8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 23, 2025

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	001-34762		31-1042001
(State or other jurisdiction of<br>incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. employer<br>identification number)
255 East Fifth Street, Suite 900	Cincinnati,	Ohio	45202
(Address of principal executive offices)			(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (877) 322-9530

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol	Name of exchange on which registered
Common stock, No par value	FFBC	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company     ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ☐

Item 2.02    Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On January 23, 2025, First Financial Bancorp. (the "Company") issued its earnings press release that included its results of operations and financial condition for the twelve months and fourth quarter of 2024. A copy of the earnings press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

The Company also provided electronic presentation slides that will be used in connection with the earnings conference call. A copy of the electronic presentation slides is included in this Report as Exhibit 99.2 and will be available on the Company's website, www.bankatfirst.com.

The information set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the information in Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 attached hereto) is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")    , or otherwise subject to the liabilities under the Exchange Act. Such information shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits:

The following exhibits shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of the Exchange Act:

Exhibit No.    Description

99.1 First Financial Bancorp. Press Release datedJanuary23, 2025

99.2 First Financial Bancorp. presentation materials

104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

		By: /s/ James M. Anderson
		James M. Anderson
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date:	January 23, 2025

Document

Exhibit 99.1

First Financial Bancorp Announces Fourth Quarter and

Full Year 2024 Financial Results

•Earnings per diluted share of $0.68; $0.71 on an adjusted(1) basis

•Return on average assets of 1.41%; 1.47% on an adjusted(1) basis

•Net interest margin on FTE basis(1) of 3.94%

•Noninterest income of $69.9 million; $69.7 million on an adjusted(1) basis

•Loan growth of $208.7 million; 7.2% on an annualized basis

•Average deposit growth of $543.1 million; 15.7% on an annualized basis

Cincinnati, Ohio - January 24, 2025. First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial” or the “Company”) announced financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024.

For the three months ended December 31, 2024, the Company reported net income of $64.9 million, or $0.68 per diluted common share. These results compare to net income of $52.5 million, or $0.55 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2024. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, First Financial had earnings per diluted share of $2.40 compared to $2.69 for the same period in 2023.

Return on average assets for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 1.41% while return on average tangible common equity was 19.08%(1). These compare to return on average assets of 1.17% and return on average tangible common equity of 16.29%(1) in the third quarter of 2024.

Fourth quarter 2024 highlights include:

•Robust net interest margin of 3.91%, or 3.94% on a fully tax-equivalent basis(1)

◦14 bp decline from third quarter, in line with initial expectations

◦13 bp decline in cost of deposits and favorable shift in funding mix offset by 37 bp decline in loan yields

•Noninterest income of $69.9 million, or $69.7 million as adjusted(1)

◦Adjustments include $0.1 million gain on securities

◦Record wealth management income

◦Strong results from foreign exchange and leasing businesses

•Noninterest expenses of $147.9 million, or $130.9 million as adjusted(1); 5.0% increase from linked quarter

◦Fourth quarter adjustments(1) include $4.7 million of efficiency related costs, $14.3 million of tax credit writedowns, $1.0 million of state tax credits and $2.0 million of gains on the sale of previously closed branches

◦Increase from prior quarter driven by higher incentive compensation tied to increase in noninterest income and overall company performance

◦Efficiency ratio of 66.0%; 58.4% as adjusted(1)

•Broad-based loan growth during the quarter

◦Loan balances increased $208.7 million compared to the linked quarter; 7% annualized growth

◦Growth driven by C&I, ICRE, leasing and mortgage

_________________________________________________________________________________________

(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.

•Average deposit growth surged during the quarter

◦Average deposits increased $543.1 million, or 15.7% on an annualized basis

◦Growth across most product types offset a decline in brokered CDs and savings

•Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $173.7 million; Total quarterly provision expense of $9.4 million

◦Loans and leases - ACL of $156.8 million; ratio to total loans of 1.33% declined 4 bps from third quarter

◦Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $16.9 million

◦Provision expense driven by net charge offs, slower prepayment rates and loan growth

◦Classified assets increased 7 bps to 1.21% of total assets

◦Annualized net charge-offs were 40 bps of total loans; 30 bps for full year

•Capital ratios stable and strong

◦Total capital ratio decreased 15 bps to 14.43%

◦Tier 1 common equity increased 12 bps to 12.16%

◦Tangible common equity of 7.73%(1); 9.39%(1) excluding impact from AOCI

◦Tangible book value per share of $14.15(1)

Archie Brown, President and CEO, commented on the quarter, "I am very pleased with our fourth quarter performance. Adjusted(1) earnings per share were $0.71, leading to an adjusted(1) return on assets of 1.47%, and an adjusted(1) return on tangible common equity ratio of 19.90%. As expected, due to decreases in short term rates by the Fed, the decline in asset yields outpaced the decline in deposit costs, leading to a reduction in our net interest margin to 3.94%. Balance sheet trends were very strong for the quarter with loan growth exceeding 7% on an annualized basis and total deposits surging by approximately 16% on an annualized basis."

Mr. Brown continued, “Adjusted(1) noninterest income was robust in the fourth quarter with leasing, foreign exchange and wealth management income all increasing by double-digit percentages from the linked quarter. While adjusted(1) expenses increased by 5% from the linked quarter, the increase was driven by higher incentive compensation tied to the strong fee income and overall company performance. Our workforce efficiency initiative continued during the quarter, and we have eliminated 145 positions to date. We expect to complete this work in 2025."

Mr. Brown commented on asset quality, “Asset quality was relatively stable for the quarter. Nonperforming assets were flat compared to the linked quarter at 0.36%, while classified assets increased by 7 basis points to 1.21%. The increase in classified assets was driven by the mutually agreed upon termination of a foreign exchange trade, resulting in a $45 million obligation from the customer, which we believe is fully collateralized. We expect the customer to pay this obligation in 2025. Net charge-offs were slightly elevated due to the resolution of three loans that have been longer term workouts. We believe that overall credit trends are improving and, as a result, we anticipate lower credit costs going forward."

Mr. Brown highlighted full year results. "2024 was an excellent year for our Company. On an adjusted(1) basis, we earned $249 million, or $2.61 per share. Adjusted(1) return on assets was 1.40% and adjusted(1) return on tangible common equity was 19.9%. While the net interest margin declined from 4.40% to 4.05%, due to declining short-term rates, strong loan growth offset most of the impact with net interest income declining by only 2.5%. Noninterest income increased by 13.3% to a record $241.8 million, led by growth in leasing and wealth management income. The result was record revenue for the Company of $853.8 million, which was a 2% increase over 2023."

Mr. Brown continued, “I am very pleased with our balance sheet growth for the year. Total loans increased by 7.6% to $11.8 billion and total deposits increased by 7.2% to $14.3 billion. Additionally, tangible common equity increased by 56 basis points to 7.73% and tangible book value per share increased from $12.38 to $14.15, which was a 14.3% increase."

Mr. Brown commented on asset quality, "Similar to the fourth quarter, asset quality was relatively stable for the year. Net charge-offs as a percent of average loans declined 3 basis points to 0.30% and nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets declined by 2 basis points to 0.36%."

Mr. Brown concluded, "During the year, we were excited to add the Agile team and I want to thank them for making an immediate contribution to our Company. We continued to gain momentum in our expansion markets, Chicago, IL, Evansville, IN and Cleveland, OH and at the beginning of 2025, we expanded into Grand Rapids, MI with a commercial banking team. We look forward to the continued growth and success of our expansion strategies. Performing at a consistently high level requires an engaged team that is committed to its clients. This describes the team at First Financial. I want to thank our associates for their outstanding work in 2024.”

