First Financial Bancorp

01/27/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/27/2022 15:19

First Financial Bancorp Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results and Quarterly Dividend - Form 8-K

First Financial Bancorp Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021
Financial Results and Quarterly Dividend

•Earnings per diluted share of $0.50; $0.58 on an adjusted(1) basis
•Return on average assets of 1.16%; 1.34% on an adjusted(1) basis
•Closed acquisition of Summit Funding Group
•$143.6 million of commercial loan sales during the quarter
•Loan growth of $148.8 million, excluding decline in PPP loans, loan sales, Summit acquisition(2)
•Classified assets declined 36.7%; Provision recapture of $7.7 million
•Announces $0.23 per share Quarterly Dividend and Board authorizes repurchase of up to 5 million shares

Cincinnati, Ohio - January 27, 2022. First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) ("First Financial" or the "Company") announced financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2021.

For the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company reported net income of $46.9 million, or $0.50 per diluted common share. These results compare to net income of $60.0 million, or $0.63 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2021 and $48.3 million, or $0.49 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2020. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, First Financial had earnings per diluted common share of $2.14 compared to $1.59 for the same period in 2020.

Return on average assets for the fourth quarter of 2021 was 1.16% while return on average tangible common equity was 15.11%(1). These compare to returns on average assets of 1.49% and 1.20%, and returns on average tangible common equity of 19.03%(1) and 15.50%(1), in the third quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2020, respectively.

Fourth quarter 2021 highlights include:

•Closed the acquisition of Summit Funding Group(2)
◦$116.2 million in leases acquired; $42.3 million financing leases, $73.9 million operating leases
◦$63.0 million of goodwill and $34.6 million of other intangible assets created

•Loan balances declined $72.6 million from the third quarter
◦Core loan balances increased $148.8 million(2), or 6.3% on an annualized basis, excluding PPP forgiveness of $120.2 million and $143.6 million of loan sales during the quarter, which were partially offset by acquisition of $42.3(2) million in Summit finance leases
◦Record production during the quarter of $1.3 billion in commitments

•Net interest margin of 3.23% on a fully tax-equivalent basis(1) in line with expectations
◦9 basis point decrease from linked quarter driven by PPP forgiveness which offset increase in other loan fees during the period

________________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Financial information in this release that is described as "adjusted" or that is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis is non-GAAP. For details on the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the GAAP financial measure, see the sections titled "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this release and "Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation" in the accompanying slide presentation.

(2)The fair value measurements of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Summit acquisition are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information relative to closing date fair values becomes available.


•Noninterest income of $45.7 million, or $45.4 million as adjusted(1)
◦Record Bannockburn income of $12.8 million
◦Wealth management fees of $6.0 million
◦Other noninterest income increased $1.1 million, or 23.9%; driven by syndication fees

•Noninterest expenses of $109.6 million, or $94.1 million as adjusted(1)
◦Adjustments(1) include:
▪$6.1 million reclassification of tax credit investment write-downs
▪$4.1 million of acquisition related costs
▪$3.5 million litigation settlement
▪$1.9 million of other costs not expected to recur such as branch consolidation and severance costs
◦Increase in expenses driven by incentive compensation tied to the Company's strong financial performance
◦Efficiency ratio of 70.1%; 60.2% as adjusted(1)

•Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $145.4 million; Total quarterly provision recapture of $7.7 million
◦Loans and leases - ACL of $132.0 million, 1.42% of total loans
◦Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $13.4 million
◦Provision recapture driven by improvements in economic conditions and declining classified asset balances
◦Sold $133.9 million of hotel loans in an effort to address portfolio concentrations, resulting in $9.2 million of net charge-offs

•Strong capital ratios
◦Total capital of 14.10%
◦Tier 1 common equity of 10.84%
◦Tangible common equity of 7.58%(1)
◦Tangible book value per share of $12.26(1)

Additionally, First Financial's board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program in replacement of the previously authorized program, pursuant to which management is authorized to purchase up to 5 million shares over the next two years. The board of directors also approved a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per common share for the next regularly scheduled dividend, payable on March 15, 2022 to shareholders of record as of March 1, 2022.

Archie Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to announce another quarter of strong financial results that was a fitting end to an exceptional year highlighted by robust earnings, strong fee income, provision recapture, improved credit trends and the acquisition of Summit Funding Group."

Mr. Brown continued, "Fourth quarter results remained strong across the board, with adjusted(1) earnings per share of $0.58, return on assets of 1.34% and an efficiency ratio of 60.2%. These results were driven by provision recapture of $7.7 million, resulting from improving credit quality trends, specifically, a 36.7% decline in classified asset balances, and stable economic conditions. Earnings were also positively impacted by record Bannockburn income and elevated wealth management revenues. In addition, we were very encouraged by strong core loan growth and record origination activity during the period."

Mr. Brown added, "We were also very excited to announce and close our acquisition of Summit Funding Group during the quarter. Summit has developed long-standing relationships across the country and demonstrated the ability to produce high-quality and consistent lease origination volumes. We are confident in Summit's ability to leverage its nimble platform to provide our existing clients additional leasing products and we believe the culture will fit seamlessly into First Financial."

Mr. Brown commented regarding the Company's full year financial performance, "2021 was an exceptional year. PPP income offset the pressure from a historically low interest rate environment, while low credit costs drove strong earnings and reflected credit trends that improved dramatically over the course of the year. In addition, we had record fee income in 2021, which was particularly satisfying, given our strategic focus on diversifying our revenue streams in recent years. We successfully managed expenses, while continuing to invest in technology and rewarding our people for our strong results. Loan production in the back half of the year was very encouraging as was the continued growth in low cost deposits. Our capital ratios remain strong and we delivered industry leading returns through aggressively repurchasing shares and maintaining our common dividend."

Mr. Brown concluded, "All of this was accomplished amidst a continuing pandemic. Once again, our associates demonstrated their resilience and delivered the type of service and results that our clients and shareholders have come to expect. In 2022, we will maintain our focus on being a positive influence that helps our clients and communities thrive, and capitalize on the financial momentum achieved in 2021."

Full detail of the Company's fourth quarter 2021 performance is provided in the accompanying financial statements and slide presentation.


Teleconference / Webcast Information
First Financial's executive management will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial and operating results on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (844) 200-6205 (U.S. toll free), (646) 904-5544 (U.S. local) or +1 (929) 526-1599 (International), access code 080098. The number should be dialed five to ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning one hour after the completion of the live call at (866) 813-9403 (U.S. toll free), (929) 458-6194 (U.S. local) and +44 204 525-0658 (all other locations), access code 245117. The recording will be available until February 11, 2022. The conference call will also be accessible as an audio webcast via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.bankatfirst.com. The webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website for 12 months.

