First Financial Bancorp.NASDAQ: FFBC

First Financial Bancorp Announces Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results

· Issued by First Financial Bancorp. via PR Newswire
  • Earnings per diluted share of $0.69; $0.72 on an adjusted(1) basis, 29% increase YoY
  • Return on average assets of 1.55%; 1.62% on an adjusted(1) basis
  • Net interest margin on FTE basis(1) of 4.48%; 7 bp decrease from linked quarter
  • Loan growth of $117 million; 4.5% on an annualized basis
  • Strong adjusted(1) fee income of $53.5 million driven by foreign exchange and wealth management
  • ACL to total loans of 1.41%; Classified assets declined 13% from linked quarter
  • All capital ratios increased from the linked quarter; Regulatory ratios well in excess of targets

CINCINNATI, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) ("First Financial" or the "Company") announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023. 

For the three months ended June 30, 2023, the Company reported net income of $65.7 million, or $0.69 per diluted common share.  These results compare to net income of $70.4 million, or $0.74 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2023.  For the six months ended June 30, 2023, First Financial had earnings per diluted share of $1.43 compared to $0.98 for the same period in 2022.

Return on average assets for the second quarter of 2023 was 1.55% while return on average tangible common equity was 25.27%(1).  These compare to return on average assets of 1.69% and return on average tangible common equity of 29.02%(1) in the first quarter of 2023. 

Second quarter 2023 highlights include:

  • Net interest margin of 4.43%, or 4.48% on a fully tax-equivalent basis(1)
    • 7 bp decrease to 4.48% from 4.55% in the first quarter due to increasing deposit costs
    • Higher asset yields significantly offset 40 bp increase in cost of deposits
    • Average deposit balances decreased $98.3 million with growth in brokered and retail CDs offsetting declines in noninterest bearing checking and savings accounts
  • Noninterest income of $53.3 million, or $53.5 million as adjusted(1)
    • Foreign exchange income of $15.0 million reflected continued strong activity
    • Record  wealth management fees of $6.7 million; 6.0% increase from first quarter
    • Leasing business income of $10.3 million; 24.9% decline from first quarter due to change in mix
    • Adjusted(1) $0.2 million for losses on investment securities and gain related to the LIBOR cessation
  • Noninterest expenses of $120.6 million, or $116.9 million as adjusted(1)
    • $3.9 million increase from first quarter driven primarily by higher employee costs and online banking conversion
    • Second quarter adjustments(1) include $1.0 million tax credit investment writedown, $1.7 million of costs related to our online banking conversion and $1.0 million of other costs not expected to recur such as acquisition, severance and branch consolidation costs
    • Efficiency ratio of 56.8%; 54.9% as adjusted(1)

________________________________________________________________________________________

(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 consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2022, September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022, include assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Summit Financial transaction.  The fair value measurements of assets acquired and liabilities assumed 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.  These fair value measurements were considered final as of December 31, 2022.

  • Moderate loan growth during the quarter
    • Loan balances increased $116.8 million compared to the first quarter
    • Growth of 4.5% on an annualized basis
    • Residential mortgage and equipment leases drove quarterly growth
  • Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $166.9 million; Total quarterly provision expense of $10.7 million
    • Loans and leases - ACL of $148.6 million; increased 5 bps to 1.41% of total loans
    • Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $18.2 million
    • Provision expense driven by slower prepayment speeds, net charge-offs and loan growth
    • Classified assets declined 12.6% to $138.9 million; Net charge-offs 22 bps of total loans
  • Capital ratios remain solid
    • Total capital ratio increased 28 bps to 13.94%
    • Tier 1 common equity increased 30 bps to 11.30%
    • Tangible common equity increased 9 bps to 6.56%(1); 8.76%(1) excluding impact from AOCI
    • Tangible book value per share of $11.02(1)

Archie Brown, President and CEO, commented on the quarter, "I continue to be pleased with our performance this year.  Earnings in the second quarter were once again very strong as an expected increase in deposit costs was mostly offset by higher asset yields.  Adjusted(1) earnings per share were $0.72, which was a 29% increase compared to the same quarter in 2022, while the adjusted(1) returns on assets and tangible common equity were 1.62% and 26.46%, respectively.  Net interest margin exceeded expectations during the period as our asset sensitive balance sheet has enabled the company to successfully navigate the higher interest rate environment.  We were encouraged by the stabilization of deposit balances in the last half of the quarter.  Personal, business and public fund deposits were stable to increasing from May to June while the mix continued to shift to interest bearing products."

Mr. Brown continued, "Our fee income largely exceeded our expectations this quarter, with strong performance from mortgage banking, client swaps and wealth management.  Summit Funding Group had another nice quarter in originations although the mix has shifted to a higher level of finance leases and loans.  This shift has bolstered our net interest income but resulted in less fee income during the period."  

Mr. Brown commented on loan growth and quality, "Loan growth was in line with expectations for the period.  While loan activity slowed early in the quarter and we experienced higher commercial line pay downs, loan pipelines strengthened in recent weeks. We expect moderate loan growth in the second half of the year.  We were pleased that asset quality remained strong during the quarter.  Net charge-offs were 22 bps on an annualized basis after being zero last quarter and a net recovery in the fourth quarter of 2022 while classified assets declined 13% from the linked quarter."

Mr. Brown concluded, "We are extremely pleased with our results this quarter.  The position of our balance sheet, strong net interest margin, consistent loan growth, robust fee income and stable asset quality is expected to sustain our performance in the back half of the year.  Additionally, our earnings power, strong and increasing capital levels and high reserve levels provide additional support in the event of a downturn in the economy."

Full detail of the Company's second quarter 2023 performance is provided in the accompanying financial statements and slide presentation.