Full detail of the Company’s fourth quarter 2024 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 24, 2025 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), (609) 800-9099 (U.S. toll), access code 5048068. The recording will be available until February 7, 2025. 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 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, 2023, 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, 2024, the Company had $18.6 billion in assets, $11.8 billion in loans, $14.3 billion in deposits and $2.4 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 $3.7 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. The Company operated 127 full service banking centers as of December 31, 2024, 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.

Contact Information

Investors/Analysts                    Media

Jamie Anderson                        Tim Condron

Chief Financial Officer                    Director of Corporate Communications

(513) 887-5400                        (513) 979-5796

InvestorRelations@bankatfirst.com            media@bankatfirst.com

Selected Financial Information

December 31, 2024

(unaudited)

Contents	Page
Consolidated Financial Highlights	2
Consolidated Quarterly 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,			Dec. 31,
	2024			2024			2024			2024			2023			2024			2023
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income	$	64,885		$	52,451		$	60,805		$	50,689		$	56,732		$	228,830		$	255,863
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.69		$	0.56		$	0.64		$	0.54		$	0.60		$	2.42		$	2.72
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.68		$	0.55		$	0.64		$	0.53		$	0.60		$	2.40		$	2.69
Dividends declared per share	$	0.24		$	0.24		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.94		$	0.92
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets	1.41		%	1.17		%	1.38		%	1.18		%	1.31		%	1.29		%	1.51		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.57		%	8.80		%	10.72		%	9.00		%	10.50		%	9.78		%	12.01		%
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (1)	19.08		%	16.29		%	20.57		%	17.35		%	21.36		%	18.31		%	24.72		%
Net interest margin	3.91		%	4.05		%	4.06		%	4.05		%	4.21		%	4.02		%	4.36		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)(2)	3.94		%	4.08		%	4.10		%	4.10		%	4.26		%	4.05		%	4.40		%
Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets	13.13		%	13.50		%	12.81		%	12.99		%	12.94		%	13.13		%	12.94		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets (1)	7.73		%	7.98		%	7.23		%	7.23		%	7.17		%	7.73		%	7.17		%
Risk-weighted assets (1)	9.61		%	9.86		%	8.95		%	8.80		%	8.81		%	9.61		%	8.81		%
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets	13.36		%	13.28		%	12.87		%	13.09		%	12.52		%	13.15		%	12.53		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of average tangible assets (1)	7.87		%	7.64		%	7.15		%	7.25		%	6.57		%	7.48		%	6.51		%
Book value per share	$	25.53		$	25.66		$	24.36		$	23.95		$	23.84		$	25.53		$	23.84
Tangible book value per share (1)	$	14.15		$	14.26		$	12.94		$	12.50		$	12.38		$	14.15		$	12.38
Common equity tier 1 ratio (3)	12.16		%	12.04		%	11.78		%	11.67		%	11.73		%	12.16		%	11.73		%
Tier 1 ratio (3)	12.48		%	12.37		%	12.11		%	12.00		%	12.06		%	12.48		%	12.06		%
Total capital ratio (3)	14.43		%	14.58		%	14.47		%	14.31		%	14.26		%	14.43		%	14.26		%
Leverage ratio (3)	9.98		%	9.93		%	9.73		%	9.75		%	9.70		%	9.98		%	9.70		%
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans (4)	$	11,687,886		$	11,534,000		$	11,440,930		$	11,066,184		$	10,751,028		$	11,433,226		$	10,566,587
Investment securities	3,372,539			3,274,498			3,131,541			3,137,665			3,184,408			3,229,577			3,442,233
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	654,251			483,880			599,348			553,654			548,153			572,763			396,089
Total earning assets	$	15,714,676		$	15,292,378		$	15,171,819		$	14,757,503		$	14,483,589		$	15,235,566		$	14,404,909
Total assets	$	18,273,419		$	17,854,191		$	17,728,251		$	17,306,221		$	17,124,955		$	17,792,014		$	16,997,223
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	3,162,643		$	3,106,239		$	3,144,198		$	3,169,750		$	3,368,024		$	3,145,646		$	3,617,961
Interest-bearing deposits	11,177,010			10,690,265			10,486,068			10,109,416			9,834,819			10,617,427			9,261,866
Total deposits	$	14,339,653		$	13,796,504		$	13,630,266		$	13,279,166		$	13,202,843		$	13,763,073		$	12,879,827
Borrowings	$	855,083		$	1,053,737		$	1,171,246		$	1,139,014		$	1,083,954		$	1,054,222		$	1,360,420
Shareholders' equity	$	2,441,045		$	2,371,125		$	2,281,040		$	2,265,562		$	2,144,482		$	2,340,056		$	2,129,751
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans	1.33		%	1.37		%	1.36		%	1.29		%	1.29		%	1.33		%	1.29		%
Allowance to nonaccrual loans	237.66		%	242.72		%	249.21		%	243.55		%	215.10		%	237.66		%	215.10		%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans	0.56		%	0.57		%	0.54		%	0.53		%	0.60		%	0.56		%	0.60		%
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO	0.56		%	0.57		%	0.54		%	0.53		%	0.60		%	0.56		%	0.60		%
Nonperforming assets to total assets	0.36		%	0.36		%	0.35		%	0.34		%	0.38		%	0.36		%	0.38		%
Classified assets to total assets	1.21		%	1.14		%	1.07		%	0.92		%	0.80		%	1.21		%	0.80		%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)	0.40		%	0.25		%	0.15		%	0.38		%	0.46		%	0.30		%	0.33		%