Press Release and Additional Information on Website
This press release as well as supplemental information are available to the public through the Investor Relations section of First Financial's website at www.bankatfirst.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This earnings release contains GAAP financial measures and Non-GAAP financial measures where management believes it to be helpful in understanding the Company's results of operations or financial position. Where Non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measures, as well as a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the section titled "Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation" in the accompanying slide presentation.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this report which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as ''believes,'' ''anticipates,'' "likely," "expected," "estimated," ''intends'' and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make about (i) our future operating or financial performance, including revenues, income or loss and earnings or loss per share, (ii) future common stock dividends, (iii) our capital structure, including future capital levels, (iv) our plans, objectives and strategies, and (v) the assumptions that underlie our forward-looking statements.

As with any forecast or projection, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead express only management's beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management's control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include the following, without limitation:

•economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with the Company's business;
•future credit quality and performance, including our expectations regarding future loan losses and our allowance for credit losses
•the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other legislation and regulation relating to the banking industry;
•Management's ability to effectively execute its business plans;
•mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies;
•the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Company's acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period;
•the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices;
•changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving and changes in unemployment;
•changes in customers' performance and creditworthiness;
•the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation;

•current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of declines in housing prices, high unemployment rates, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, and any slowdown in global economic growth;
•the adverse impact on the U.S. economy, including the markets in which we operate, of the novel coronavirus, which causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19"), global pandemic, and the impact of a slowing U.S. economy and increased unemployment on the performance of our loan and lease portfolio, the market value of our investment securities, the availability of sources of funding and the demand for our products;
•our capital and liquidity requirements (including under regulatory capital standards, such as the Basel III capital standards) and our ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;
•financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on our revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulation relating to bank products and services;
•the effect of the current interest rate environment or changes in interest rates or in the level or composition of our assets or liabilities on our net interest income, net interest margin and our mortgage originations, mortgage servicing rights and mortgage loans held for sale;
•the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our brokerage, asset and wealth management businesses;
•a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks;
•the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on our funding costs and net interest margin; and
•our ability to develop and execute effective business plans and strategies.

Additional factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as our other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

All forward-looking statements included in this filing are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available at the time of the filing. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

About First Financial Bancorp.
First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $16.3 billion in assets, $9.3 billion in loans, $12.9 billion in deposits and $2.3 billion in shareholders' equity. The Company's subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $3.4 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2021. The Company operated 139 full service banking centers as of December 31, 2021, primarily in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

Contact Information
Investors/AnalystsMedia
Jamie Anderson Tim Condron
Chief Financial Officer Marketing Communications Manager
(513) 887-5400 (513) 979-5796
[email protected]@bankatfirst.com


Selected Financial Information
December 31, 2021
(unaudited)

Contents Page
Consolidated Financial Highlights 2
Consolidated Statements of Income 3
Consolidated Quarterly Statements of Income 4-5
Consolidated Statements of Condition 6
Average Consolidated Statements of Condition 7
Net Interest Margin Rate / Volume Analysis 8-9
Credit Quality 10
Capital Adequacy 11



FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended, Twelve months ended,
Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, December 31,
2021 2021 2021 2021 2020 2021 2020
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income $ 46,945 $ 60,012 $ 50,888 $ 47,315 $ 48,312 $ 205,160 $ 155,810
Net earnings per share - basic $ 0.51 $ 0.64 $ 0.53 $ 0.49 $ 0.50 $ 2.16 $ 1.60
Net earnings per share - diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.63 $ 0.52 $ 0.48 $ 0.49 $ 2.14 $ 1.59
Dividends declared per share $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.92 $ 0.92
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets 1.16 % 1.49 % 1.26 % 1.20 % 1.20 % 1.28 % 1.00 %
Return on average shareholders' equity 8.31 % 10.53 % 9.02 % 8.44 % 8.52 % 9.08 % 7.02 %
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (1)
15.11 % 19.03 % 16.31 % 15.24 % 15.50 % 16.43 % 12.97 %
Net interest margin 3.19 % 3.28 % 3.27 % 3.35 % 3.45 % 3.27 % 3.46 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)(2)
3.23 % 3.32 % 3.31 % 3.40 % 3.49 % 3.31 % 3.51 %
Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets 13.83 % 14.01 % 14.15 % 13.97 % 14.29 % 13.83 % 14.29 %
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets (1)
7.58 % 8.21 % 8.37 % 8.22 % 8.47 % 7.58 % 8.47 %
Risk-weighted assets (1)
9.91 % 10.76 % 11.12 % 11.02 % 11.29 % 9.91 % 11.29 %
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets 13.98 % 14.14 % 13.96 % 14.17 % 14.07 % 14.06 % 14.30 %
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of
average tangible assets (1)
8.20 % 8.35 % 8.23 % 8.38 % 8.26 % 8.29 % 8.28 %
Book value per share $ 23.99 $ 23.85 $ 23.59 $ 23.16 $ 23.28 $ 23.99 $ 23.28
Tangible book value per share (1)
$ 12.26 $ 13.09 $ 13.08 $ 12.78 $ 12.93 $ 12.26 $ 12.93
Common equity tier 1 ratio (3)
10.84 % 11.54 % 11.78 % 11.81 % 11.82 % 10.84 % 11.82 %
Tier 1 ratio (3)
11.22 % 11.92 % 12.16 % 12.19 % 12.20 % 11.22 % 12.20 %
Total capital ratio (3)
14.10 % 14.97 % 15.31 % 15.41 % 15.55 % 14.10 % 15.55 %
Leverage ratio (3)
8.70 % 9.05 % 9.14 % 9.34 % 9.55 % 8.70 % 9.55 %
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans (4)
$ 9,283,227 $ 9,502,750 $ 9,831,965 $ 9,951,855 $ 10,127,881 $ 9,640,235 $ 9,902,656
Investment securities 4,343,513 4,189,253 4,130,207 3,782,993 3,403,839 4,113,240 3,212,051
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks 166,904 32,400 45,593 46,912 143,884 73,170 78,943
Total earning assets $ 13,793,644 $ 13,724,403 $ 14,007,765 $ 13,781,760 $ 13,675,604 $ 13,826,645 $ 13,193,650
Total assets $ 16,036,417 $ 15,995,808 $ 16,215,469 $ 16,042,654 $ 16,030,986 $ 16,072,360 $ 15,529,144
Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 4,191,457 $ 3,981,404 $ 4,003,626 $ 3,840,046 $ 3,720,417 $ 4,005,034 $ 3,310,483
Interest-bearing deposits 8,693,792 8,685,949 8,707,553 8,531,822 8,204,306 8,655,308 8,054,687
Total deposits $ 12,885,249 $ 12,667,353 $ 12,711,179 $ 12,371,868 $ 11,924,723 $ 12,660,342 $ 11,365,170
Borrowings $ 396,743 $ 562,964 $ 749,114 $ 886,379 $ 1,307,461 $ 647,223 $ 1,458,701
Shareholders' equity $ 2,241,820 $ 2,261,293 $ 2,263,687 $ 2,272,749 $ 2,256,062 $ 2,259,807 $ 2,220,645
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans 1.42 % 1.59 % 1.68 % 1.71 % 1.77 % 1.42 % 1.77 %
Allowance to nonaccrual loans 272.76 % 225.73 % 184.77 % 199.33 % 217.55 % 272.76 % 217.55 %
Allowance to nonperforming loans 219.96 % 192.35 % 162.12 % 175.44 % 199.97 % 219.96 % 199.97 %
Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.65 % 0.83 % 1.03 % 0.97 % 0.89 % 0.65 % 0.89 %
Nonaccrual loans to total loans 0.52 % 0.70 % 0.91 % 0.86 % 0.82 % 0.52 % 0.82 %
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO 0.65 % 0.83 % 1.04 % 0.98 % 0.90 % 0.65 % 0.90 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets 0.37 % 0.49 % 0.62 % 0.60 % 0.56 % 0.37 % 0.56 %
Classified assets to total assets 0.64 % 1.04 % 1.14 % 1.22 % 0.89 % 0.64 % 0.89 %
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized) 0.32 % 0.10 % 0.23 % 0.38 % 0.26 % 0.26 % 0.14 %