Teleconference / Webcast InformationFirst Financial's executive management will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial and operating results on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.  Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (888) 550-5723 (U.S. toll free) or (646) 960-0471 (U.S. local), access code 5048068.  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 (800) 770-2030 (U.S. toll free), (647) 362-9199 (U.S. local), access code 5048068.  The recording will be available until August 5, 2023.  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 WebsiteThis 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 MeasuresThis 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 changes in housing prices, fluctuations in 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  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, 2022, 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 June 30, 2023, the Company had $17.1 billion in assets, $10.6 billion in loans, $12.8 billion in deposits and $2.1 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 $3.3 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2023.  The Company operated 130 full service banking centers as of June 30, 2023, located 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

.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended,

Six months ended,

June 30,

Mar. 31,

Dec. 31,

Sep. 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2023

2023

2022

2022

2022

2023

2022

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net income

$     65,667

$     70,403

$     69,086

$     55,705

$     51,520

$    136,070

$      92,821

Net earnings per share - basic

$         0.70

$         0.75

$         0.74

$         0.60

$         0.55

$         1.45

$         0.99

Net earnings per share - diluted

$         0.69

$         0.74

$         0.73

$         0.59

$         0.55

$         1.43

$         0.98

Dividends declared per share

$         0.23

$         0.23

$         0.23

$         0.23

$         0.23

$         0.46

$         0.46

KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS

Return on average assets

1.55 %

1.69 %

1.63 %

1.35 %

1.28 %

1.62 %

1.16 %

Return on average shareholders' equity

12.32 %

13.71 %

13.64 %

10.58 %

9.84 %

13.00 %

8.66 %

Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (1)

25.27 %

29.02 %

29.93 %

22.29 %

20.68 %

27.08 %

17.65 %

Net interest margin

4.43 %

4.51 %

4.43 %

3.93 %

3.41 %

4.47 %

3.26 %

Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)(2)

4.48 %

4.55 %

4.47 %

3.98 %

3.45 %

4.51 %

3.31 %

Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets

12.54 %

12.53 %

12.01 %

12.00 %

12.74 %

12.54 %

12.74 %

Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:

Ending tangible assets (1)

6.56 %

6.47 %

5.95 %

5.79 %

6.40 %

6.56 %

6.40 %

Risk-weighted assets (1)

8.00 %

7.87 %

7.32 %

7.21 %

8.09 %

8.00 %

8.09 %

Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets

12.60 %

12.29 %

11.98 %

12.75 %

12.97 %

12.45 %

13.36 %

Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of

    average tangible assets (1)

6.57 %

6.21 %

5.84 %

6.49 %

6.62 %

6.39 %

7.03 %

Book value per share

$        22.52

$        22.29

$        21.51

$        21.03

$        21.90

$        22.52

$        21.90

Tangible book value per share (1)

$        11.02

$        10.76

$          9.97

$          9.48

$        10.27

$        11.02

$        10.27

Common equity tier 1 ratio (3)

11.30 %

11.00 %

10.83 %

10.82 %

10.91 %

11.30 %

10.91 %

Tier 1 ratio (3)

11.64 %

11.34 %

11.17 %

11.17 %

11.28 %

11.64 %

11.28 %

Total capital ratio (3)

13.94 %

13.66 %

13.64 %

13.73 %

13.94 %

13.94 %

13.94 %

Leverage ratio (3)

9.33 %

9.03 %

8.89 %

8.88 %

8.76 %

9.33 %

8.76 %

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS

Loans (4)

$  10,513,505

$  10,373,302

$  10,059,119

$  9,597,197

$  9,367,820

$  10,443,791

$  9,317,576

Investment securities

3,560,453

3,635,317

3,705,304

4,003,472

4,118,287

3,597,678

4,212,649

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

329,584

318,026

372,054

317,146

294,136

323,837

284,006

  Total earning assets

$  14,403,542

$  14,326,645

$  14,136,477

$  13,917,815

$  13,780,243

$  14,365,306

$  13,814,231

Total assets

$  16,968,055

$  16,942,999

$  16,767,598

$  16,385,989

$  16,185,978

$  16,955,596

$  16,185,451

Noninterest-bearing deposits

$    3,663,419

$    3,954,915

$    4,225,192

$    4,176,242

$  4,224,842

$    3,808,362

$    4,192,687

Interest-bearing deposits

9,050,464

8,857,226

8,407,114

8,194,781

8,312,876

8,954,379

8,467,479

  Total deposits

$  12,713,883

$  12,812,141

$  12,632,306

$  12,371,023

$  12,537,718

$  12,762,741

$  12,660,166

Borrowings

$    1,523,699

$    1,434,338

$    1,489,088

$    1,406,718

$  1,079,596

$    1,479,265

$       901,634

Shareholders' equity

$    2,137,765

$    2,082,210

$    2,009,564

$    2,089,179

$  2,099,670

$    2,110,141

$    2,162,235

CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS

Allowance to ending loans

1.41 %

1.36 %

1.29 %

1.27 %

1.25 %

1.41 %

1.25 %

Allowance to nonaccrual loans

276.70 %

409.46 %

464.58 %

341.61 %

302.87 %

276.70 %

302.87 %

Allowance to nonperforming loans

276.70 %

409.46 %

335.94 %

262.09 %

235.08 %

276.70 %

235.08 %

Nonperforming loans to total loans

0.51 %

0.33 %

0.38 %

0.48 %

0.53 %

0.51 %

0.53 %

Nonaccrual loans to total loans

0.51 %

0.33 %

0.28 %

0.37 %

0.41 %

0.51 %

0.41 %

Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO

0.51 %

0.33 %

0.39 %

0.48 %

0.53 %

0.51 %

0.53 %

Nonperforming assets to total assets

0.32 %

0.21 %

0.23 %

0.28 %

0.31 %

0.32 %

0.31 %

Classified assets to total assets

0.81 %

0.94 %

0.75 %

0.69 %

0.74 %

0.81 %

0.74 %

Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)

0.22 %

0.00 %

(0.01) %

0.07 %

0.08 %

0.11 %

0.09 %

(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) June 30, 2023 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.