(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, 2024 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,								Twelve months ended,
	Dec. 31,								Dec. 31,
	2024			2023			% Change		2024			2023			% Change
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$	207,508		$	197,416		5.1	%	$	836,541		$	743,770		12.5	%
Investment securities
Taxable	33,978			30,294			12.2	%	124,936			125,520			(0.5)	%
Tax-exempt	2,423			3,402			(28.8)	%	10,835			13,901			(22.1)	%
Total investment securities interest	36,401			33,696			8.0	%	135,771			139,421			(2.6)	%
Other earning assets	7,662			7,325			4.6	%	29,783			19,813			50.3	%
Total interest income	251,571			238,437			5.5	%	1,002,095			903,004			11.0	%
Interest expense
Deposits	85,441			69,193			23.5	%	331,092			202,010			63.9	%
Short-term borrowings	6,586			10,277			(35.9)	%	38,856			53,378			(27.2)	%
Long-term borrowings	5,145			5,202			(1.1)	%	20,137			19,846			1.5	%
Total interest expense	97,172			84,672			14.8	%	390,085			275,234			41.7	%
Net interest income	154,399			153,765			0.4	%	612,010			627,770			(2.5)	%
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases	9,705			8,804			10.2	%	49,211			43,074			14.2	%
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments	(273)			1,426			(119.1)	%	(1,552)			33			N/M
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	144,967			143,535			1.0	%	564,351			584,663			(3.5)	%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	7,632			6,846			11.5	%	29,279			27,289			7.3	%
Wealth management fees	7,962			6,091			30.7	%	28,720			26,081			10.1	%
Bankcard income	3,659			3,349			9.3	%	14,399			14,039			2.6	%
Client derivative fees	1,528			711			114.9	%	4,701			5,155			(8.8)	%
Foreign exchange income	16,794			8,730			92.4	%	56,064			54,051			3.7	%
Leasing business income	19,413			12,856			51.0	%	67,641			51,322			31.8	%
Net gains from sales of loans	4,634			2,957			56.7	%	17,918			13,217			35.6	%
Net gain (loss) on investment securities	144			(649)			122.2	%	(22,575)			(1,052)			N/M
Other	8,088			6,102			32.5	%	27,421			22,320			22.9	%
Total noninterest income	69,854			46,993			48.6	%	223,568			212,422			5.2	%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	80,314			70,637			13.7	%	304,389			292,731			4.0	%
Net occupancy	5,415			5,890			(8.1)	%	23,050			22,990			0.3	%
Furniture and equipment	3,476			3,523			(1.3)	%	14,427			13,543			6.5	%
Data processing	9,139			8,488			7.7	%	35,178			35,852			(1.9)	%
Marketing	2,204			2,087			5.6	%	9,026			9,647			(6.4)	%
Communication	767			707			8.5	%	3,229			2,729			18.3	%
Professional services	6,631			3,148			110.6	%	14,087			9,926			41.9	%
State intangible tax	(104)			984			(110.6)	%	2,524			3,914			(35.5)	%
FDIC assessments	2,736			3,651			(25.1)	%	11,209			11,948			(6.2)	%
Intangible amortization	2,395			2,601			(7.9)	%	9,487			10,402			(8.8)	%
Leasing business expense	12,536			8,955			40.0	%	44,317			32,500			36.4	%
Other	22,398			8,466			164.6	%	48,672			32,307			50.7	%
Total noninterest expenses	147,907			119,137			24.1	%	519,595			478,489			8.6	%
Income before income taxes	66,914			71,391			(6.3)	%	268,324			318,596			(15.8)	%
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,029			14,659			(86.2)	%	39,494			62,733			(37.0)	%
Net income	$	64,885		$	56,732		14.4	%	$	228,830		$	255,863		(10.6)	%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.69		$	0.60				$	2.42		$	2.72
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.68		$	0.60				$	2.40		$	2.69
Dividends declared per share	$	0.24		$	0.23				$	0.94		$	0.92
Return on average assets	1.41		%	1.31		%			1.29		%	1.51		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.57		%	10.50		%			9.78		%	12.01		%
Interest income	$	251,571		$	238,437		5.5	%	$	1,002,095		$	903,004		11.0	%
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,274			1,672			(23.8)	%	5,589			6,356			(12.1)	%
Interest income - tax equivalent	252,845			240,109			5.3	%	1,007,684			909,360			10.8	%
Interest expense	97,172			84,672			14.8	%	390,085			275,234			41.7	%
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	155,673		$	155,437		0.2	%	$	617,599		$	634,126		(2.6)	%
Net interest margin	3.91		%	4.21		%			4.02		%	4.36		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	3.94		%	4.26		%			4.05		%	4.40		%
Full-time equivalent employees	2,064			2,129
(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)
	2024
	Fourth			Third			Second			First			Year to			% Change
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Date			Linked Qtr.
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$	207,508		$	215,433		$	211,760		$	201,840		$	836,541		(3.7)	%
Investment securities
Taxable	33,978			32,367			30,295			28,296			124,936			5.0	%
Tax-exempt	2,423			2,616			2,704			3,092			10,835			(7.4)	%
Total investment securities interest	36,401			34,983			32,999			31,388			135,771			4.1	%
Other earning assets	7,662			6,703			7,960			7,458			29,783			14.3	%
Total interest income	251,571			257,119			252,719			240,686			1,002,095			(2.2)	%
Interest expense
Deposits	85,441			86,554			83,022			76,075			331,092			(1.3)	%
Short-term borrowings	6,586			9,932			11,395			10,943			38,856			(33.7)	%
Long-term borrowings	5,145			5,073			4,991			4,928			20,137			1.4	%
Total interest expense	97,172			101,559			99,408			91,946			390,085			(4.3)	%
Net interest income	154,399			155,560			153,311			148,740			612,010			(0.7)	%
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases	9,705			9,930			16,157			13,419			49,211			(2.3)	%
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments	(273)			694			286			(2,259)			(1,552)			(139.3)	%
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	144,967			144,936			136,868			137,580			564,351			0.0	%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	7,632			7,547			7,188			6,912			29,279			1.1	%
Wealth management fees	7,962			6,910			7,172			6,676			28,720			15.2	%
Bankcard income	3,659			3,698			3,900			3,142			14,399			(1.1)	%
Client derivative fees	1,528			1,160			763			1,250			4,701			31.7	%
Foreign exchange income	16,794			12,048			16,787			10,435			56,064			39.4	%
Leasing business income	19,413			16,811			16,828			14,589			67,641			15.5	%
Net gains from sales of loans	4,634			5,021			4,479			3,784			17,918			(7.7)	%
Net gain (loss) on investment securities	144			(17,468)			(64)			(5,187)			(22,575)			100.8	%
Other	8,088			9,974			4,448			4,911			27,421			(18.9)	%
Total noninterest income	69,854			45,701			61,501			46,512			223,568			52.9	%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	80,314			74,813			75,225			74,037			304,389			7.4	%
Net occupancy	5,415			5,919			5,793			5,923			23,050			(8.5)	%
Furniture and equipment	3,476			3,617			3,646			3,688			14,427			(3.9)	%
Data processing	9,139			8,857			8,877			8,305			35,178			3.2	%
Marketing	2,204			2,255			2,605			1,962			9,026			(2.3)	%
Communication	767			851			816			795			3,229			(9.9)	%
Professional services	6,631			2,303			2,885			2,268			14,087			187.9	%
State intangible tax	(104)			876			875			877			2,524			(111.9)	%
FDIC assessments	2,736			3,036			2,657			2,780			11,209			(9.9)	%
Intangible amortization	2,395			2,395			2,396			2,301			9,487			0.0	%
Leasing business expense	12,536			11,899			10,128			9,754			44,317			5.4	%
Other	22,398			8,938			7,671			9,665			48,672			150.6	%
Total noninterest expenses	147,907			125,759			123,574			122,355			519,595			17.6	%
Income before income taxes	66,914			64,878			74,795			61,737			268,324			3.1	%
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,029			12,427			13,990			11,048			39,494			(83.7)	%
Net income	$	64,885		$	52,451		$	60,805		$	50,689		$	228,830		23.7	%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.69		$	0.56		$	0.64		$	0.54		$	2.42
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.68		$	0.55		$	0.64		$	0.53		$	2.40
Dividends declared per share	$	0.24		$	0.24		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.94
Return on average assets	1.41		%	1.17		%	1.38		%	1.18		%	1.29		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.57		%	8.80		%	10.72		%	9.00		%	9.78		%
Interest income	$	251,571		$	257,119		$	252,719		$	240,686		$	1,002,095		(2.2)	%