(1) Non-GAAP measure. For details on the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the GAAP financial measure, see the sections titled "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this release and "Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation" in the accompanying slide presentation.
(2) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin and net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.
(3) December 31, 2021 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.
(4) Includes loans held for sale.
2

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended, Twelve months ended,
December 31, December 31,
2021 2020 % Change 2021 2020 % Change
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees $ 92,682 $ 106,733 (13.2) % $ 385,535 $ 431,657 (10.7) %
Investment securities
Taxable 20,993 18,402 14.1 % 79,212 73,789 7.3 %
Tax-exempt 4,127 4,839 (14.7) % 18,323 19,242 (4.8) %
Total investment securities interest 25,120 23,241 8.1 % 97,535 93,031 4.8 %
Other earning assets 71 55 29.1 % 147 275 (46.5) %
Total interest income 117,873 130,029 (9.3) % 483,217 524,963 (8.0) %
Interest expense
Deposits 3,089 5,920 (47.8) % 14,435 41,922 (65.6) %
Short-term borrowings 10 30 (66.7) % 198 6,442 (96.9) %
Long-term borrowings 3,968 5,606 (29.2) % 16,466 20,088 (18.0) %
Total interest expense 7,067 11,556 (38.8) % 31,099 68,452 (54.6) %
Net interest income 110,806 118,473 (6.5) % 452,118 456,511 (1.0) %
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases (9,525) 13,758 N/M (19,024) 70,796 N/M
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments 1,799 (2,250) N/M 903 (237) N/M
Net interest income after provision for credit losses 118,532 106,965 10.8 % 470,239 385,952 21.8 %
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts 8,645 7,654 12.9 % 31,876 29,446 8.3 %
Trust and wealth management fees 6,038 5,395 11.9 % 23,780 21,286 11.7 %
Bankcard income 3,602 3,060 17.7 % 14,300 11,726 22.0 %
Client derivative fees 2,303 2,021 14.0 % 7,927 10,313 (23.1) %
Foreign exchange income 12,808 12,305 4.1 % 44,793 39,377 13.8 %
Net gains from sales of loans 6,492 13,089 (50.4) % 33,021 51,176 (35.5) %
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities (14) 4,618 (100.3) % (759) 4,563 (116.6) %
Net gain (loss) on equity securities 321 8,975 (96.4) % 702 9,045 (92.2) %
Other 5,465 4,398 24.3 % 15,866 12,191 30.1 %
Total noninterest income 45,660 61,515 (25.8) % 171,506 189,123 (9.3) %
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits 62,170 62,263 (0.1) % 245,924 236,779 3.9 %
Net occupancy 5,332 6,159 (13.4) % 22,142 23,266 (4.8) %
Furniture and equipment 3,161 3,596 (12.1) % 13,819 14,968 (7.7) %
Data processing 8,261 7,269 13.6 % 31,363 27,514 14.0 %
Marketing 2,152 1,999 7.7 % 7,983 6,414 24.5 %
Communication 677 840 (19.4) % 2,930 3,492 (16.1) %
Professional services 5,998 3,038 97.4 % 11,676 9,961 17.2 %
Debt extinguishment 0 7,257 (100.0) % 0 7,257 (100.0) %
State intangible tax 651 1,514 (57.0) % 4,256 6,058 (29.7) %
FDIC assessments 1,453 1,065 36.4 % 5,630 5,110 10.2 %
Intangible amortization 2,401 2,764 (13.1) % 9,839 11,126 (11.6) %
Other 17,349 17,034 1.8 % 45,250 38,719 16.9 %
Total noninterest expenses 109,605 114,798 (4.5) % 400,812 390,664 2.6 %
Income before income taxes 54,587 53,682 1.7 % 240,933 184,411 30.7 %
Income tax expense 7,642 5,370 42.3 % 35,773 28,601 25.1 %
Net income $ 46,945 $ 48,312 (2.8) % $ 205,160 $ 155,810 31.7 %
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic $ 0.51 $ 0.50 $ 2.16 $ 1.60
Net earnings per share - diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.49 $ 2.14 $ 1.59
Dividends declared per share $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.92 $ 0.92
Return on average assets 1.16 % 1.20 % 1.28 % 1.00 %
Return on average shareholders' equity 8.31 % 8.52 % 9.08 % 7.02 %
Interest income $ 117,873 $ 130,029 (9.3) % $ 483,217 $ 524,963 (8.0) %
Tax equivalent adjustment 1,386 1,613 (14.1) % 6,091 6,529 (6.7) %
Interest income - tax equivalent 119,259 131,642 (9.4) % 489,308 531,492 (7.9) %
Interest expense 7,067 11,556 (38.8) % 31,099 68,452 (54.6) %
Net interest income - tax equivalent $ 112,192 $ 120,086 (6.6) % $ 458,209 $ 463,040 (1.0) %
Net interest margin 3.19 % 3.45 % 3.27 % 3.46 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)
3.23 % 3.49 % 3.31 % 3.51 %
Full-time equivalent employees 1,994 2,075
(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.
3