(4) Includes loans held for sale.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended,

Six months ended,

June 30,

June 30,

2023

2022

% Change

2023

2022

% Change

Interest income

  Loans and leases, including fees

$     184,387

$       97,091

89.9 %

$     354,093

$     184,273

92.2 %

  Investment securities

     Taxable

32,062

23,639

35.6 %

63,929

45,735

39.8 %

     Tax-exempt

3,513

4,916

(28.5) %

6,977

9,347

(25.4) %

        Total investment securities interest

35,575

28,555

24.6 %

70,906

55,082

28.7 %

  Other earning assets

3,933

505

678.8 %

7,477

625

1,096.3 %

       Total interest income

223,895

126,151

77.5 %

432,476

239,980

80.2 %

Interest expense

  Deposits

44,292

2,963

1,394.8 %

75,748

5,586

1,256.0 %

  Short-term borrowings

15,536

1,566

892.1 %

28,486

1,883

1,412.8 %

  Long-term borrowings

4,835

4,612

4.8 %

9,692

9,156

5.9 %

      Total interest expense

64,663

9,141

607.4 %

113,926

16,625

585.3 %

      Net interest income

159,232

117,010

36.1 %

318,550

223,355

42.6 %

  Provision for credit losses-loans and leases

12,719

(4,267)

(398.1) %

21,363

(9,856)

(316.8) %

  Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments

(1,994)

3,481

(157.3) %

(159)

3,255

(104.9) %

      Net interest income after provision for credit losses

148,507

117,796

26.1 %

297,346

229,956

29.3 %

Noninterest income

  Service charges on deposit accounts

6,972

7,648

(8.8) %

13,486

15,377

(12.3) %

  Wealth management fees

6,713

6,311

6.4 %

13,047

12,371

5.5 %

  Bankcard income

3,692

3,823

(3.4) %

7,284

7,160

1.7 %

  Client derivative fees

1,827

1,369

33.5 %

2,832

2,172

30.4 %

  Foreign exchange income

15,039

13,470

11.6 %

31,937

23,621

35.2 %

  Leasing business income

10,265

7,247

41.6 %

23,929

13,323

79.6 %

  Net gains from sales of loans

3,839

5,241

(26.8) %

6,174

9,113

(32.3) %

  Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities

(384)

0

N/M

(903)

3

N/M

  Net gain (loss) on equity  securities

(82)

(1,054)

(92.2) %

558

(1,253)

(144.5) %

  Other

5,377

5,723

(6.0) %

10,457

9,185

13.8 %

      Total noninterest income

53,258

49,778

7.0 %

108,801

91,072

19.5 %

Noninterest expenses

  Salaries and employee benefits

74,199

64,992

14.2 %

146,453

128,939

13.6 %

  Net occupancy

5,606

5,359

4.6 %

11,291

11,105

1.7 %

  Furniture and equipment

3,362

3,201

5.0 %

6,679

6,768

(1.3) %

  Data processing

9,871

8,334

18.4 %

18,891

16,598

13.8 %

  Marketing

2,802

2,323

20.6 %

4,962

4,023

23.3 %

  Communication

644

670

(3.9) %

1,278

1,336

(4.3) %

  Professional services

2,308

2,214

4.2 %

4,254

4,373

(2.7) %

  State intangible tax

964

1,090

(11.6) %

1,949

2,221

(12.2) %

  FDIC assessments

2,806

1,677

67.3 %

5,632

3,136

79.6 %

  Intangible amortization

2,601

2,915

(10.8) %

5,201

5,829

(10.8) %

  Leasing business expense

6,730

4,687

43.6 %

14,668

8,556

71.4 %

  Other

8,722

5,572

56.5 %

16,050

12,955

23.9 %

      Total noninterest expenses

120,615

103,034

17.1 %

237,308

205,839

15.3 %

Income before income taxes

81,150

64,540

25.7 %

168,839

115,189

46.6 %

Income tax expense (benefit)

15,483

13,020

18.9 %

32,769

22,368

46.5 %

      Net income

$       65,667

$       51,520

27.5 %

$     136,070

$       92,821

46.6 %

ADDITIONAL DATA

Net earnings per share - basic

$          0.70

$          0.55

$          1.45

$          0.99

Net earnings per share - diluted

$          0.69

$          0.55

$          1.43

$          0.98

Dividends declared per share

$          0.23

$          0.23

$          0.46

$          0.46

Return on average assets

1.55 %

1.28 %

1.62 %

1.16 %

Return on average shareholders' equity

12.32 %

9.84 %

13.00 %

8.66 %

Interest income

$     223,895

$     126,151

77.5 %

$     432,476

$     239,980

80.2 %

Tax equivalent adjustment

1,601

1,625

(1.5) %

3,025

3,092

(2.2) %

   Interest income - tax equivalent

225,496

127,776

76.5 %

435,501

243,072

79.2 %

Interest expense

64,663

9,141

607.4 %

113,926

16,625

585.3 %

   Net interest income - tax equivalent

$     160,833

$     118,635

35.6 %

$     321,575

$     226,447

42.0 %

Net interest margin

4.43 %

3.41 %

4.47 %

3.26 %

Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)

4.48 %

3.45 %

4.51 %

3.31 %

Full-time equivalent employees

2,193

2,096

(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.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

2023

Second

First

Year to

% Change

Quarter

Quarter

Date

Linked Qtr.

Interest income

  Loans and leases, including fees

$ 184,387

$ 169,706

$ 354,093

8.7 %

  Investment securities

     Taxable

32,062

31,867

63,929

0.6 %

     Tax-exempt

3,513

3,464

6,977

1.4 %

        Total investment securities interest

35,575

35,331

70,906

0.7 %

  Other earning assets

3,933

3,544

7,477

11.0 %

       Total interest income

223,895

208,581

432,476

7.3 %

Interest expense

  Deposits

44,292

31,456

75,748

40.8 %

  Short-term borrowings

15,536

12,950

28,486

20.0 %

  Long-term borrowings

4,835

4,857

9,692

(0.5) %

      Total interest expense

64,663

49,263

113,926

31.3 %

      Net interest income

159,232

159,318

318,550

(0.1) %

  Provision for credit losses-loans and leases

12,719

8,644

21,363

47.1 %

  Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments

(1,994)

1,835

(159)

(208.7) %

      Net interest income after provision for credit losses

148,507

148,839

297,346

(0.2) %

Noninterest income

  Service charges on deposit accounts

6,972

6,514

13,486

7.0 %

  Wealth management fees

6,713

6,334

13,047

6.0 %

  Bankcard income

3,692

3,592

7,284

2.8 %

  Client derivative fees

1,827

1,005

2,832

81.8 %

  Foreign exchange income

15,039

16,898

31,937

(11.0) %

  Leasing business income

10,265

13,664

23,929

(24.9) %

  Net gains from sales of loans

3,839

2,335

6,174

64.4 %

  Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities

(384)

(519)

(903)

(26.0) %

  Net gain (loss) on equity securities

(82)