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,274			1,362			1,418			1,535			5,589			(6.5)	%
Interest income - tax equivalent	252,845			258,481			254,137			242,221			1,007,684			(2.2)	%
Interest expense	97,172			101,559			99,408			91,946			390,085			(4.3)	%
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	155,673		$	156,922		$	154,729		$	150,275		$	617,599		(0.8)	%
Net interest margin	3.91		%	4.05		%	4.06		%	4.05		%	4.02		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	3.94		%	4.08		%	4.10		%	4.10		%	4.05		%
Full-time equivalent employees	2,064			2,084			2,144			2,116
(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.
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CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	2023
	Fourth			Third			Second			First			Full
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$	197,416		$	192,261		$	184,387		$	169,706		$	743,770
Investment securities
Taxable	30,294			31,297			32,062			31,867			125,520
Tax-exempt	3,402			3,522			3,513			3,464			13,901
Total investment securities interest	33,696			34,819			35,575			35,331			139,421
Other earning assets	7,325			5,011			3,933			3,544			19,813
Total interest income	238,437			232,091			223,895			208,581			903,004
Interest expense
Deposits	69,193			57,069			44,292			31,456			202,010
Short-term borrowings	10,277			14,615			15,536			12,950			53,378
Long-term borrowings	5,202			4,952			4,835			4,857			19,846
Total interest expense	84,672			76,636			64,663			49,263			275,234
Net interest income	153,765			155,455			159,232			159,318			627,770
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases	8,804			12,907			12,719			8,644			43,074
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments	1,426			(1,234)			(1,994)			1,835			33
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	143,535			143,782			148,507			148,839			584,663
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	6,846			6,957			6,972			6,514			27,289
Wealth management fees	6,091			6,943			6,713			6,334			26,081
Bankcard income	3,349			3,406			3,692			3,592			14,039
Client derivative fees	711			1,612			1,827			1,005			5,155
Foreign exchange income	8,730			13,384			15,039			16,898			54,051
Leasing business income	12,856			14,537			10,265			13,664			51,322
Net gains from sales of loans	2,957			4,086			3,839			2,335			13,217
Net gain (loss) on investment securities	(649)			(58)			(466)			121			(1,052)
Other	6,102			5,761			5,377			5,080			22,320
Total noninterest income	46,993			56,628			53,258			55,543			212,422
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	70,637			75,641			74,199			72,254			292,731
Net occupancy	5,890			5,809			5,606			5,685			22,990
Furniture and equipment	3,523			3,341			3,362			3,317			13,543
Data processing	8,488			8,473			9,871			9,020			35,852
Marketing	2,087			2,598			2,802			2,160			9,647
Communication	707			744			644			634			2,729
Professional services	3,148			2,524			2,308			1,946			9,926
State intangible tax	984			981			964			985			3,914
FDIC assessments	3,651			2,665			2,806			2,826			11,948
Intangible amortization	2,601			2,600			2,601			2,600			10,402
Leasing business expense	8,955			8,877			6,730			7,938			32,500
Other	8,466			7,791			8,722			7,328			32,307
Total noninterest expenses	119,137			122,044			120,615			116,693			478,489
Income before income taxes	71,391			78,366			81,150			87,689			318,596
Income tax expense (benefit)	14,659			15,305			15,483			17,286			62,733
Net income	$	56,732		$	63,061		$	65,667		$	70,403		$	255,863
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.60		$	0.67		$	0.70		$	0.75		$	2.72
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.60		$	0.66		$	0.69		$	0.74		$	2.69
Dividends declared per share	$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.92
Return on average assets	1.31		%	1.48		%	1.55		%	1.69		%	1.51		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.50		%	11.62		%	12.32		%	13.71		%	12.01		%
Interest income	$	238,437		$	232,091		$	223,895		$	208,581		$	903,004
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,672			1,659			1,601			1,424			6,356
Interest income - tax equivalent	240,109			233,750			225,496			210,005			909,360
Interest expense	84,672			76,636			64,663			49,263			275,234
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	155,437		$	157,114		$	160,833		$	160,742		$	634,126
Net interest margin	4.21		%	4.28		%	4.43		%	4.51		%	4.36		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	4.26		%	4.33		%	4.48		%	4.55		%	4.40		%
Full-time equivalent employees	2,129			2,121			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.
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Dec. 31,		Sep. 30,		June 30,		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		% Change		% Change
	2024		2024		2024		2024		2023		Linked Qtr.		Comp Qtr.
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	174,258	$	190,618	$	193,794	$	199,407	$	213,059	(8.6)	%	(18.2)	%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	730,228		660,576		738,555		751,290		792,960		10.5	%	(7.9)	%
Investment securities available-for-sale	3,183,776		3,157,265		3,036,758		2,850,667		3,021,126		0.8	%	5.4	%
Investment securities held-to-maturity	76,960		77,985		78,921		79,542		80,321		(1.3)	%	(4.2)	%
Other investments	114,598		120,318		132,412		125,548		129,945		(4.8)	%	(11.8)	%
Loans held for sale	13,181		12,685		16,911		11,534		9,213		3.9	%	43.1	%
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	3,815,858		3,678,546		3,782,487		3,591,428		3,501,221		3.7	%	9.0	%
Lease financing	598,045		587,415		534,557		492,862		474,817		1.8	%	26.0	%
Construction real estate	779,446		802,264		741,406		641,596		564,832		(2.8)	%	38.0	%
Commercial real estate	4,061,744		4,034,820		4,076,596		4,145,969		4,080,939		0.7	%	(0.5)	%
Residential real estate	1,462,284		1,422,186		1,377,290		1,344,677		1,333,674		2.8	%	9.6	%
Home equity	849,039		825,431		800,860		773,811		758,676		2.9	%	11.9	%
Installment	133,051		141,270		148,530		153,838		159,078		(5.8)	%	(16.4)	%
Credit card	62,311		61,140		59,477		60,939		59,939		1.9	%	4.0	%
Total loans	11,761,778		11,553,072		11,521,203		11,205,120		10,933,176		1.8	%	7.6	%
Less:
Allowance for credit losses	(156,791)		(158,831)		(156,185)		(144,274)		(141,433)		(1.3)	%	10.9	%
Net loans	11,604,987		11,394,241		11,365,018		11,060,846		10,791,743		1.8	%	7.5	%
Premises and equipment	197,965		196,692		197,873		198,428		194,740		0.6	%	1.7	%
Operating leases	209,119		201,080		167,472		161,473		153,214		4.0	%	36.5	%
Goodwill	1,007,656		1,007,656		1,007,656		1,007,656		1,005,868		0.0	%	0.2	%
Other intangibles	79,291		81,547		83,528		85,603		83,949		(2.8)	%	(5.5)	%
Accrued interest and other assets	1,178,242		1,045,669		1,147,282		1,067,244		1,056,762		12.7	%	11.5	%
Total Assets	$	18,570,261	$	18,146,332	$	18,166,180	$	17,599,238	$	17,532,900	2.3	%	5.9	%
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	3,095,724	$	2,884,971	$	2,922,540	$	2,916,518	$	2,993,219	7.3	%	3.4	%
Savings	4,948,768		4,710,223		4,628,320		4,467,894		4,331,228		5.1	%	14.3	%
Time	3,152,265		3,244,861		3,049,635		2,896,860		2,718,390		(2.9)	%	16.0	%
Total interest-bearing deposits	11,196,757		10,840,055		10,600,495		10,281,272		10,042,837		3.3	%	11.5	%
Noninterest-bearing	3,132,381		3,107,699		3,061,427		3,175,876		3,317,960		0.8	%	(5.6)	%
Total deposits	14,329,138		13,947,754		13,661,922		13,457,148		13,360,797		2.7	%	7.2	%
FHLB short-term borrowings	625,000		765,000		1,040,000		700,000		800,000		(18.3)	%	(21.9)	%
Other	130,452		46,653		139,172		162,145		137,814		179.6	%	(5.3)	%
Total short-term borrowings	755,452		811,653		1,179,172		862,145		937,814		(6.9)	%	(19.4)	%
Long-term debt	347,509		344,086		338,556		343,236		344,115		1.0	%	1.0	%
Total borrowed funds	1,102,961		1,155,739		1,517,728		1,205,381		1,281,929		(4.6)	%	(14.0)	%
Accrued interest and other liabilities	700,121		592,401		660,091		649,706		622,200		18.2	%	12.5	%
Total Liabilities	16,132,220		15,695,894		15,839,741		15,312,235		15,264,926		2.8	%	5.7	%
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	1,642,055		1,639,045		1,635,705		1,632,971		1,638,972		0.2	%	0.2	%