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
2021
Fourth Third Second First Year to % Change
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Date Linked Qtr.
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees $ 92,682 $ 96,428 $ 97,494 $ 98,931 $ 385,535 (3.9) %
Investment securities
Taxable 20,993 20,088 19,524 18,607 79,212 4.5 %
Tax-exempt 4,127 4,282 4,871 5,043 18,323 (3.6) %
Total investment securities interest 25,120 24,370 24,395 23,650 97,535 3.1 %
Other earning assets 71 23 25 28 147 208.7 %
Total interest income 117,873 120,821 121,914 122,609 483,217 (2.4) %
Interest expense
Deposits 3,089 3,320 3,693 4,333 14,435 (7.0) %
Short-term borrowings 10 68 53 67 198 (85.3) %
Long-term borrowings 3,968 4,023 4,142 4,333 16,466 (1.4) %
Total interest expense 7,067 7,411 7,888 8,733 31,099 (4.6) %
Net interest income 110,806 113,410 114,026 113,876 452,118 (2.3) %
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases (9,525) (8,193) (4,756) 3,450 (19,024) 16.3 %
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments 1,799 (1,951) 517 538 903 N/M
Net interest income after provision for credit losses 118,532 123,554 118,265 109,888 470,239 (4.1) %
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts 8,645 8,548 7,537 7,146 31,876 1.1 %
Trust and wealth management fees 6,038 5,896 6,216 5,630 23,780 2.4 %
Bankcard income 3,602 3,838 3,732 3,128 14,300 (6.1) %
Client derivative fees 2,303 2,273 1,795 1,556 7,927 1.3 %
Foreign exchange income 12,808 9,191 12,037 10,757 44,793 39.4 %
Net gains from sales of loans 6,492 8,586 8,489 9,454 33,021 (24.4) %
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities (14) (314) (265) (166) (759) (95.5) %
Net gain (loss) on equity securities 321 108 161 112 702 197.2 %
Other 5,465 4,411 3,285 2,705 15,866 23.9 %
Total noninterest income 45,660 42,537 42,987 40,322 171,506 7.3 %
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits 62,170 61,717 60,784 61,253 245,924 0.7 %
Net occupancy 5,332 5,571 5,535 5,704 22,142 (4.3) %
Furniture and equipment 3,161 3,318 3,371 3,969 13,819 (4.7) %
Data processing 8,261 7,951 7,864 7,287 31,363 3.9 %
Marketing 2,152 2,435 2,035 1,361 7,983 (11.6) %
Communication 677 669 746 838 2,930 1.2 %
Professional services 5,998 2,199 2,029 1,450 11,676 172.8 %
State intangible tax 651 1,202 1,201 1,202 4,256 (45.8) %
FDIC assessments 1,453 1,466 1,362 1,349 5,630 (0.9) %
Intangible amortization 2,401 2,479 2,480 2,479 9,839 (3.1) %
Other 17,349 10,051 12,236 5,614 45,250 72.6 %
Total noninterest expenses 109,605 99,058 99,643 92,506 400,812 10.6 %
Income before income taxes 54,587 67,033 61,609 57,704 240,933 (18.6) %
Income tax expense 7,642 7,021 10,721 10,389 35,773 8.8 %
Net income $ 46,945 $ 60,012 $ 50,888 $ 47,315 $ 205,160 (21.8) %
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic $ 0.51 $ 0.64 $ 0.53 $ 0.49 $ 2.16
Net earnings per share - diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.63 $ 0.52 $ 0.48 $ 2.14
Dividends declared per share $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.92
Return on average assets 1.16 % 1.49 % 1.26 % 1.20 % 1.28 %
Return on average shareholders' equity 8.31 % 10.53 % 9.02 % 8.44 % 9.08 %
Interest income $ 117,873 $ 120,821 $ 121,914 $ 122,609 $ 483,217 (2.4) %
Tax equivalent adjustment 1,386 1,434 1,619 1,652 6,091 (3.3) %
Interest income - tax equivalent 119,259 122,255 123,533 124,261 489,308 (2.5) %
Interest expense 7,067 7,411 7,888 8,733 31,099 (4.6) %
Net interest income - tax equivalent $ 112,192 $ 114,844 $ 115,645 $ 115,528 $ 458,209 (2.3) %
Net interest margin 3.19 % 3.28 % 3.27 % 3.35 % 3.27 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)
3.23 % 3.32 % 3.31 % 3.40 % 3.31 %
Full-time equivalent employees 1,994 2,026 2,053 2,063
(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.
4