640

558

112.8 %

  Other

5,377

5,080

10,457

5.8 %

      Total noninterest income

53,258

55,543

108,801

(4.1) %

Noninterest expenses

  Salaries and employee benefits

74,199

72,254

146,453

2.7 %

  Net occupancy

5,606

5,685

11,291

(1.4) %

  Furniture and equipment

3,362

3,317

6,679

1.4 %

  Data processing

9,871

9,020

18,891

9.4 %

  Marketing

2,802

2,160

4,962

29.7 %

  Communication

644

634

1,278

1.6 %

  Professional services

2,308

1,946

4,254

18.6 %

  State intangible tax

964

985

1,949

(2.1) %

  FDIC assessments

2,806

2,826

5,632

(0.7) %

  Intangible amortization

2,601

2,600

5,201

0.0 %

  Leasing business expense

6,730

7,938

14,668

(15.2) %

  Other

8,722

7,328

16,050

19.0 %

      Total noninterest expenses

120,615

116,693

237,308

3.4 %

Income before income taxes

81,150

87,689

168,839

(7.5) %

Income tax expense (benefit)

15,483

17,286

32,769

(10.4) %

      Net income

$   65,667

$   70,403

$ 136,070

(6.7) %

ADDITIONAL DATA

Net earnings per share - basic

$      0.70

$      0.75

$      1.45

Net earnings per share - diluted

$      0.69

$      0.74

$      1.43

Dividends declared per share

$      0.23

$      0.23

$      0.46

Return on average assets

1.55 %

1.69 %

1.62 %

Return on average shareholders' equity

12.32 %

13.71 %

13.00 %

Interest income

$ 223,895

$ 208,581

$ 432,476

7.3 %

Tax equivalent adjustment

1,601

1,424

3,025

12.4 %

   Interest income - tax equivalent

225,496

210,005

435,501

7.4 %

Interest expense

64,663

49,263

113,926

31.3 %

   Net interest income - tax equivalent

$ 160,833

$ 160,742

$ 321,575

0.1 %

Net interest margin

4.43 %

4.51 %

4.47 %

Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)

4.48 %

4.55 %

4.51 %

Full-time equivalent employees

2,193

2,066

(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.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

2022

Fourth

Third

Second

First

Full

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Year

Interest income

  Loans and leases, including fees

$ 152,299

$  122,170

$   97,091

$   87,182

$  458,742

  Investment securities

     Taxable

30,248

26,331

23,639

22,096

102,314

     Tax-exempt

4,105

5,014

4,916

4,431

18,466

        Total investment securities interest

34,353

31,345

28,555

26,527

120,780

  Other earning assets

3,262

1,597

505

120

5,484

       Total interest income

189,914

155,112

126,151

113,829

585,006

Interest expense

  Deposits

16,168

6,386

2,963

2,623

28,140

  Short-term borrowings

11,091

6,158

1,566

317

19,132

  Long-term borrowings

4,759

4,676

4,612

4,544

18,591

      Total interest expense

32,018

17,220

9,141

7,484

65,863

      Net interest income

157,896

137,892

117,010

106,345

519,143

  Provision for credit losses-loans and leases

8,689

7,898

(4,267)

(5,589)

6,731

  Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments

1,341

386

3,481

(226)

4,982

      Net interest income after provision for credit losses

147,866

129,608

117,796

112,160

507,430

Noninterest income

  Service charges on deposit accounts

6,406

6,279

7,648

7,729

28,062

  Wealth management fees

5,648

5,487

6,311

6,060

23,506

  Bankcard income

3,736

3,484

3,823

3,337

14,380

  Client derivative fees

1,822

1,447

1,369

803

5,441

  Foreign exchange income

19,592

11,752

13,470

10,151

54,965

  Leasing business income

11,124

7,127

7,247

6,076

31,574

  Net gains from sales of loans

2,206

3,729

5,241

3,872

15,048

  Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities

(393)

(179)

0

3

(569)

  Net  gain (loss) on equity securities

1,315

(701)

(1,054)

(199)

(639)

  Other

4,579

4,109

5,723

3,462

17,873

      Total noninterest income

56,035

42,534

49,778

41,294

189,641

Noninterest expenses

  Salaries and employee benefits

73,621

66,808

64,992

63,947

269,368

  Net occupancy

5,434

5,669

5,359

5,746

22,208

  Furniture and equipment

3,234

3,222

3,201

3,567

13,224

  Data processing

8,567

8,497

8,334

8,264

33,662

  Marketing

2,198

2,523

2,323

1,700

8,744

  Communication

690

657

670

666

2,683

  Professional services

3,015

2,346

2,214

2,159

9,734

  State intangible tax

974

1,090

1,090

1,131

4,285

  FDIC assessments

2,173

1,885

1,677

1,459

7,194

  Intangible amortization

2,573

2,783

2,915

2,914

11,185

  Leasing business expense

6,061

5,746

4,687

3,869

20,363

  Other

15,902

23,842

5,572

7,383

52,699

      Total noninterest expenses

124,442

125,068

103,034

102,805

455,349

Income before income taxes

79,459

47,074

64,540

50,649

241,722

Income tax expense (benefit)

10,373

(8,631)

13,020

9,348

24,110

      Net income

$   69,086

$   55,705

$   51,520

$   41,301

$  217,612

ADDITIONAL DATA

Net earnings per share - basic

$      0.74

$      0.60

$      0.55

$      0.44

$       2.33

Net earnings per share - diluted

$      0.73

$      0.59

$      0.55

$      0.44

$       2.30

Dividends declared per share

$      0.23

$      0.23

$      0.23

$      0.23

$       0.92

Return on average assets

1.63 %

1.35 %

1.28 %

1.03 %

1.33 %

Return on average shareholders' equity

13.64 %

10.58 %

9.84 %

7.53 %

10.34 %

Interest income

$ 189,914

$  155,112

$  126,151

$  113,829

$  585,006

Tax equivalent adjustment

1,553

1,712

1,625

1,467

6,357

   Interest income - tax equivalent

191,467

156,824

127,776

115,296

591,363

Interest expense

32,018

17,220

9,141

7,484

65,863

   Net interest income - tax equivalent

$ 159,449

$  139,604

$  118,635

$  107,812

$  525,500

Net interest margin

4.43 %

3.93 %

3.41 %

3.11 %

3.73 %

Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)

4.47 %

3.98 %

3.45 %

3.16 %

3.77 %

Full-time equivalent employees

2,070

2,072

2,096

2,050

(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.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

June 30,

Mar. 31,

Dec. 31,

Sep. 30,

June 30,

% Change

% Change

2023

2023

2022

2022

2022

Linked Qtr.