Retained earnings	1,276,329		1,234,375		1,204,844		1,166,065		1,136,718		3.4	%	12.3	%
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(289,799)		(232,262)		(323,409)		(321,109)		(309,819)		24.8	%	(6.5)	%
Treasury stock, at cost	(190,544)		(190,720)		(190,701)		(190,924)		(197,897)		(0.1)	%	(3.7)	%
Total Shareholders' Equity	2,438,041		2,450,438		2,326,439		2,287,003		2,267,974		(0.5)	%	7.5	%
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	18,570,261	$	18,146,332	$	18,166,180	$	17,599,238	$	17,532,900	2.3	%	5.9	%
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
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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,
	2024		2024		2024		2024		2023		2024		2023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	182,242	$	179,321	$	174,435	$	204,119	$	214,678	$	185,006	$	216,625
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	654,251		483,880		599,348		553,654		548,153		572,763		396,089
Investment securities	3,372,539		3,274,498		3,131,541		3,137,665		3,184,408		3,229,577		3,442,233
Loans held for sale	17,284		16,399		14,075		12,069		12,547		14,967		11,369
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	3,727,549		3,723,761		3,716,083		3,543,475		3,422,381		3,677,979		3,447,984
Lease financing	587,110		550,634		509,758		480,540		419,179		532,212		342,243
Construction real estate	826,936		763,779		683,780		603,974		540,314		720,031		535,715
Commercial real estate	4,045,347		4,059,939		4,146,764		4,101,238		4,060,733		4,088,127		4,038,457
Residential real estate	1,442,799		1,399,932		1,361,133		1,336,749		1,320,670		1,385,351		1,220,138
Home equity	837,863		811,265		790,384		765,410		750,925		801,358		735,236
Installment	136,927		143,102		151,753		157,663		160,242		147,321		175,447
Credit card	66,071		65,189		67,200		65,066		64,037		65,880		59,998
Total loans	11,670,602		11,517,601		11,426,855		11,054,115		10,738,481		11,418,259		10,555,218
Less:
Allowance for credit losses	(161,477)		(159,252)		(147,666)		(143,950)		(149,398)		(153,126)		(145,472)
Net loans	11,509,125		11,358,349		11,279,189		10,910,165		10,589,083		11,265,133		10,409,746
Premises and equipment	197,664		197,881		199,096		198,482		194,435		198,278		192,414
Operating leases	202,110		180,118		156,457		154,655		139,331		173,432		129,631
Goodwill	1,007,658		1,007,654		1,007,657		1,006,477		1,005,870		1,007,363		1,005,805
Other intangibles	80,486		82,619		84,577		84,109		85,101		82,940		88,724
Accrued interest and other assets	1,050,060		1,073,472		1,081,876		1,044,826		1,151,349		1,062,555		1,104,587
Total Assets	$	18,273,419	$	17,854,191	$	17,728,251	$	17,306,221	$	17,124,955	$	17,792,014	$	16,997,223
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	3,081,148	$	2,914,934	$	2,888,252	$	2,895,768	$	2,988,086	$	2,945,315	$	2,932,477
Savings	4,886,784		4,694,923		4,617,658		4,399,768		4,235,658		4,650,554		3,932,100
Time	3,209,078		3,080,408		2,980,158		2,813,880		2,611,075		3,021,558		2,397,289
Total interest-bearing deposits	11,177,010		10,690,265		10,486,068		10,109,416		9,834,819		10,617,427		9,261,866
Noninterest-bearing	3,162,643		3,106,239		3,144,198		3,169,750		3,368,024		3,145,646		3,617,961
Total deposits	14,339,653		13,796,504		13,630,266		13,279,166		13,202,843		13,763,073		12,879,827
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	2,282		10,807		750		4,204		3,586		4,522		15,583
FHLB short-term borrowings	415,652		626,490		669,111		646,187		554,826		588,987		845,666
Other	93,298		76,859		161,913		146,127		185,221		119,361		158,221
Total short-term borrowings	511,232		714,156		831,774		796,518		743,633		712,870		1,019,470
Long-term debt	343,851		339,581		339,472		342,496		340,321		341,352		340,950
Total borrowed funds	855,083		1,053,737		1,171,246		1,139,014		1,083,954		1,054,222		1,360,420
Accrued interest and other liabilities	637,638		632,825		645,699		622,479		693,676		634,663		627,225
Total Liabilities	15,832,374		15,483,066		15,447,211		15,040,659		14,980,473		15,451,958		14,867,472
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	1,640,280		1,637,045		1,634,183		1,637,835		1,637,197		1,637,343		1,633,992
Retained earnings	1,249,263		1,210,924		1,179,827		1,144,447		1,111,786		1,196,301		1,053,441
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(257,792)		(285,978)		(341,941)		(319,601)		(406,265)		(301,167)		(358,870)
Treasury stock, at cost	(190,706)		(190,866)		(191,029)		(197,119)		(198,236)		(192,421)		(198,812)
Total Shareholders' Equity	2,441,045		2,371,125		2,281,040		2,265,562		2,144,482		2,340,056		2,129,751
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	18,273,419	$	17,854,191	$	17,728,251	$	17,306,221	$	17,124,955	$	17,792,014	$	16,997,223
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
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NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Quarterly Averages																				Year-to-Date Averages
	December 31, 2024						September 30, 2024						December 31, 2023						December 31, 2024	December 31, 2023
	Balance		Interest		Yield		Balance		Interest		Yield		Balance		Interest		Yield				Balance		Yield		Balance		Yield
Earning assets
Investments:
Investment securities	$	3,372,539	$	36,401	4.28	%	$	3,274,498	$	34,983	4.24	%	$	3,184,408	$	33,696	4.20	%			$	3,229,577	4.20	%	$	3,442,233	4.05	%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	654,251		7,662		4.65	%	483,880		6,703		5.50	%	548,153		7,325		5.30	%			572,763		5.20	%	396,089		5.00	%
Gross loans (1)	11,687,886		207,508		7.04	%	11,534,000		215,433		7.41	%	10,751,028		197,416		7.29	%			11,433,226		7.32	%	10,566,587		7.04	%
Total earning assets	15,714,676		251,571		6.35	%	15,292,378		257,119		6.67	%	14,483,589		238,437		6.53	%			15,235,566		6.58	%	14,404,909		6.27	%
Nonearning assets
Allowance for credit losses	(161,477)						(159,252)						(149,398)								(153,126)				(145,472)
Cash and due from banks	182,242						179,321						214,678								185,006				216,625
Accrued interest and other assets	2,537,978						2,541,744						2,576,086								2,524,568				2,521,161
Total assets	$	18,273,419					$	17,854,191					$	17,124,955							$	17,792,014			$	16,997,223
Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand	$	3,081,148	$	15,092	1.94	%	$	2,914,934	$	15,919	2.17	%	$	2,988,086	$	14,480	1.92	%			$	2,945,315	2.07	%	$	2,932,477	1.45	%
Savings	4,886,784		33,924		2.75	%	4,694,923		34,220		2.89	%	4,235,658		26,632		2.49	%			4,650,554		2.81	%	3,932,100		1.73	%
Time	3,209,078		36,425		4.50	%	3,080,408		36,415		4.69	%	2,611,075		28,081		4.27	%			3,021,558		4.62	%	2,397,289		3.81	%
Total interest-bearing deposits	11,177,010		85,441		3.03	%	10,690,265		86,554		3.21	%	9,834,819		69,193		2.79	%			10,617,427		3.12	%	9,261,866		2.18	%
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	511,232		6,586		5.11	%	714,156		9,932		5.52	%	743,633		10,277		5.48	%			712,870		5.45	%	1,019,470		5.24	%
Long-term debt	343,851		5,145		5.94	%	339,581		5,073		5.93	%	340,321		5,202		6.06	%			341,352		5.90	%	340,950		5.82	%
Total borrowed funds	855,083		11,731		5.44	%	1,053,737		15,005		5.65	%	1,083,954		15,479		5.67	%			1,054,222		5.60	%	1,360,420		5.38	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	12,032,093		97,172		3.20	%	11,744,002		101,559		3.43	%	10,918,773		84,672		3.08	%			11,671,649		3.34	%	10,622,286		2.59	%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	3,162,643						3,106,239						3,368,024								3,145,646				3,617,961
Other liabilities	637,638						632,825						693,676								634,663				627,225
Shareholders' equity	2,441,045						2,371,125						2,144,482								2,340,056				2,129,751
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity	$	18,273,419					$	17,854,191					$	17,124,955							$	17,792,014			$	16,997,223
Net interest income	$	154,399					$	155,560					$	153,765							$	612,010			$	627,770
Net interest spread					3.15	%					3.24	%					3.45	%					3.24	%			3.68	%
Net interest margin					3.91	%					4.05	%					4.21	%					4.02	%			4.36	%
Tax equivalent adjustment					0.03	%					0.03	%					0.05	%					0.03	%			0.04	%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)					3.94	%					4.08	%					4.26	%					4.05	%			4.40	%