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
2020
Fourth Third Second First Full
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Year
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees $ 106,733 $ 103,249 $ 105,900 $ 115,775 $ 431,657
Investment securities
Taxable 18,402 17,906 18,476 19,005 73,789
Tax-exempt 4,839 4,884 4,937 4,582 19,242
Total investment securities interest 23,241 22,790 23,413 23,587 93,031
Other earning assets 55 31 47 142 275
Total interest income 130,029 126,070 129,360 139,504 524,963
Interest expense
Deposits 5,920 7,886 11,751 16,365 41,922
Short-term borrowings 30 51 1,274 5,087 6,442
Long-term borrowings 5,606 5,953 4,759 3,770 20,088
Total interest expense 11,556 13,890 17,784 25,222 68,452
Net interest income 118,473 112,180 111,576 114,282 456,511
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases 13,758 15,299 17,859 23,880 70,796
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments (2,250) (1,925) 2,370 1,568 (237)
Net interest income after provision for credit losses 106,965 98,806 91,347 88,834 385,952
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts 7,654 7,356 6,001 8,435 29,446
Trust and wealth management fees 5,395 4,940 5,254 5,697 21,286
Bankcard income 3,060 3,124 2,844 2,698 11,726
Client derivative fees 2,021 2,203 2,984 3,105 10,313
Foreign exchange income 12,305 10,530 6,576 9,966 39,377
Net gains from sales of loans 13,089 18,594 16,662 2,831 51,176
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities 4,618 2 2 (59) 4,563
Net gain (loss) on equity securities 8,975 18 150 (98) 9,045
Other 4,398 2,732 2,252 2,809 12,191
Total noninterest income 61,515 49,499 42,725 35,384 189,123
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits 62,263 63,769 55,925 54,822 236,779
Net occupancy 6,159 5,625 5,378 6,104 23,266
Furniture and equipment 3,596 3,638 3,681 4,053 14,968
Data processing 7,269 6,837 7,019 6,389 27,514
Marketing 1,999 1,856 1,339 1,220 6,414
Communication 840 855 907 890 3,492
Professional services 3,038 2,443 2,205 2,275 9,961
Debt extinguishment 7,257 0 0 0 7,257
State intangible tax 1,514 1,514 1,514 1,516 6,058
FDIC assessments 1,065 1,350 1,290 1,405 5,110
Intangible amortization 2,764 2,779 2,791 2,792 11,126
Other 17,034 6,845 6,640 8,200 38,719
Total noninterest expenses 114,798 97,511 88,689 89,666 390,664
Income before income taxes 53,682 50,794 45,383 34,552 184,411
Income tax expense (benefit) 5,370 9,317 7,990 5,924 28,601
Net income $ 48,312 $ 41,477 $ 37,393 $ 28,628 $ 155,810
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic $ 0.50 $ 0.43 $ 0.38 $ 0.29 $ 1.60
Net earnings per share - diluted $ 0.49 $ 0.42 $ 0.38 $ 0.29 $ 1.59
Dividends declared per share $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.23 $ 0.92
Return on average assets 1.20 % 1.04 % 0.96 % 0.79 % 1.00 %
Return on average shareholders' equity 8.52 % 7.40 % 6.88 % 5.21 % 7.02 %
Interest income $ 130,029 $ 126,070 $ 129,360 $ 139,504 $ 524,963
Tax equivalent adjustment 1,613 1,628 1,664 1,624 6,529
Interest income - tax equivalent 131,642 127,698 131,024 141,128 531,492
Interest expense 11,556 13,890 17,784 25,222 68,452
Net interest income - tax equivalent $ 120,086 $ 113,808 $ 113,240 $ 115,906 $ 463,040
Net interest margin 3.45 % 3.32 % 3.38 % 3.71 % 3.46 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)
3.49 % 3.36 % 3.44 % 3.77 % 3.51 %
Full-time equivalent employees 2,075 2,065 2,076 2,067
(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.
5

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, % Change % Change
2021 2021 2021 2021 2020 Linked Qtr. Comp Qtr.
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks $ 220,031 $ 209,748 $ 206,918 $ 210,191 $ 231,054 4.9 % (4.8) %
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks 214,811 29,799 38,610 19,180 20,305 620.9 % 957.9 %
Investment securities available-for-sale 4,207,846 4,114,094 3,955,839 3,753,763 3,424,580 2.3 % 22.9 %
Investment securities held-to-maturity 98,420 103,886 112,456 121,945 131,687 (5.3) % (25.3) %
Other investments 102,971 97,831 129,432 131,814 133,198 5.3 % (22.7) %
Loans held for sale 29,482 33,835 31,546 34,590 41,103 (12.9) % (28.3) %
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial 2,720,028 2,602,848 2,701,203 3,044,825 3,007,509 4.5 % (9.6) %
Lease financing 109,624 67,855 68,229 66,574 72,987 61.6 % 50.2 %
Construction real estate 455,894 477,004 630,329 642,709 636,096 (4.4) % (28.3) %
Commercial real estate 4,226,614 4,438,374 4,332,561 4,396,582 4,307,858 (4.8) % (1.9) %
Residential real estate 896,069 922,492 932,112 946,522 1,003,086 (2.9) % (10.7) %
Home equity 708,399 709,050 711,756 709,667 743,099 (0.1) % (4.7) %
Installment 119,454 96,077 89,143 82,421 81,850 24.3 % 45.9 %
Credit card 52,217 47,231 46,177 44,669 48,485 10.6 % 7.7 %
Total loans 9,288,299 9,360,931 9,511,510 9,933,969 9,900,970 (0.8) % (6.2) %
Less:
Allowance for credit losses (131,992) (148,903) (159,590) (169,923) (175,679) (11.4) % (24.9) %
Net loans 9,156,307 9,212,028 9,351,920 9,764,046 9,725,291 (0.6) % (5.9) %
Premises and equipment 193,040 192,580 192,238 204,537 207,211 0.2 % (6.8) %
Operating leases 73,857 0 0 0 0 N/M N/M
Goodwill 1,000,749 937,771 937,771 937,771 937,771 6.7 % 6.7 %
Other intangibles 88,898 56,811 59,391 61,984 64,552 56.5 % 37.7 %
Accrued interest and other assets 942,729 968,210 1,021,798 935,250 1,056,382 (2.6) % (10.8) %
Total Assets $ 16,329,141 $ 15,956,593 $ 16,037,919 $ 16,175,071 $ 15,973,134 2.3 % 2.2 %
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand $ 3,198,745 $ 2,916,860 $ 2,963,151 $ 2,914,761 $ 2,914,787 9.7 % 9.7 %
Savings 4,157,374 4,223,905 4,093,229 4,006,181 3,680,774 (1.6) % 12.9 %
Time 1,330,263 1,517,419 1,548,109 1,731,757 1,872,733 (12.3) % (29.0) %
Total interest-bearing deposits 8,686,382 8,658,184 8,604,489 8,652,699 8,468,294 0.3 % 2.6 %
Noninterest-bearing 4,185,572 4,019,197 3,901,691 3,995,370 3,763,709 4.1 % 11.2 %
Total deposits 12,871,954 12,677,381 12,506,180 12,648,069 12,232,003 1.5 % 5.2 %
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase 51,203 81,850 255,791 181,387 166,594 (37.4) % (69.3) %
FHLB short-term borrowings 225,000 107,000 217,000 0 0 110.3 % N/M
Other 20,000 0 0 0 0 N/M N/M
Total short-term borrowings 296,203 188,850 472,791 181,387 166,594 56.8 % 77.8 %
Long-term debt 409,832 313,230 313,039 583,722 776,202 30.8 % (47.2) %
Total borrowed funds 706,035 502,080 785,830 765,109 942,796 40.6 % (25.1) %
Accrued interest and other liabilities 492,210 540,962 476,402 502,951 516,265 (9.0) % (4.7) %
Total Liabilities 14,070,199 13,720,423 13,768,412 13,916,129 13,691,064 2.5 % 2.8 %
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock 1,640,358 1,637,065 1,635,470 1,633,137 1,638,947 0.2 % 0.1 %
Retained earnings 837,473 812,082 773,857 745,220 720,429 3.1 % 16.2 %
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (433) 14,230 30,735 18,101 48,664 (103.0) % (100.9) %
Treasury stock, at cost (218,456) (227,207) (170,555) (137,516) (125,970) (3.9) % 73.4 %
Total Shareholders' Equity 2,258,942 2,236,170 2,269,507 2,258,942 2,282,070 1.0 % (1.0) %
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 16,329,141 $ 15,956,593 $ 16,037,919 $ 16,175,071 $ 15,973,134 2.3 % 2.2 %