Comp Qtr.

ASSETS

     Cash and due from banks

$      217,385

$      199,835

$      207,501

$      195,553

$      217,481

8.8 %

0.0 %

     Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

485,241

305,465

388,182

338,978

270,042

58.9 %

79.7 %

     Investment securities available-for-sale

3,249,404

3,384,949

3,409,648

3,531,353

3,843,580

(4.0) %

(15.5) %

     Investment securities held-to-maturity

82,372

83,070

84,021

85,823

88,057

(0.8) %

(6.5) %

     Other investments

141,892

143,606

143,160

138,767

132,151

(1.2) %

7.4 %

     Loans held for sale

15,267

9,280

7,918

10,684

22,044

64.5 %

(30.7) %

     Loans and leases

       Commercial and industrial

3,433,162

3,449,289

3,410,272

3,139,219

2,927,175

(0.5) %

17.3 %

       Lease financing

360,801

273,898

236,124

176,072

146,639

31.7 %

146.0 %

       Construction real estate

536,464

525,906

512,050

489,446

449,734

2.0 %

19.3 %

       Commercial real estate

4,048,460

4,056,627

4,052,759

3,976,345

4,007,037

(0.2) %

1.0 %

       Residential real estate

1,221,484

1,145,069

1,092,265

1,024,596

965,387

6.7 %

26.5 %

       Home equity

728,711

724,672

733,791

737,318

725,700

0.6 %

0.4 %

       Installment

165,216

204,372

209,895

202,267

146,680

(19.2) %

12.6 %

       Credit card

55,911

53,552

51,815

52,173

52,065

4.4 %

7.4 %

          Total loans

10,550,209

10,433,385

10,298,971

9,797,436

9,420,417

1.1 %

12.0 %

       Less:

          Allowance for credit losses

(148,646)

(141,591)

(132,977)

(124,096)

(117,885)

5.0 %

26.1 %

                Net loans

10,401,563

10,291,794

10,165,994

9,673,340

9,302,532

1.1 %

11.8 %

     Premises and equipment

192,077

188,959

189,080

189,067

191,099

1.7 %

0.5 %

     Operating leases

132,272

153,986

91,738

84,851

82,659

(14.1) %

60.0 %

     Goodwill

1,005,828

1,005,738

1,001,507

998,422

999,959

0.0 %

0.6 %

     Other intangibles

88,662

91,169

93,919

96,528

99,019

(2.7) %

(10.5) %

     Accrued interest and other assets

1,078,186

1,076,033

1,220,648

1,280,427

995,091

0.2 %

8.4 %

       Total Assets

$  17,090,149

$ 16,933,884

$  17,003,316

$ 16,623,793

$  16,243,714

0.9 %

5.2 %

LIABILITIES

     Deposits

       Interest-bearing demand

$   2,919,472

$   2,761,811

$   3,037,153

$   2,980,465

$   3,096,365

5.7 %

(5.7) %

       Savings

3,785,445

3,746,403

3,828,139

3,980,020

4,029,717

1.0 %

(6.1) %

       Time

2,484,780

2,336,368

1,700,705

1,242,412

1,026,918

6.4 %

142.0 %

          Total interest-bearing deposits

9,189,697

8,844,582

8,565,997

8,202,897

8,153,000

3.9 %

12.7 %

       Noninterest-bearing

3,605,181

3,830,102

4,135,180

4,137,038

4,124,111

(5.9) %

(12.6) %

          Total deposits

12,794,878

12,674,684

12,701,177

12,339,935

12,277,111

0.9 %

4.2 %

     Federal funds purchased and securities sold

         under agreements to repurchase

0

0

0

3,535

0

0.0 %

0.0 %

     FHLB short-term borrowings

1,050,300

1,089,400

1,130,000

972,600

896,000

(3.6) %

17.2 %

     Other

165,983

128,160

157,156

184,912

152,226

29.5 %

9.0 %

          Total short-term borrowings

1,216,283

1,217,560

1,287,156

1,161,047

1,048,226

(0.1) %

16.0 %

     Long-term debt

339,963

342,647

346,672

355,116

358,578

(0.8) %

(5.2) %

          Total borrowed funds

1,556,246

1,560,207

1,633,828

1,516,163

1,406,804

(0.3) %

10.6 %

     Accrued interest and other liabilities

595,606

577,497

626,938

773,563

491,129

3.1 %

21.3 %

       Total Liabilities

14,946,730

14,812,388

14,961,943

14,629,661

14,175,044

0.9 %

5.4 %

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

     Common stock

1,632,659

1,629,428

1,634,605

1,631,696

1,637,237

0.2 %

(0.3) %

     Retained earnings

1,060,715

1,016,893

968,237

920,943

887,006

4.3 %

19.6 %

     Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(353,010)

(328,059)

(358,663)

(354,570)

(243,328)

7.6 %

45.1 %

     Treasury stock, at cost

(196,945)

(196,766)

(202,806)

(203,937)

(212,245)

0.1 %

(7.2) %

       Total Shareholders' Equity

2,143,419

2,121,496

2,041,373

1,994,132

2,068,670

1.0 %

3.6 %

       Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$  17,090,149

$ 16,933,884

$  17,003,316

$ 16,623,793

$  16,243,714

0.9 %

5.2 %

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Quarterly Averages

Year-to-Date Averages

June 30,

Mar. 31,

Dec. 31,

Sep. 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2023

2023

2022

2022

2022

2023

2022

ASSETS

     Cash and due from banks

$      221,527

$      218,724

$      218,216

$      228,068

$      248,463

$      220,133

$      244,887

     Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

329,584

318,026

372,054

317,146

294,136

323,837

284,006

     Investment securities

3,560,453

3,635,317

3,705,304

4,003,472

4,118,287

3,597,678

4,212,649

     Loans held for sale

11,856

5,531

8,639

12,283

15,446

8,711

15,517

     Loans and leases

       Commercial and industrial

3,469,683

3,456,681

3,249,252

3,040,547

2,884,373

3,463,218

2,810,901

       Lease financing

323,819

252,219

203,790

158,667

134,334

288,217

125,070

       Construction real estate

518,190

536,294

501,787

469,489

460,609

527,192

467,406

       Commercial real estate

4,050,946

4,017,021

4,028,944

3,969,935

4,025,493

4,034,077

4,081,969

       Residential real estate

1,181,053

1,115,889

1,066,859

998,476

936,165

1,148,651

919,956

       Home equity

726,333

728,185

735,039

728,791

716,219

727,254

710,001

       Installment

172,147

205,934

208,484

164,063

140,145

188,947

132,902

       Credit card

59,478

55,548

56,325

54,946

55,036

57,524

53,854

          Total loans

10,501,649

10,367,771

10,050,480

9,584,914

9,352,374

10,435,080

9,302,059

       Less:

          Allowance for credit losses

(145,578)

(136,419)

(127,541)

(119,000)

(123,950)

(141,024)

(126,760)

                Net loans

10,356,071

10,231,352

9,922,939

9,465,914

9,228,424

10,294,056

9,175,299

     Premises and equipment

190,583

190,346

189,342

190,738

191,895

190,465

192,361

     Operating leases

138,725

107,092

88,365

83,970

73,862

122,996

67,614

     Goodwill

1,005,791

1,005,713

998,575

999,690

999,958

1,005,752

1,000,097

     Other intangibles

89,878

92,587

95,256

97,781

100,354

91,225

101,686

     Accrued interest and other assets

1,063,587

1,138,311

1,168,908

986,927

915,153

1,100,743

891,335

       Total Assets

$  16,968,055

$ 16,942,999

$  16,767,598

$  16,385,989

$  16,185,978

$  16,955,596

$  16,185,451

LIABILITIES

     Deposits

       Interest-bearing demand

$   2,906,855

$   2,906,712

$   3,103,091

$   3,105,547

$   3,180,846

$   2,906,784

$   3,213,700

       Savings

3,749,902

3,818,807

3,943,342

4,036,565

4,076,380

3,784,164

4,110,806

       Time

2,393,707

2,131,707

1,360,681

1,052,669

1,055,650

2,263,431

1,142,973

          Total interest-bearing deposits

9,050,464

8,857,226

8,407,114

8,194,781

8,312,876

8,954,379

8,467,479

       Noninterest-bearing

3,663,419

3,954,915

4,225,192

4,176,242

4,224,842

3,808,362

4,192,687

          Total deposits

12,713,883

12,812,141

12,632,306

12,371,023

12,537,718

12,762,741

12,660,166

     Federal funds purchased and securities sold

          under agreements to repurchase

21,881

26,380

16,167

32,637

24,229

24,118

34,735

     FHLB short-term borrowings

1,028,207

925,144

944,320

892,786

586,846

976,960

423,232

     Other

132,088

139,195

184,439

131,237

109,353

135,622

71,535

          Total short-term borrowings

1,182,176

1,090,719

1,144,926

1,056,660

720,428

1,136,700

529,502

     Long-term debt

341,523

343,619

344,162

350,058

359,168

342,565

372,132

       Total borrowed funds

1,523,699

1,434,338

1,489,088

1,406,718

1,079,596

1,479,265

901,634

     Accrued interest and other liabilities

592,708

614,310

636,640

519,069

468,994

603,449

461,416

       Total Liabilities

14,830,290

14,860,789

14,758,034

14,296,810

14,086,308

14,845,455

14,023,216

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

     Common stock

1,631,230

1,633,396

1,632,941

1,631,078

1,635,990

1,632,307

1,637,149

     Retained earnings

1,034,092

989,777

941,987

899,524

866,910

1,012,057

854,351

     Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(330,263)

(339,450)

(361,284)

(236,566)

(190,949)

(334,831)

(115,120)

     Treasury stock, at cost

(197,294)

(201,513)

(204,080)

(204,857)

(212,281)

(199,392)

(214,145)

       Total Shareholders' Equity

2,137,765

2,082,210

2,009,564

2,089,179

2,099,670

2,110,141

2,162,235

       Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$  16,968,055

$ 16,942,999

$  16,767,598

$  16,385,989

$  16,185,978

$  16,955,596

$  16,185,451

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 Quarterly Averages

Year-to-Date Averages

June 30, 2023

March 31, 2023

June 30, 2022

June 30, 2023

June 30, 2022

Balance

Interest

Yield

Balance

Interest

Yield

Balance

Interest

Yield

Balance

Yield

Balance

Yield

Earning assets

    Investments:

      Investment securities

$  3,560,453

$       35,575

4.01 %

$  3,635,317

$      35,331

3.94 %

$  4,118,287

$      28,555

2.78 %

$  3,597,678

3.97 %

$  4,212,649

2.64 %

      Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

329,584

3,933

4.79 %

318,026

3,544

4.52 %

294,136

505

0.69 %

323,837

4.66 %

284,006

0.44 %

    Gross loans (1)

10,513,505

184,387

7.03 %

10,373,302

169,706

6.63 %

9,367,820

97,091

4.16 %

10,443,791

6.84 %

9,317,576

3.99 %

       Total earning assets

14,403,542

223,895

6.23 %

14,326,645

208,581

5.90 %

13,780,243

126,151

3.67 %

14,365,306

6.07 %

13,814,231

3.50 %

Nonearning assets

    Allowance for credit losses

(145,578)

(136,419)

(123,950)

(141,024)

(126,760)

    Cash and due from banks

221,527

218,724

248,463

220,133

244,887

    Accrued interest and other assets

2,488,564

2,534,049

2,281,222

2,511,181

2,253,093

       Total assets

$ 16,968,055

$ 16,942,999

$ 16,185,978

$ 16,955,596

$ 16,185,451

Interest-bearing liabilities

    Deposits:

      Interest-bearing demand

$  2,906,855

$        8,351

1.15 %

$  2,906,712

$        6,604

0.92 %

$  3,180,846

$           842

0.11 %

$  2,906,784

1.04 %

$  3,213,700

0.08 %

      Savings

3,749,902

14,055

1.50 %

3,818,807

7,628

0.81 %

4,076,380

1,003

0.10 %

3,784,164

1.16 %

4,110,806

0.09 %

      Time

2,393,707

21,886

3.67 %

2,131,707

17,224

3.28 %

1,055,650

1,118

0.42 %

2,263,431

3.48 %

1,142,973

0.42 %

    Total interest-bearing deposits

9,050,464

44,292

1.96 %

8,857,226

31,456

1.44 %

8,312,876

2,963

0.14 %

8,954,379

1.71 %

8,467,479

0.13 %

    Borrowed funds

      Short-term borrowings

1,182,176

15,536

5.27 %

1,090,719

12,950

4.82 %

720,428

1,566

0.87 %

1,136,700

5.05 %

529,502

0.72 %

      Long-term debt

341,523

4,835

5.68 %

343,619

4,857

5.73 %

359,168

4,612

5.15 %

342,565

5.71 %

372,132

4.96 %

        Total borrowed funds

1,523,699

20,371

5.36 %

1,434,338

17,807

5.03 %

1,079,596

6,178

2.30 %

1,479,265

5.20 %

901,634

2.47 %

       Total interest-bearing liabilities

10,574,163

64,663

2.45 %

10,291,564

49,263

1.94 %

9,392,472

9,141

0.39 %

10,433,644

2.20 %

9,369,113

0.36 %

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

3,663,419

3,954,915

4,224,842

3,808,362

4,192,687

    Other liabilities

592,708

614,310

468,994

603,449

461,416

    Shareholders' equity

2,137,765

2,082,210

2,099,670

2,110,141

2,162,235

       Total liabilities & shareholders' equity

$ 16,968,055

$ 16,942,999

$ 16,185,978

$ 16,955,596

$ 16,185,451

Net interest income

$      159,232

$      159,318

$      117,010

$      318,550

$      223,355

Net interest spread

3.78 %

3.96 %

3.28 %

3.87 %

3.14 %

Net interest margin

4.43 %

4.51 %

3.41 %

4.47 %

3.26 %

Tax equivalent adjustment

0.05 %

0.04 %

0.04 %

0.04 %

0.05 %

Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)

4.48 %

4.55 %

3.45 %

4.51 %

3.31 %

(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

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

$        593

$       (349)

$        244

$    12,594

$    (5,574)

$      7,020

$    27,944

$  (12,120)

$    15,824

    Interest-bearing deposits with other banks

209

180

389

3,005

423

3,428

5,932

920

6,852

    Gross loans (2)

10,223

4,458

14,681

67,203

20,093

87,296

131,636

38,184

169,820

       Total earning assets

11,025

4,289

15,314

82,802

14,942

97,744

165,512

26,984

192,496

Interest-bearing liabilities

    Total interest-bearing deposits

$    11,414

$      1,422

$    12,836

$    37,719

$     3,610

$    41,329

$    66,043

$     4,119

$    70,162

    Borrowed funds

    Short-term borrowings

1,227

1,359

2,586

7,902

6,068

13,970

11,386

15,217

26,603

    Long-term debt

(46)

24

(22)

473

(250)

223

1,373

(837)

536

       Total borrowed funds

1,181

1,383

2,564

8,375

5,818

14,193

12,759

14,380

27,139

       Total interest-bearing liabilities

12,595

2,805

15,400

46,094

9,428

55,522

78,802

18,499

97,301

          Net interest income (1)

$    (1,570)

$      1,484

$        (86)

$    36,708

$     5,514

$    42,222

$    86,710

$     8,485

$    95,195

(1) Not tax equivalent.

(2) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

CREDIT QUALITY

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Six months ended,

June 30,

Mar. 31,

Dec. 31,

Sep. 30,

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2023

2023

2022

2022

2022

2023

2022

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSS ACTIVITY

Balance at beginning of period

$  141,591

$  132,977

$  124,096

$  117,885

$  124,130

$ 132,977

$ 131,992

  Provision for credit losses

12,719

8,644

8,689

7,898

(4,267)

21,363

(9,856)

  Gross charge-offs

    Commercial and industrial

2,372

730

334

1,947

773

3,102

3,618

    Lease financing

90

13

0

13

8

103

139

    Construction real estate

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

    Commercial real estate

2,648

66

245

3

3,419

2,714

3,419

    Residential real estate

20

0

79

119

4

20

26

    Home equity

21

91

72

45

22

112

43

    Installment

1,515

1,524

717

294

361

3,039

538

    Credit card

274

217

212

237

212

491

458

      Total gross charge-offs

6,940

2,641

1,659

2,658

4,799

9,581

8,241

  Recoveries

    Commercial and industrial

631

109

293

90

177

740

556

    Lease financing

1

1

0

13

3

2

36

    Construction real estate

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

    Commercial real estate

153

2,238

1,327

561

2,194

2,391

2,416

    Residential real estate

113

66

15

35

34

179

124

    Home equity

232

80

88

185

360

312

625

    Installment

90

54

68

29

47

144

68

    Credit card

56

63

60

58

6

119

165

      Total recoveries

1,276

2,611

1,851

971

2,821

3,887

3,990

  Total net charge-offs

5,664

30

(192)

1,687

1,978

5,694

4,251

Ending allowance for credit losses

$  148,646

$  141,591

$  132,977

$  124,096

$  117,885

$ 148,646

$ 117,885

NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)

  Commercial and industrial

0.20 %

0.07 %

0.01 %

0.24 %

0.08 %

0.14 %

0.22 %

  Lease financing

0.11 %

0.02 %

0.00 %

0.00 %

0.01 %

0.07 %

0.17 %

  Construction real estate

0.00 %

0.00 %

0.00 %

0.00 %

0.00 %

0.00 %

0.00 %

  Commercial real estate

0.25 %

(0.22) %

(0.11) %

(0.06) %

0.12 %

0.02 %

0.05 %

  Residential real estate

(0.03) %

(0.02) %

0.02 %

0.03 %

(0.01) %

(0.03) %

(0.02) %

  Home equity

(0.12) %

0.01 %

(0.01) %

(0.08) %

(0.19) %

(0.06) %

(0.17) %

  Installment

3.32 %

2.89 %

1.24 %

0.64 %

0.90 %

3.09 %

0.71 %

  Credit card

1.47 %

1.12 %

1.07 %

1.29 %

1.50 %

1.30 %

1.10 %

     Total net charge-offs

0.22 %

0.00 %

(0.01) %

0.07 %

0.08 %

0.11 %

0.09 %

COMPONENTS OF NONPERFORMING LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS

  Nonaccrual loans (1)