(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
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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	$	360	$	1,058	$	1,418		$	674	$	2,031	$	2,705		$	5,290	$	(8,940)	$	(3,650)
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	(1,036)		1,995		959			(906)		1,243		337			783		9,187		9,970
Gross loans (2)	(10,657)		2,732		(7,925)			(6,541)		16,633		10,092			29,361		63,410		92,771
Total earning assets	(11,333)		5,785		(5,548)			(6,773)		19,907		13,134			35,434		63,657		99,091
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits	$	(4,834)	$	3,721	$	(1,113)		$	5,988	$	10,260	$	16,248		$	86,810	$	42,272	$	129,082
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	(732)		(2,614)		(3,346)			(697)		(2,994)		(3,691)			2,190		(16,712)		(14,522)
Long-term debt	8		64		72			(110)		53		(57)			267		24		291
Total borrowed funds	(724)		(2,550)		(3,274)			(807)		(2,941)		(3,748)			2,457		(16,688)		(14,231)
Total interest-bearing liabilities	(5,558)		1,171		(4,387)			5,181		7,319		12,500			89,267		25,584		114,851
Net interest income (1)	$	(5,775)	$	4,614	$	(1,161)		$	(11,954)	$	12,588	$	634		$	(53,833)	$	38,073	$	(15,760)
(1) Not tax equivalent.
(2) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
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CREDIT QUALITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Full Year			Full Year
	2024			2024			2024			2024			2023			2024			2023
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period	$	158,831		$	156,185		$	144,274		$	141,433		$	145,201		$	141,433		$	132,977
Provision for credit losses	9,705			9,930			16,157			13,419			8,804			49,211			43,074
Gross charge-offs
Commercial and industrial	4,333			5,471			2,149			2,695			6,866			14,648			19,175
Lease financing	2,831			368			190			3			4,244			3,392			4,423
Construction real estate	0			0			0			0			0			0			0
Commercial real estate	5,051			261			2			5,319			1			10,633			8,723
Residential real estate	12			60			6			65			9			143			39
Home equity	210			90			122			25			174			447			340
Installment	1,680			1,510			2,034			2,236			2,054			7,460			6,442
Credit card	492			768			532			794			363			2,586			1,173
Total gross charge-offs	14,609			8,528			5,035			11,137			13,711			39,309			40,315
Recoveries
Commercial and industrial	1,779			434			236			162			459			2,611			1,534
Lease financing	17			11			1			59			52			88			55
Construction real estate	0			0			0			0			0			0			0
Commercial real estate	19			25			137			38			93			219			2,523
Residential real estate	23			22			37			24			24			106			247
Home equity	222			240			118			80			178			660			615
Installment	499			421			219			145			210			1,284			441
Credit card	305			91			41			51			123			488			282
Total recoveries	2,864			1,244			789			559			1,139			5,456			5,697
Total net charge-offs	11,745			7,284			4,246			10,578			12,572			33,853			34,618
Ending allowance for credit losses	$	156,791		$	158,831		$	156,185		$	144,274		$	141,433		$	156,791		$	141,433
NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
Commercial and industrial	0.27		%	0.54		%	0.21		%	0.29		%	0.74		%	0.33		%	0.51		%
Lease financing	1.91		%	0.26		%	0.15		%	(0.05)		%	3.97		%	0.62		%	1.28		%
Construction real estate	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%
Commercial real estate	0.49		%	0.02		%	(0.01)		%	0.52		%	(0.01)		%	0.25		%	0.15		%
Residential real estate	0.00		%	0.01		%	(0.01)		%	0.01		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	(0.02)		%
Home equity	(0.01)		%	(0.07)		%	0.00		%	(0.03)		%	0.00		%	(0.03)		%	(0.04)		%
Installment	3.43		%	3.03		%	4.81		%	5.33		%	4.57		%	4.19		%	3.42		%
Credit card	1.13		%	4.13		%	2.94		%	4.59		%	1.49		%	3.18		%	1.49		%
Total net charge-offs	0.40		%	0.25		%	0.15		%	0.38		%	0.46		%	0.30		%	0.33		%
COMPONENTS OF NONACCRUAL LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial and industrial	$	6,641		$	10,703		$	17,665		$	14,532		$	15,746		$	6,641		$	15,746
Lease financing	6,227			11,632			5,374			3,794			3,610			6,227			3,610
Construction real estate	0			0			0			0			0			0			0
Commercial real estate	32,303			23,608			22,942			23,055			27,984			32,303			27,984
Residential real estate	16,700			14,596			12,715			12,836			14,067			16,700			14,067
Home equity	3,418			4,074			3,295			4,036			3,476			3,418			3,476
Installment	684			826			682			984			870			684			870
Total nonaccrual loans	65,973			65,439			62,673			59,237			65,753			65,973			65,753
Other real estate owned (OREO)	64			30			30			161			106			64			106
Total nonperforming assets	66,037			65,469			62,703			59,398			65,859			66,037			65,859
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	361			463			1,573			820			2,028			361			2,028
Total underperforming assets	$	66,398		$	65,932		$	64,276		$	60,218		$	67,887		$	66,398		$	67,887
Total classified assets	$	224,084		$	206,194		$	195,277		$	162,348		$	140,995		$	224,084		$	140,995
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for credit losses to
Nonaccrual loans	237.66		%	242.72		%	249.21		%	243.55		%	215.10		%	237.66		%	215.10		%
Total ending loans	1.33		%	1.37		%	1.36		%	1.29		%	1.29		%	1.33		%	1.29		%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans	0.56		%	0.57		%	0.54		%	0.53		%	0.60		%	0.56		%	0.60		%
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO	0.56		%	0.57		%	0.54		%	0.53		%	0.60		%	0.56		%	0.60		%
Total assets	0.36		%	0.36		%	0.35		%	0.34		%	0.38		%	0.36		%	0.38		%
Classified assets to total assets	1.21		%	1.14		%	1.07		%	0.92		%	0.80		%	1.21		%	0.80		%
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
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CAPITAL ADEQUACY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended,															Twelve months ended,
	Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Dec. 31,			Dec. 31,
	2024			2024			2024			2024			2023			2024			2023
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
High	$	30.34		$	28.09		$	23.78		$	23.68		$	24.28		$	30.34		$	26.24
Low	$	23.98		$	21.70		$	20.79		$	21.04		$	17.37		$	20.79		$	17.37
Close	$	26.88		$	25.23		$	22.22		$	22.42		$	23.75		$	26.88		$	23.75
Average shares outstanding - basic	94,486,838			94,473,666			94,438,235			94,218,067			94,063,570			94,404,617			93,938,772
Average shares outstanding - diluted	95,487,564			95,479,510			95,470,093			95,183,998			95,126,316			95,405,719			95,096,067
Ending shares outstanding	95,494,840			95,486,317			95,486,010			95,473,595			95,141,244			95,494,840			95,141,244
Total shareholders' equity	$	2,438,041		$	2,450,438		$	2,326,439		$	2,287,003		$	2,267,974		$	2,438,041		$	2,267,974
REGULATORY CAPITAL	Preliminary															Preliminary
Common equity tier 1 capital	$	1,709,422		$	1,661,759		$	1,626,345		$	1,582,113		$	1,568,815		$	1,709,422		$	1,568,815
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio	12.16		%	12.04		%	11.78		%	11.67		%	11.73		%	12.16		%	11.73		%
Tier 1 capital	$	1,754,584		$	1,706,796		$	1,671,258		$	1,626,899		$	1,613,480		$	1,754,584		$	1,613,480
Tier 1 ratio	12.48		%	12.37		%	12.11		%	12.00		%	12.06		%	12.48		%	12.06		%
Total capital	$	2,028,099		$	2,012,349		$	1,997,378		$	1,940,762		$	1,907,441		$	2,028,099		$	1,907,441
Total capital ratio	14.43		%	14.58		%	14.47		%	14.31		%	14.26		%	14.43		%	14.26		%
Total capital in excess of minimum requirement	$	551,881		$	563,273		$	548,037		$	516,704		$	503,152		$	551,881		$	503,152
Total risk-weighted assets	$	14,059,215		$	13,800,728		$	13,803,249		$	13,562,455		$	13,374,177		$	14,059,215		$	13,374,177
Leverage ratio	9.98		%	9.93		%	9.73		%	9.75		%	9.70		%	9.98		%	9.70		%
OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets	13.13		%	13.50		%	12.81		%	12.99		%	12.94		%	13.13		%	12.94		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets (1)	7.73		%	7.98		%	7.23		%	7.23		%	7.17		%	7.73		%	7.17		%
Average shareholders' equity to average assets	13.36		%	13.28		%	12.87		%	13.09		%	12.52		%	13.15		%	12.53		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets (1)	7.87		%	7.64		%	7.15		%	7.25		%	6.57		%	7.48		%	6.51		%
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

