First Financial Bancorp. · NASDAQ:FFBC
First Financial Bancorp — Q2 2026 Earnings Presentation
50 slides from First Financial Bancorp's earnings presentation, Jul 27, 2026
Slide 1: Investor Presentation Second Quarter 2026
investor presentation • Second Quarter 2026 Exhibit 99.1
Slide 2: Forward looking statements disclosure
forward looking statements disclosure 2 Certain statements in this presentation constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section
Slide 3: Forward looking statements disclosure: transaction risks
forward looking statements disclosure 3 Risks, uncertainties and assumptions regarding the proposed transaction • the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the merger agreement; • the failure to obtain nece
Slide 4: Forward looking statements disclosure: Non-GAAP financial measures
forward looking statements disclosure 4 Non-GAAP Financial Measures This presentation contains certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Such non-GAAP financial information should be conside
Slide 5: Presentation contents
About First Financial Bancorp Acquisitions Financial Performance Appendix presentation contents 5
Slide 6: Our franchise
our franchise Commercial C&I, O-CRE, Treasury, ABL, ESOP, Equipment Finance, Bannockburn Global Forex Retail Banking Consumer, Small Business Mortgage Banking NASDAQ: FFBC Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio Founded: 1863 Banking Centers: 151 Employees: 2,371 Market Cap (6/30/26): $3.6B Dividend Yield (6
Slide 7: Key investment highlights
key investment highlights ✓ Proven & sustainable business model for more than 160 years o Conservative operating philosophy with 143 consecutive quarters of profitability o Well managed through past credit cycles ✓ Premier Midwest franchise with top quartile1 profitability o Top quartile1 ROA, ROATC
Slide 8: An experienced & successful acquirer
$6.4B $7.2B $8.1B $8.4B $8.9B $14.0B $14.5B $16.0B $16.3B $17.0B $17.5B $18.6B $21.1B $22.8B 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 1Q26 Total Assets ($B) an experienced & successful acquirer 8 2014 First Financial acquires Insight Bank, First Bexley Bank and The Guernsey B
Slide 9: A top quartile performer
ROAA1 ROATCE1 Net Interest Margin Noninterest Income / Net Revenue1 Loans + HTM / Deposits Cash + AFS Securities / Assets ACL / Gross Loans NPAs / Assets CET1 Ratio Total RBC Ratio Consolidated CRE / RBC 272% 228% 187% 164% 14.0% 14.7% 15.9% 15.7% 11.3% 12.1% 13.4% 12.2% 0.61% 0.47% 0.30% 0.44% 1.04
Slide 10: Consistent best-in-class earnings
1-Year 3-Year 5-Year 10-Year KRXKRX 92% Percentile Rank 19.2% 15.7% 96% Percentile Rank FFBC Top Quartile1 17.8% 16.4% 90% Percentile Rank 1.35% 1.30% 86% Percentile Rank 1.36% 1.29% 84% Percentile Rank 2%3% 10% 18.7% 15.7% FFBC Top Quartile1 1.40% 80% Percentile Rank 1.35% 8% 51% Percentile Rank 53
Slide 11: Key company brands
key company brands Full suite of diversified financial products for individuals and businesses $22.4 Billion Assets $17.6 Billion Deposits Diversified financial holding company with comprehensive and innovative solutions for individuals and businesses Wealth & asset management services for individua
Slide 12: Market centric strategies
Note: Financial data as of 6/30/26. Greater Cincinnati/Dayton loan and deposit balances include large public fund relationships, special assets, loan marks, and other out of market and corporately held balances. *Includes leasing business expense complementary market centric strategies Loans $4.6B /
Slide 13: Diversified lines of business
The number of Trust & Investments and RPS relationships are updated as of 9/30/22. All other data as of 12/31/22. Note: Data as of 6/30/26 and excludes the impact of BankFinancial acquisition. diversified lines of business 13
Slide 14: Presentation contents
About First Financial Bancorp Acquisitions Financial Performance Appendix presentation contents 14
Slide 15: Acquisition update – Westfield and BFIN
acquisition update – Westfield and BFIN Successful conversion of BankFinancial in June High retention of clients and key associates On track to achieve financial targets, cost savings and EPS contribution Cost savings fully implemented as of June 30th for Westfield BankFinancial cost savings will gr
Slide 16: Strategic expansion in Chicago & Northwest Indiana with Finward acquisition
1 strategic expansion in Chicago & Northwest Indiana with Finward acquisition July 21, 2026
Slide 17: Finward acquisition highlights
220 - 68 - 4 0 - 113- 206 255 - 199 - 69 177 - 180 - 177 142 - 57 - 128 52 - 183 - 143 123 - 199 - 224 32 - 39 - 32 ✓ 5.0% Earnings per Share accretion ✓ De minimis TBV dilution ✓ Capitalized value of synergies represents 76% of deal value ✓ Enhances key profitability metrics, including 90bps improv
Slide 18: Overview of Finward