6

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Quarterly Averages Year-to-Date Averages
Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
2021 2021 2021 2021 2020 2021 2020
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks $ 253,091 $ 245,212 $ 237,964 $ 232,275 $ 228,427 $ 242,201 $ 245,436
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks 166,904 32,400 45,593 46,912 143,884 73,170 78,943
Investment securities 4,343,513 4,189,253 4,130,207 3,782,993 3,403,839 4,113,240 3,212,051
Loans held for sale 24,491 28,365 28,348 29,689 42,402 27,711 34,390
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial 2,552,686 2,634,306 2,953,185 3,029,716 3,182,749 2,790,733 2,999,223
Lease financing 67,537 67,159 66,124 70,508 74,107 67,822 79,882
Construction real estate 460,588 567,091 630,351 647,655 608,401 575,883 535,740
Commercial real estate 4,391,328 4,413,003 4,372,679 4,339,349 4,313,408 4,379,325 4,317,396
Residential real estate 917,399 937,969 940,600 980,718 1,022,701 943,981 1,043,040
Home equity 709,954 710,794 707,409 726,134 752,425 713,521 764,436
Installment 106,188 93,937 84,768 81,377 83,509 91,642 81,451
Credit card 53,056 50,126 48,501 46,709 48,179 49,617 47,098
Total loans 9,258,736 9,474,385 9,803,617 9,922,166 10,085,479 9,612,524 9,868,266
Less:
Allowance for credit losses (144,756) (157,727) (169,979) (177,863) (172,201) (162,477) (153,596)
Net loans 9,113,980 9,316,658 9,633,638 9,744,303 9,913,278 9,450,047 9,714,670
Premises and equipment 192,941 193,775 200,558 206,628 208,800 198,425 212,413
Operating leases 801 0 0 0 0 202 0
Goodwill 938,453 937,771 937,771 937,771 937,771 937,943 937,771
Other intangibles 56,120 58,314 60,929 63,529 66,195 59,699 70,600
Accrued interest and other assets 946,123 994,060 940,461 998,554 1,086,390 969,722 1,022,870
Total Assets $ 16,036,417 $ 15,995,808 $ 16,215,469 $ 16,042,654 $ 16,030,986 $ 16,072,360 $ 15,529,144
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand $ 3,069,416 $ 2,960,388 $ 2,973,930 $ 2,948,682 $ 2,812,748 $ 2,988,359 $ 2,626,252
Savings 4,195,504 4,150,610 4,096,077 3,815,314 3,547,179 4,065,654 3,260,882
Time 1,428,872 1,574,951 1,637,546 1,767,826 1,844,379 1,601,295 2,167,553
Total interest-bearing deposits 8,693,792 8,685,949 8,707,553 8,531,822 8,204,306 8,655,308 8,054,687
Noninterest-bearing 4,191,457 3,981,404 4,003,626 3,840,046 3,720,417 4,005,034 3,310,483
Total deposits 12,885,249 12,667,353 12,711,179 12,371,868 11,924,723 12,660,342 11,365,170
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase 79,382 186,401 194,478 184,483 136,795 160,967 149,036
FHLB short-term borrowings 2,445 63,463 40,846 67,222 7,937 43,371 441,867
Other 654 0 0 0 0 165 0
Total short-term borrowings 82,481 249,864 235,324 251,705 144,732 204,503 590,903
Long-term debt 314,262 313,100 513,790 634,674 1,162,729 442,720 867,798
Total borrowed funds 396,743 562,964 749,114 886,379 1,307,461 647,223 1,458,701
Accrued interest and other liabilities 512,605 504,198 491,489 511,658 542,740 504,988 484,628
Total Liabilities 13,794,597 13,734,515 13,951,782 13,769,905 13,774,924 13,812,553 13,308,499
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock 1,637,828 1,635,833 1,633,950 1,636,884 1,638,032 1,636,126 1,636,850
Retained earnings 822,500 783,760 754,456 726,351 703,257 772,063 675,503
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 8,542 36,917 25,832 42,253 40,960 28,317 33,228
Treasury stock, at cost (227,050) (195,217) (150,551) (132,739) (126,187) (176,699) (124,936)
Total Shareholders' Equity 2,241,820 2,261,293 2,263,687 2,272,749 2,256,062 2,259,807 2,220,645
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $ 16,036,417 $ 15,995,808 $ 16,215,469 $ 16,042,654 $ 16,030,986 $ 16,072,360 $ 15,529,144