11

exh992earningsrelease4q2

earnings presentation • Fourth Quarter 2024 Exhibit 99.2

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forward looking statements disclosure 2 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; (iv) 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;

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forward looking statements disclosure 3 • 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, 2023, 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.

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4Q 2024 results 137th Consecutive Quarter of Profitability 4 • EOP assets increased $423.9 million compared to the linked quarter to $18.6 billion • EOP loans increased $208.7 million compared to the linked quarter to $11.8 billion • Average deposits increased $543.1 million compared to the linked quarter to $14.3 billion • EOP investment securities increased $25.5 million compared to the linked quarter Balance Sheet Profitability Asset Quality Income Statement Capital • Noninterest income – $69.9 million; $69.7 million as adjusted1 • Noninterest expense – $147.9 million; $130.9 million as adjusted1 • Efficiency ratio – 66.0%. Adjusted1 efficiency ratio – 58.4% • Effective tax rate of 3.0%. Adjusted1 effective tax rate of 19.2% • Net interest income – $154.4 million • Net interest margin of 3.91% on a GAAP basis; 3.94% on a fully tax equivalent basis1 • Net income – $64.9 million or $0.68 per diluted share. Adjusted1 net income – $67.7 million or $0.71 per diluted share • Return on average assets – 1.41%. Adjusted 1 return on average assets – 1.47% • Return on average shareholders’ equity – 10.57%. Adjusted1 return on average shareholders’ equity – 11.03% • Return on average tangible common equity – 19.08%1. Adjusted1 return on average tangible common equity – 19.90% • Provision expense - $9.4 million • Net charge-offs – $11.7 million. NCOs / Avg. Loans – 0.40% annualized • Classified Assets / Total Assets – 1.21% • NPA / Total Assets – 0.36% • ACL / Total Loans – 1.33% • Total capital ratio – 14.43% • Tier 1 common equity ratio – 12.16% • Tangible common equity ratio – 7.73%. Adjusted1 Tangible common equity ratio – 9.39% • Tangible book value per share – $14.15 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation.

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4Q 2024 highlights • Strong quarterly earnings driven by net interest margin and increase in noninterest income • Adjusted1 earnings per share – $0.71 • Adjusted1 return on assets – 1.47% • Adjusted1 pre-tax, pre-provision return on assets – 2.03% • Adjusted1 return on average tangible common equity – 19.90% • Solid loan growth during the period, exceeded initial expectations • EOP loan balances increased $208.7 million compared to the linked quarter; 7.2% on an annualized basis • Growth driven by C&I, ICRE, leasing and mortgage • Strong average deposit balances increased $543.1 million, or 15.7% on an annualized basis • Broad-based growth across most product types offset declines in brokered CDs and savings • $54.1 million increase in noninterest bearing deposit balances from linked quarter • Average noninterest bearing deposits were 21% of average total deposits at December 31, 2024 • Robust net interest margin (FTE) of 3.94% decreased 14 bps from linked quarter • 13 bp decline in cost of deposits • 37 bp decrease in loan yields • Record noninterest income of $69.9 million; $69.7 million as adjusted1 • Record wealth management revenue of $8.0 million; 15.2% increase from linked quarter • Leasing business revenue of $19.4 million; 15.5% increase from linked quarter • Foreign exchange income of $16.8 million; 39.4% increase from linked quarter 5 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliations. .