    Commercial and industrial

$    21,508

$    13,971

$     8,242

$     8,719

$    11,675

$   21,508

$   11,675

    Lease financing

4,833

175

178

199

217

4,833

217

    Construction real estate

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

    Commercial real estate

11,876

5,362

5,786

13,435

14,650

11,876

14,650

    Residential real estate

11,697

11,129

10,691

10,250

8,879

11,697

8,879

    Home equity

3,239

3,399

3,123

3,445

3,331

3,239

3,331

    Installment

568

544

603

279

170

568

170

      Nonaccrual loans

53,721

34,580

28,623

36,327

38,922

53,721

38,922

  Accruing troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) (2)

N/A

N/A

10,960

11,022

11,225

N/A

11,225

     Total nonperforming loans (2)

53,721

34,580

39,583

47,349

50,147

53,721

50,147

  Other real estate owned (OREO)

281

191

191

22

22

281

22

     Total nonperforming assets (2)

54,002

34,771

39,774

47,371

50,169

54,002

50,169

  Accruing loans past due 90 days or more

873

159

857

139

142

873

142

     Total underperforming assets (2)

$    54,875

$    34,930

$    40,631

$    47,510

$    50,311

$   54,875

$   50,311

Total classified assets (2)

$  138,909

$  158,984

$  128,137

$  114,956

$  119,769

$ 138,909

$ 119,769

CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS

Allowance for credit losses to

     Nonaccrual loans

276.70 %

409.46 %

464.58 %

341.61 %

302.87 %

276.70 %

302.87 %

     Nonperforming loans

276.70 %

409.46 %

335.94 %

262.09 %

235.08 %

276.70 %

235.08 %

     Total ending loans

1.41 %

1.36 %

1.29 %

1.27 %

1.25 %

1.41 %

1.25 %

Nonperforming loans to total loans

0.51 %

0.33 %

0.38 %

0.48 %

0.53 %

0.51 %

0.53 %

Nonaccrual loans to total loans

0.51 %

0.33 %

0.28 %

0.37 %

0.41 %

0.51 %

0.41 %

Nonperforming assets to

     Ending loans, plus OREO

0.51 %

0.33 %

0.39 %

0.48 %

0.53 %

0.51 %

0.53 %

     Total assets

0.32 %

0.21 %

0.23 %

0.28 %

0.31 %

0.32 %

0.31 %

Nonperforming assets, excluding accruing TDRs to

     Ending loans, plus OREO

0.51 %

0.33 %

0.28 %

0.37 %

0.41 %

0.51 %

0.41 %

     Total assets

0.32 %

0.21 %

0.17 %

0.22 %

0.24 %

0.32 %

0.24 %

Classified assets to total assets

0.81 %

0.94 %

0.75 %

0.69 %

0.74 %

0.81 %

0.74 %

(1)  Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $10.0 million, $12.8 million, and $9.5 million, as of December 31, 2022, September 30, 2022, and June 30, 2022, respectively.

(2)  Upon adoption of ASU 2022-02 as of January 1, 2023, the TDR model was eliminated.  Prospectively, disclosures will include modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty (FDM).  FDMs are excluded from nonperforming, underperforming and classified assets. 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

CAPITAL ADEQUACY

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Six months ended,

June 30,

Mar. 31,

Dec. 31,

Sep. 30,

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2023

2023

2022

2022

2022

2023

2022

PER COMMON SHARE

Market Price

  High

$        22.27

$        26.24

$        26.68

$        23.75

$        23.03

$      26.24

$     26.73

  Low

$        18.20

$        21.30

$        21.56

$        19.02

$        19.09

$      18.20

$     19.09

  Close

$        20.44

$        21.77

$        24.23

$        21.08

$        19.40

$      20.44

$     19.40

Average shares outstanding - basic

93,924,068

93,732,532

93,590,674

93,582,250

93,555,131

93,828,829

93,470,005

Average shares outstanding - diluted

95,169,348

94,960,158

94,831,788

94,793,766

94,449,817

95,065,334

94,357,392

Ending shares outstanding

95,185,483

95,190,406

94,891,099

94,833,964

94,448,792

95,185,483

94,448,792

Total shareholders' equity

$  2,143,419

$  2,121,496

$  2,041,373

$  1,994,132

$  2,068,670

$                  2,143,419

$                  2,068,670

REGULATORY CAPITAL

Preliminary

Preliminary

Common equity tier 1 capital

$  1,481,913

$  1,432,332

$  1,399,420

$  1,348,413

$  1,307,259

$                  1,481,913

$                  1,307,259

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio

11.30 %

11.00 %

10.83 %

10.82 %

10.91 %

11.30 %

10.91 %

Tier 1 capital

$  1,526,362

$  1,476,734

$  1,443,698

$  1,392,565

$  1,351,287

$                  1,526,362

$                  1,351,287

Tier 1 ratio

11.64 %

11.34 %

11.17 %

11.17 %

11.28 %

11.64 %

11.28 %

Total capital

$  1,828,737

$  1,778,917

$  1,762,971

$  1,711,741

$  1,670,367

$                  1,828,737

$                  1,670,367

Total capital ratio

13.94 %

13.66 %

13.64 %

13.73 %

13.94 %

13.94 %

13.94 %

Total capital in excess of minimum requirement

$    451,297

$    411,234

$    406,032

$    402,662

$    412,167

$  451,297

$ 412,167

Total risk-weighted assets

$  13,118,477

$  13,025,552

$  12,923,233

$  12,467,422

$  11,982,860

$  13,118,477

$  11,982,860

Leverage ratio

9.33 %

9.03 %

8.89 %

8.88 %

8.76 %

9.33 %

8.76 %

OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS

Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets

12.54 %

12.53 %

12.01 %

12.00 %

12.74 %

12.54 %

12.74 %

Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets (1)

6.56 %

6.47 %

5.95 %

5.79 %

6.40 %

6.56 %

6.40 %

Average shareholders' equity to average assets

12.60 %

12.29 %

11.98 %

12.75 %

12.97 %

12.45 %

13.36 %

Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets (1)

6.57 %

6.21 %

5.84 %

6.49 %

6.62 %

6.39 %

7.03 %

REPURCHASE PROGRAM (2)

Shares repurchased

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Average share repurchase price

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Total cost of shares repurchased

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

(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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SOURCE First Financial Bancorp.