7

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Quarterly Averages Year-to-Date Averages
December 31, 2021 September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
Balance Yield Balance Yield Balance Yield Balance Yield Balance Yield
Earning assets
Investments:
Investment securities $ 4,343,513 2.29 % $ 4,189,253 2.31 % $ 3,403,839 2.71 % $ 4,113,240 2.37 % $ 3,212,051 2.90 %
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks 166,904 0.17 % 32,400 0.28 % 143,884 0.15 % 73,170 0.20 % 78,943 0.35 %
Gross loans (1)
9,283,227 3.96 % 9,502,750 4.03 % 10,127,881 4.18 % 9,640,235 4.00 % 9,902,656 4.36 %
Total earning assets 13,793,644 3.39 % 13,724,403 3.49 % 13,675,604 3.77 % 13,826,645 3.49 % 13,193,650 3.98 %
Nonearning assets
Allowance for credit losses (144,756) (157,727) (172,201) (162,477) (153,596)
Cash and due from banks 253,091 245,212 228,427 242,201 245,436
Accrued interest and other assets 2,134,438 2,183,920 2,299,156 2,165,991 2,243,654
Total assets $ 16,036,417 $ 15,995,808 $ 16,030,986 $ 16,072,360 $ 15,529,144
Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand $ 3,069,416 0.06 % $ 2,960,388 0.06 % $ 2,812,748 0.08 % $ 2,988,359 0.06 % $ 2,626,252 0.17 %
Savings 4,195,504 0.09 % 4,150,610 0.09 % 3,547,179 0.15 % 4,065,654 0.10 % 3,260,882 0.22 %
Time 1,428,872 0.48 % 1,574,951 0.49 % 1,844,379 0.86 % 1,601,295 0.52 % 2,167,553 1.39 %
Total interest-bearing deposits 8,693,792 0.14 % 8,685,949 0.15 % 8,204,306 0.29 % 8,655,308 0.17 % 8,054,687 0.52 %
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings 82,481 0.05 % 249,864 0.11 % 144,732 0.08 % 204,503 0.10 % 590,903 1.09 %
Long-term debt 314,262 5.01 % 313,100 5.10 % 1,162,729 1.91 % 442,720 3.72 % 867,798 2.31 %
Total borrowed funds 396,743 3.98 % 562,964 2.88 % 1,307,461 1.71 % 647,223 2.57 % 1,458,701 1.82 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities 9,090,535 0.31 % 9,248,913 0.32 % 9,511,767 0.48 % 9,302,531 0.33 % 9,513,388 0.72 %
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits 4,191,457 3,981,404 3,720,417 4,005,034 3,310,483
Other liabilities 512,605 504,198 542,740 504,988 484,628
Shareholders' equity 2,241,820 2,261,293 2,256,062 2,259,807 2,220,645
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity $ 16,036,417 $ 15,995,808 $ 16,030,986 $ 16,072,360 $ 15,529,144
Net interest income $ 110,806 $ 113,410 $ 118,473 $ 452,118 $ 456,511
Net interest spread 3.08 % 3.17 % 3.29 % 3.16 % 3.26 %
Net interest margin 3.19 % 3.28 % 3.45 % 3.27 % 3.46 %
Tax equivalent adjustment 0.04 % 0.04 % 0.04 % 0.04 % 0.05 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) 3.23 % 3.32 % 3.49 % 3.31 % 3.51 %
(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.
8

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS (1)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Linked Qtr. Income Variance Comparable Qtr. Income Variance Year-to-Date Income Variance
Rate Volume Total Rate Volume Total Rate Volume Total
Earning assets
Investment securities $ (142) $ 892 $ 750 $ (3,555) $ 5,434 $ 1,879 $ (16,865) $ 21,369 $ 4,504
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks (9) 57 48 6 10 16 (116) (12) (128)
Gross loans (2)
(1,554) (2,192) (3,746) (5,618) (8,433) (14,051) (35,627) (10,495) (46,122)
Total earning assets (1,705) (1,243) (2,948) (9,167) (2,989) (12,156) (52,608) 10,862 (41,746)
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits $ (234) $ 3 $ (231) $ (3,005) $ 174 $ (2,831) $ (28,489) $ 1,002 $ (27,487)
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings (38) (20) (58) (12) (8) (20) (5,870) (374) (6,244)
Long-term debt (70) 15 (55) 9,075 (10,713) (1,638) 12,188 (15,810) (3,622)
Total borrowed funds (108) (5) (113) 9,063 (10,721) (1,658) 6,318 (16,184) (9,866)
Total interest-bearing liabilities (342) (2) (344) 6,058 (10,547) (4,489) (22,171) (15,182) (37,353)
Net interest income (1)
$ (1,363) $ (1,241) $ (2,604) $ (15,225) $ 7,558 $ (7,667) $ (30,437) $ 26,044 $ (4,393)
(1) Not tax equivalent.
(2) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