220 - 68 - 4 0 - 113- 206 255 - 199 - 69 177 - 180 - 177 142 - 57 - 128 52 - 183 - 143 123 - 199 - 224 32 - 39 - 32 18 overview of Finward Key Franchise Highlights Financial Summary Loan & Deposit Composition Total Assets $2.0B Total Deposits $1.7B Assets Under Management $412MM Headquarters Munster
Slide 19: Complementary Chicago & Northwest Indiana presence
220 - 68 - 4 0 - 113- 206 255 - 199 - 69 177 - 180 - 177 142 - 57 - 128 52 - 183 - 143 123 - 199 - 224 32 - 39 - 32 Increases Chicago Deposits to $4.1B 19 complementary Chicago & Northwest Indiana presence 1 Per FDIC deposit information Source: S&P Capital IQ Pro Joliet Evanston Skokie Hoffman Estat
Slide 20: Summary of expected financial impacts
220 - 68 - 4 0 - 113- 206 255 - 199 - 69 177 - 180 - 177 142 - 57 - 128 52 - 183 - 143 123 - 199 - 224 32 - 39 - 32 20 summary of expected financial impacts Key Items Pro Forma Financial Impacts Earnings per Share(1) (Fully Phased-In) 5.0% TBV(1) per Share at Closing (0.4)% TBV(1) Earnback (Crossove
Slide 21: Transaction terms
220 - 68 - 4 0 - 113- 206 255 - 199 - 69 177 - 180 - 177 142 - 57 - 128 52 - 183 - 143 123 - 199 - 224 32 - 39 - 32 21 transaction terms Consideration & Deal Value Transaction Multiples Closing & Other • Consideration Mix – 100% FFBC common stock • Exchange Ratio – Fixed exchange ratio of 1.35x ‒ Ap
Slide 22: Key transaction assumptions
220 - 68 - 4 0 - 113- 206 255 - 199 - 69 177 - 180 - 177 142 - 57 - 128 52 - 183 - 143 123 - 199 - 224 32 - 39 - 32 22 key transaction assumptions Key Merger Assumptions • Cost Savings – Approximately 40% of Finward’s annual noninterest expense ‒ 50% phase-in during 2027 and 100% in 2028 and thereaf
Slide 23: Key takeaways
220 - 68 - 4 0 - 113- 206 255 - 199 - 69 177 - 180 - 177 142 - 57 - 128 52 - 183 - 143 123 - 199 - 224 32 - 39 - 32 23 key takeaways Strong strategic and cultural alignment supports low execution risk Enhances Chicago banking franchise for continued growth in the market Strategically expands presenc
Slide 24: Presentation contents
About First Financial Bancorp Acquisitions Financial Performance Appendix presentation contents 24
Slide 25: 2Q 2026 results
2Q 2026 results 143rd Consecutive Quarter of Profitability 25 • EOP assets decreased $340.1 million compared to the linked quarter to $22.4 billion • EOP loans increased $240.1 million compared to the linked quarter to $13.7 billion; 7.1% on an annualized basis • Average deposits increased $41.2 mil
Slide 26: 2Q 2026 highlights
2Q 2026 highlights • Strong adjusted1 quarterly earnings driven by robust net interest margin • Adjusted1 earnings per share – $0.80; highest in Company history • Adjusted1 return on assets – 1.50% • Adjusted1 pre-tax, pre-provision return on assets – 2.03% • Adjusted1 return on average tangible com
Slide 27: Noninterest income and expense highlights
• Noninterest income of $73.8 million; $71.9 million as adjusted1 • Adjustments include $0.3 million loss on securities and $2.2 million of acquisition-related adjustments • Leasing business income continues strong performance with a 5.3% increase from first quarter to $22.8 million • Other noninter
Slide 28: Adjusted net income
adjusted net income1 28 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliations. All dollars shown in thousands, except per share amounts The table below lists certain adjustments that t
Slide 29: Profitability
profitability 29 Return on Average Assets Return on Avg Tangible Common Equity Diluted EPS 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation. Adjusted1 Pre-tax, Pre-Provision Earnin
Slide 30: Net interest income & margin
net interest income & margin 30 2Q26 NIM (FTE) Progression All dollars shown in millions 1 1 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation. 1 1Q26 3.99% Asset yields/mix -0.02%
Slide 31: Noninterest income
noninterest income 31 Noninterest Income 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliations. 2Q26 Highlights • Adjustments include a $0.3 million loss on securities and $2.2 million
Slide 32: Noninterest expense
noninterest expense 32 Noninterest Expense 2Q26 Highlights 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company' Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliations. All dollars shown in millions • Adjusted1 noninterest expense
Slide 33: Average balance sheet
average balance sheet 33 All dollars shown in millions 1 Includes loans fees and loan accretion $5,080$4,769 $3,989$3,552$3,479 4.45%4.42% 4.31%4.31% 4.44% 2Q261Q264Q253Q252Q25 Investment Securities Investment Securities Yield Average Securities $13,619$14,028$12,812$11,806$11,793 6.45% 6.50%6.68% 6
Slide 34: Deposits
deposits 34 Deposit Product Mix (Avg) 2Q26 Average Deposit Progression All dollars shown in millions Total growth/(decline): $41.2 million $18.8 $93.9 -$0.4 -$57.8 -$47.9 -$127.4 $162.0 Noninterest-bearing Interest-bearing demand Savings Money Market Retail CDs Brokered Deposits Public Funds Noninte
Slide 35: Average deposit trends
