(ii)(K). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d–1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:____________________________

 

Page 5 of 13

Item 4.    Ownership
Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.
   (a)   

Amount beneficially owned:

See responses on the cover page hereto.

   (b)   

Percent of class:

See responses on the cover page hereto.

   (c)   

Number of shares as to which the person has:

 

      (i)   

Sole power to vote or to direct the vote

See responses on the cover page hereto.

      (ii)   

Shared power to vote or to direct the vote

0

      (iii)   

Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

See responses on the cover page hereto.

      (iv)   

Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

0

 

Item 5.

Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following 

 

Item 6.

Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

Not applicable.

 

Item 7.

Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company or Control Person

See Exhibit A.

 

Item 8.

Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.

Notice of Dissolution of Group

Not applicable.

 

Page 6 of 13

Item 10.

Certification

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

Signature

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Macquarie Group Limited    November 1, 2024
   Date
/s/ Philip Alexander    /s/ Charles Glorioso
Signature    Signature
      

Philip Alexander

Associate Director

   

Charles Glorioso

Division Director

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc.    November 1, 2024
   Date
/s/ Marty Wolin   
Signature   
    

Marty Wolin

Chief Compliance Officer

   

 

Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust    November 1, 2024
   Date
/s/ Marty Wolin   
Signature   
    

Marty Wolin

Chief Compliance Officer

   

 

 

Page 7 of 13

EXHIBIT A

AGREEMENT TO FILE JOINT ACQUISITION STATEMENTS

AGREEMENT made this [7th] day of FEBRUARY, 2024 by and between Delaware Funds by Macquarie,® Optimum Fund Trust and Macquarie ETF Trust listed on Annex A hereto, Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust, Macquarie Management Holdings, Inc, and the Macquarie Parties listed on Annex B hereto (collectively referred to as the “parties”).

WHEREAS, the parties hereto may be deemed to be the direct or indirect beneficial owners of the same equity securities for the purpose of the reporting requirements of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and

WHEREAS, the regulations promulgated under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act permit the joining of such beneficial owners in the filing of a single Joint Acquisition Statement reporting such ownership to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and each of the parties hereto intending to be legally bound, it is agreed as follows:

1. In the event that any two or more parties shall be deemed to be the direct or indirect beneficial owners of the same equity security required to be reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission such parties may join together in the filing of a Joint Acquisition Statement with respect to that security. Additional persons who may after the date hereof be deemed to be the direct or indirect beneficial owners of the same equity security as a party hereto and required to be reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (a “New Party”) may be added as a party this agreement by signing a counterpart hereof. An amendment to this agreement is deemed effective upon the signature of such new party and the amendment of the applicable Annex which may be affixed to this agreement as amended. Each party hereto agrees that this agreement, as it may be amended from time to time as provided herein, is a valid and binding agreement of each such party. 

2. With respect to each Joint Acquisition Statement in which a party joins, each party acknowledges that (a) it will be eligible under applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission to join in the filing and (b) it will be responsible for the timely filing of such statement and any amendments thereto and the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning such party; but each such party shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the other parties making the filing, unless such party knows or has reason to believe that such information with respect to such other parties is inaccurate.

3. The parties consent to the inclusion of a copy of this agreement as an exhibit to any Joint Acquisition Statement filed on behalf of any of them.

 

Page 8 of 13

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this agreement by their duly authorized officers as of the date set forth above.

DELAWARE FUNDS® BY MACQUARIE (listed on Annex A hereto)

MACQUARIE ETF TRUST

OPTIMUM FUND TRUST

ATTEST BY:

 

DELAWARE FUNDS BY MACQUARIE®

MACQUARIE ETF TRUST

/s/ Marty Wolin   /s/ David Connor
Signature   Signature
     
Marty Wolin   David Connor
Chief Compliance Officer   General Counsel

OPTIMUM FUND TRUST

  
/s/ William Speacht   /s/ A.G. Ciavarelli
Signature   Signature
     
William Speacht   A.G. Ciavarelli
Chief Compliance Officer   General Counsel
MACQUARIE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT BUSINESS TRUST
/s/ Marty Wolin   /s/ David Connor
Signature   Signature
     
Marty Wolin   David Connor
Chief Compliance Officer   General Counsel
MACQUARIE MANAGEMENT HOLDINGS, INC.
/s/ Marty Wolin   /s/ David Connor
Signature   Signature
     
Marty Wolin   David Connor
Chief Compliance Officer   General Counsel

 

Page 9 of 13

THE MACQUARIE PARTIES (LISTED ON ANNEX B HERETO)

ATTEST BY:

 

/s/ Philip Alexander    /s/ Charles Glorioso
Signature    Signature
      
Philip Alexander    Charles Glorioso
Associate Director    Division Director

 

Page 10 of 13

Annex A— Delaware Funds by Macquarie® and Macquarie ETF Trust

Delaware Group® Adviser Funds

Delaware Group® Cash Reserve

Delaware Group® Equity Funds II

Delaware Group® Equity Funds IV

Delaware Group® Equity Funds V

Delaware Group® Global & International Funds

Delaware Group® Government Fund

Delaware Group® Income Funds

Delaware Group® Limited-Term Government Funds

Delaware Group® State Tax-Free Income Trust

Delaware Group® Tax-Free Fund

Delaware Pooled® Trust

Delaware VIP® Trust

Voyageur Insured Funds

Voyageur Intermediate Tax Free Funds

Voyageur Mutual Funds

Voyageur Mutual Funds II

Voyageur Mutual Funds III

Voyageur Tax Free Funds

Ivy Funds

Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios

Macquarie ETF Trust

Optimum Fund Trust

 

Page 11 of 13

Annex B — the Macquarie Parties

Macquarie Group Limited

Macquarie Bank Limited

Macquarie Asset Management Holdings Pty Limited

Macquarie Asset Management US Holdings Pty Limited

Macquarie Affiliated Managers (USA) Inc.

Macquarie Affiliated Managers Holdings (USA) Inc.

Macquarie Americas Holdings Pty Ltd.

Macquarie B.H. Pty Limited

Macquarie FG Holdings Inc.

Macquarie Funding Holdings LLC

Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited

Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG

Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited

 

Page 12 of 13

EXHIBIT B

Powers of Attorney for Macquarie Group Limited incorporated by reference to 13G filings made by Macquarie Group Limited on June 7, 2023.

 

Page 13 of 13

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