9

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CREDIT QUALITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Full Year Full Year
2021 2021 2021 2021 2020 2021 2020
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period $ 148,903 $ 159,590 $ 169,923 $ 175,679 $ 168,544 $ 175,679 $ 57,650
Day one adoption impact of ASC 326 0 0 0 0 0 0 61,505
Purchase accounting ACL for PCD 17 0 0 0 0 17 0
Provision for credit losses (9,525) (8,193) (4,756) 3,450 13,758 (19,024) 70,796
Gross charge-offs
Commercial and industrial 1,364 2,617 3,729 7,910 1,505 15,620 5,345
Lease financing 0 0 0 0 0 0 852
Construction real estate 1,496 0 0 2 0 1,498 0
Commercial real estate 9,150 1,030 2,041 1,250 6,270 13,471 12,100
Residential real estate 6 74 46 1 203 127 488
Home equity 22 200 240 611 386 1,073 1,541
Installment 184 37 77 36 21 334 148
Credit card 149 230 179 222 169 780 885
Total gross charge-offs 12,371 4,188 6,312 10,032 8,554 32,903 21,359
Recoveries
Commercial and industrial 201 869 205 337 367 1,612 2,907
Lease financing 0 0 0 0 (6) 0 0
Construction real estate 0 0 3 0 3 3 17
Commercial real estate 4,292 223 75 195 844 4,785 2,262
Residential real estate 74 56 54 44 145 228 381
Home equity 303 426 317 177 428 1,223 1,132
Installment 27 53 37 34 65 151 158
Credit card 71 67 44 39 85 221 230
Total recoveries 4,968 1,694 735 826 1,931 8,223 7,087
Total net charge-offs 7,403 2,494 5,577 9,206 6,623 24,680 14,272
Ending allowance for credit losses $ 131,992 $ 148,903 $ 159,590 $ 169,923 $ 175,679 $ 131,992 $ 175,679
NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
Commercial and industrial 0.18 % 0.26 % 0.48 % 1.01 % 0.14 % 0.50 % 0.08 %
Lease financing 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.03 % 0.00 % 1.07 %
Construction real estate 1.29 % 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.26 % 0.00 %
Commercial real estate 0.44 % 0.07 % 0.18 % 0.10 % 0.50 % 0.20 % 0.23 %
Residential real estate (0.03) % 0.01 % 0.00 % (0.02) % 0.02 % (0.01) % 0.01 %
Home equity (0.16) % (0.13) % (0.04) % 0.24 % (0.02) % (0.02) % 0.05 %
Installment 0.59 % (0.07) % 0.19 % 0.01 % (0.21) % 0.20 % (0.01) %
Credit card 0.58 % 1.29 % 1.12 % 1.59 % 0.69 % 1.13 % 1.39 %
Total net charge-offs 0.32 % 0.10 % 0.23 % 0.38 % 0.26 % 0.26 % 0.14 %
COMPONENTS OF NONPERFORMING LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual loans (1)
Commercial and industrial $ 17,362 $ 15,160 $ 27,426 $ 24,941 $ 29,230 $ 17,362 $ 29,230
Lease financing 203 0 16 0 0 203 0
Construction real estate 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Commercial real estate 19,512 38,564 45,957 44,514 34,682 19,512 34,682
Residential real estate 8,305 9,416 9,480 11,359 11,601 8,305 11,601
Home equity 2,922 2,735 3,376 4,286 5,076 2,922 5,076
Installment 88 91 115 146 163 88 163
Nonaccrual loans 48,392 65,966 86,370 85,246 80,752 48,392 80,752
Accruing troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) 11,616 11,448 12,070 11,608 7,099 11,616 7,099
Total nonperforming loans 60,008 77,414 98,440 96,854 87,851 60,008 87,851
Other real estate owned (OREO) 98 340 340 854 1,287 98 1,287
Total nonperforming assets 60,106 77,754 98,780 97,708 89,138 60,106 89,138
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more 137 104 155 92 169 137 169
Total underperforming assets $ 60,243 $ 77,858 $ 98,935 $ 97,800 $ 89,307 $ 60,243 $ 89,307
Total classified assets $ 104,815 $ 165,462 $ 182,516 $ 196,782 $ 142,021 $ 104,815 $ 142,021
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for credit losses to
Nonaccrual loans 272.76 % 225.73 % 184.77 % 199.33 % 217.55 % 272.76 % 217.55 %
Nonperforming loans 219.96 % 192.35 % 162.12 % 175.44 % 199.97 % 219.96 % 199.97 %
Total ending loans 1.42 % 1.59 % 1.68 % 1.71 % 1.77 % 1.42 % 1.77 %
Nonperforming loans to total loans 0.65 % 0.83 % 1.03 % 0.97 % 0.89 % 0.65 % 0.89 %
Nonaccrual loans to total loans 0.52 % 0.70 % 0.91 % 0.86 % 0.82 % 0.52 % 0.82 %
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO 0.65 % 0.83 % 1.04 % 0.98 % 0.90 % 0.65 % 0.90 %
Total assets 0.37 % 0.49 % 0.62 % 0.60 % 0.56 % 0.37 % 0.56 %
Nonperforming assets, excluding accruing TDRs to
Ending loans, plus OREO 0.52 % 0.71 % 0.91 % 0.87 % 0.83 % 0.52 % 0.83 %
Total assets 0.30 % 0.42 % 0.54 % 0.53 % 0.51 % 0.30 % 0.51 %
Classified assets to total assets 0.64 % 1.04 % 1.14 % 1.22 % 0.89 % 0.64 % 0.89 %
(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $16.0 million, $20.3 million, $21.5 million, $20.9 million, and $14.7 million, as of December 31, 2021, September 30, 2021, June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.
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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Twelve months ended,
Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
2021 2021 2021 2021 2020 2021 2020
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
High $ 25.79 $ 24.06 $ 26.02 $ 26.40 $ 17.77 $ 26.40 $ 25.52
Low $ 22.89 $ 21.48 $ 23.35 $ 17.62 $ 12.07 $ 17.62 $ 11.40
Close $ 24.38 $ 23.41 $ 23.63 $ 24.00 $ 17.53 $ 24.38 $ 17.53
Average shares outstanding - basic 92,903,900 94,289,097 96,123,645 96,873,940 97,253,787 95,034,690 97,363,952
Average shares outstanding - diluted 93,761,909 95,143,930 97,009,712 97,727,527 98,020,534 95,897,385 98,093,098
Ending shares outstanding 94,149,240 93,742,797 96,199,509 97,517,693 98,021,929 94,149,240 98,021,929
Total shareholders' equity $ 2,258,942 $ 2,236,170 $ 2,269,507 $ 2,258,942 $ 2,282,070 $ 2,258,942 $ 2,282,070
REGULATORY CAPITAL Preliminary Preliminary
Common equity tier 1 capital $ 1,262,789 $ 1,316,059 $ 1,333,209 $ 1,334,882 $ 1,325,922 $ 1,262,789 $ 1,325,922
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio 10.84 % 11.54 % 11.78 % 11.81 % 11.82 % 10.84 % 11.82 %
Tier 1 capital $ 1,306,571 $ 1,359,297 $ 1,376,333 $ 1,377,892 $ 1,368,818 $ 1,306,571 $ 1,368,818
Tier 1 ratio 11.22 % 11.92 % 12.16 % 12.19 % 12.20 % 11.22 % 12.20 %
Total capital $ 1,642,549 $ 1,706,513 $ 1,732,930 $ 1,741,755 $ 1,744,802 $ 1,642,549 $ 1,744,802
Total capital ratio 14.10 % 14.97 % 15.31 % 15.41 % 15.55 % 14.10 % 15.55 %
Total capital in excess of minimum requirement $ 419,743 $ 509,536 $ 544,478 $ 554,834 $ 566,795 $ 419,743 $ 566,795
Total risk-weighted assets $ 11,645,769 $ 11,399,782 $ 11,318,590 $ 11,304,012 $ 11,219,114 $ 11,645,769 $ 11,219,114
Leverage ratio 8.70 % 9.05 % 9.14 % 9.34 % 9.55 % 8.70 % 9.55 %
OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets 13.83 % 14.01 % 14.15 % 13.97 % 14.29 % 13.83 % 14.29 %
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets (1)
7.58 % 8.21 % 8.37 % 8.22 % 8.47 % 7.58 % 8.47 %
Average shareholders' equity to average assets 13.98 % 14.14 % 13.96 % 14.17 % 14.07 % 14.06 % 14.30 %
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets (1)
8.20 % 8.35 % 8.23 % 8.38 % 8.26 % 8.29 % 8.28 %
REPURCHASE PROGRAM (2)
Shares repurchased 0 2,484,295 1,308,945 840,115 0 4,633,355 880,000
Average share repurchase price N/A $ 23.04 $ 25.11 $ 21.40 N/A $ 23.33 $ 18.96
Total cost of shares repurchased N/A $ 57,231 $ 32,864 $ 17,982 N/A $ 108,077 $ 16,686
(1) Non-GAAP measure. For details on the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the GAAP financial measure, see the sections titled "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in this release and "Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation" in the accompanying slide presentation.
(2) Represents share repurchases as part of publicly announced plans.
N/A = Not applicable
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