average deposit trends 35 All dollars shown in millions Average Deposit Balances Uninsured Deposits Uninsured deposits (per call report instructions) 7,455$ Less: Public funds 2,057 Less: Intercompany deposits 543 Adjusted uninsured deposits 4,855 Borrowing capacity 6,288 Borrowing capacity in exces
Slide 36: Borrowing capacity & cash/investment liquidity
36 Borrowing Capacity • Interest-bearing deposits with other banks of $579 million • Investment securities portfolio: • 99.0% of investment portfolio classified as available-for-sale • $765.3 million of expected cash flow from securities portfolio in next 12 months • $410.1 million of floating rate
Slide 37: Loan portfolio
loan portfolio 37 Loan LOB Mix (EOP) Net Loan Change-LOB (Linked Quarter) All dollars shown in millions Total growth/(decline): $240.1 million ICRE $3,803 28% Commercial & Small Business Banking $3,966 29% Oak Street $1,172 8% Summit $1,226 9% Agile $377 3% Consumer $1,265 9% Mortgage $1,926 14% Tot
Slide 38: Loan concentrations
loan concentrations 38 C&I and Owner Occupied CRE Loans by Sector1 Investor CRE Loans by Property Type All dollars shown in millions 1 Excludes Agile Premium Finance • CRE balances approximately 180% of risk- based capital NAICS Sector 6/30/26 % of Total Loans Finance and Insurance $1,330.4 9.7% Man
Slide 39: Area of focus – NDFI exposure
area of focus – NDFI exposure 39 All dollars shown in millions NDFI Private Credit Exposure • Direct Exposure • $120.7 million outstanding • Primarily subscription lines to well- established funds that are either an institutional investor or publicly traded • $210.0 million committed • Loans to NDFI
Slide 40: Allowance for credit losses
allowance for credit losses 40 2Q26 Highlights All dollars shown in millions • $208.2 million combined ACL; $8.2 million combined provision expense • $189.9 million ACL – loans and leases • ACL 1.38% of total loans; 2 bp increase from first quarter • Utilized Moody’s June baseline forecast in quanti
Slide 41: Asset quality
asset quality 41 Classified Assets / Total Assets 1 Provision includes both loans & leases and unfunded commitments All dollars shown in millions Nonperforming Assets / Total Assets Net Charge Offs & Provision Expense1 $96.3 $100.8$102.0 $76.1$77.1 0.43%0.44%0.48% 0.41%0.41% 2Q261Q264Q253Q252Q25 NPA
Slide 42: Capital
capital 42 Tangible Common Equity Ratio 6/30 Risk Weighted Assets = $16,456,311 All capital numbers are considered preliminary. 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation. Ad
Slide 43: Capital strategy
capital strategy 43 Strategy & DeploymentTangible Book Value Per Share • 3.0% annualized dividend yield as of June 30th • 34% of 2Q26 earnings returned to shareholders through common dividend • Most recent internal stress testing indicates capital ratios above regulatory minimums in all modeled scen
Slide 44: Outlook commentary
outlook commentary1 • Loan balances expected to increase mid single digits on an annualized basis • Core deposit balances expected to increase low single digits 44 • Total noninterest expense expected to be $149 - 152 million • Incentive expense will fluctuate with fee income Noninterest Expense Net
Slide 45: Presentation contents
About First Financial Bancorp Acquisitions Financial Performance Appendix presentation contents 45
Slide 46: Appendix: our markets
appendix: our markets • Greater Cincinnati/Dayton • Loans $4.9 billion • Deposits $8.1 billion • Deposit Market Share #4 (3.4%) • Banking Centers 46 • Fortune 500 Companies 8 • Indianapolis • Loans $1.0 billion • Deposits $0.5 billion • Deposit Market Share #14 (1.2%) • Banking Centers 7 • Fortune 5
Slide 47: Appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation
appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation 47 All dollars shown in thousands Net interest income and net interest margin - fully tax equivalent June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, 2026 2026 2025 2025 2025 Net interest income 190,377$ 189,610$ 173,995$ 160,486$ 158,269$ Tax equivalent adjustm
Slide 48: Appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation
appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation 48 All dollars shown in thousands Additional non-GAAP ratios June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2026 2026 2025 2025 2025 Net income (a) 76,456$ 74,445$ 62,393$ 71,923$ 69,996$ Average total shareholders
Slide 49: Appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation
appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation 49 All dollars shown in thousands Additional non-GAAP measures 4Q25 3Q25 As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted Net interest income (f) 190,377$ 190,377$ 189,610$ 189,610$ 173,995$ 173,995$ 160,486$ 160,486$ Provi
Slide 50: First Financial Bancorp
50 First Financial Bancorp First Financial Center 255 East Fifth Street Cincinnati, OH 45202
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