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4Q 2024 highlights • Adjusted1 noninterest expense of $130.9 million, a 5.0% increase from third quarter • Adjustments1 include $4.7 million of efficiency-related costs, $14.3 million of tax credit write-downs, $1.0 million of state tax credits and $2.0 million of gains on the sale of previously closed branches • Increase from linked quarter driven by higher incentive compensation tied to fee income and overall company performance • Efficiency ratio of 66.0%; 58.4% as adjusted1 • Workforce efficiency initiative ongoing; 145 positions eliminated to date • Stable credit quality • Total ACL of $173.7 million; provision expense of $9.4 million o Loans and leases - ACL of $156.8 million; 1.33% of total loans o Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $16.9 million • Provision expense driven by net charge-offs, slower prepayments and loan growth • Classified assets increased 7 bps to 1.21% of total assets; increase driven by a $45 million obligation resulting from the termination of a foreign exchange trade • NPA to total assets of 0.36%; flat compared to linked quarter • $11.7 million in net charge-offs, $6.4 million of which was reserved for in prior periods o 4Q24 NCOs - 0.40% of loans on an annualized basis o Full year 2024 NCOs - 0.30%; in line with expectations • Capital ratios in excess of targets • Total capital ratio of 14.43% • Tier 1 common equity of 12.16%; 12 basis point increase from linked quarter • Tangible book value of $14.15; decreased by $0.11 from linked quarter • Tangible common equity decreased 25 bps to 7.73%; 9.39%1 excluding ($289.8) million of AOCI 6 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliations. .

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adjusted net income1 7 The table below lists certain adjustments that the Company believes are significant to understanding its quarterly performance. 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 As Reported Adjusted 1 As Reported Adjusted 1 Net interest income 154,399$ 154,399$ 155,560$ 155,560$ Provision for credit losses-loans and leases 9,705$ 9,705$ 9,930$ 9,930$ Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments (273)$ (273)$ 694$ 694$ Noninterest income 69,854$ 69,854$ 45,701$ 45,701$ less: gains (losses) on security transactions - 143 A - (17,468) A less: deferred tax adjustment - - A - 4,353 A Total noninterest income 69,854$ 69,711$ 45,701$ 58,816$ Noninterest expense 147,907$ 147,907$ 125,759$ 125,759$ less: tax credit investment writedown - 14,303 A - 31 A less: state intangible tax - (983) A - - A less: efficiency-related costs - 4,727 A - 383 A less: other - (1,066) A - 664 A Total noninterest expense 147,907$ 130,926$ 125,759$ 124,681$ Income before income taxes 66,914$ 83,752$ 64,878$ 79,071$ Income tax expense 2,029$ 2,029$ 12,427$ 12,427$ plus: after-tax impact of tax credit investment @ 21% - 10,522 - 24 plus: tax effect of adjustments (A) @ 21% statutory rate - 3,536 - 2,981 Total income tax expense 2,029$ 16,087$ 12,427$ 15,432$ Net income 64,885$ 67,665$ 52,451$ 63,639$ Net earnings per share - diluted 0.68$ 0.71$ 0.55$ 0.67$ Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets 1.66% 2.03% 1.68% 2.00% 4Q 2024 3Q 2024

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profitability 8 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 Earnings $0.68 $0.55 $0.64 $0.53$0.60 $0.71 $0.67 $0.65 $0.59 $0.62 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Diluted EPS Adjusted EPS 1 1.41% 1.17% 1.38% 1.18%1.31% 1.47%1.42%1.40% 1.30%1.37% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 ROA Adjusted ROA 1 19.08% 16.29% 20.57% 17.35% 21.36% 19.90%19.77% 20.88% 19.11% 22.21% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 ROATCE Adjusted ROATCE 1 $93.2$89.7$92.4 $79.4$84.6 2.03%2.00%2.10% 1.85%1.96% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Pre-tax, pre-provision earnings Pre-tax, pre-provision ROA

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net interest income & margin 9 Net Interest Margin (FTE) 4Q24 NIM (FTE) Progression Net Interest Income All dollars shown in millions $149.2$151.0$148.4 $143.9$147.7 $4.7$3.8 $3.6 $4.0 $5.2 $154.4$155.6 $153.3 $148.7 $153.8 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Basic NII Loan Fees 3.82% 3.98%4.00%3.99%4.12% 0.12% 0.10%0.10%0.11% 0.14% 3.94% 4.08%4.10%4.10% 4.26% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Basic Margin (FTE) Loan Fees 3Q24 4.08% Asset yields/mix -0.31% Funding costs/mix 0.17% 4Q24 3.94%

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average balance sheet 10 Average LoansAverage Securities All dollars shown in millions 1 Includes loans fees and loan accretion Average Deposits $3,373$3,274$3,132$3,138$3,184 4.28%4.24%4.23% 4.01% 4.20% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Investment Securities Investment Securities Yield $11,688$11,534$11,441$11,066$10,751 7.04% 7.41%7.42%7.32%7.29% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Loans Loan Yield1 $14,340 $13,797$13,630 $13,279$13,203 2.36% 2.49%2.44% 2.30% 2.08% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Deposits Cost of Deposits

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11 Borrowing Capacity • Interest-bearing deposits with other banks of $730 million • Investment securities portfolio: • 97.6% of investment portfolio classified as available-for-sale • $630.2 million of expected cash flow from securities portfolio in next 12 months • $467.5 million of floating rate securities with minimal losses • Portfolio duration of 4.4 years at December 31, 2024 borrowing capacity & cash/investment liquidity Cash/Investment Liquidity All dollars shown in thousands FHLB borrowing availability 1,010,552$ Fed Discount Window availability 975,747 Brokered CDs/Deposit placement services 2,420,397 Fed funds 950,000 Total as of December 31, 2024 5,356,696$

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agile acquisition 12 • Acquired February 29th • $93.4 million in loans acquired; $202.5 million as of December 31st • $5.6 million of intangibles created • Agile is a full-service specialty finance company based in Lincolnshire, IL and operates throughout the U.S. • Lends to commercial customers to finance insurance premiums • Loans are secured by the unearned premium of the policies • Two-thirds of volume is derived from direct agency relationships, and one-third is originated through a brokerage model • Portfolio is diversified across insurance carrier, insurance agency, borrower, geography, and insurance coverage type • Founded in 2017 and managed by seasoned industry experts • Led by founder Bob Przespolewski and Charlie Gerstung, who joined FFB • 30 associates Product Details • Originates approximately 50,000 loans annually • Average loan size of $12,700 • Median loan size $1,700 • Average duration 10 months Deep and Diverse Relationships Portfolio Highlights • Gross yields in excess of 10% • Expected annual loss rate of 10-20 bps • Established national network of over 1,700 active independent insurance agencies • Significant cross-sell opportunity 1The fair value measurements of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Agile 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. Company Overview Transaction Overview1 Key Statistics

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loan portfolio 13 Loan LOB Mix (EOP) Net Loan Change-LOB (Linked Quarter) All dollars shown in millions Total growth/(decline): $208.7 million ICRE $3,756 32% Commercial & Small Business Banking $3,309 28% Oak Street $746 6% Franchise $241 2% Summit $888 8% Agile $202 2% Consumer $1,026 9% Mortgage $1,594 13% Total $11.8 Billion $31.1 $80.3 $5.2 -$8.2 $56.9 -$8.7 $16.9 $35.2 ICRE Commercial & Small Business Banking Oak Street Franchise Summit Agile Consumer Mortgage

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loan concentrations 14 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 NAICS Sector 12/31/24 % of Total Loans Finance and Insurance $1,247.2 10.6% Manufacturing 522.0 4.4% Construction 341.8 2.9% Accommodation and Food Services 298.2 2.5% Health Care and Social Assistance 284.6 2.4% Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 281.3 2.4% Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 262.9 2.2% Retail Trade 241.3 2.1% Wholesale Trade 191.2 1.6% Administrative and Support and Waste Managemen 155.6 1.3% Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 153.9 1.3% Other Services (except Public Administration) 145.8 1.2% Transportation and Warehousing 139.2 1.2% Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 79.9 0.7% Information 66.2 0.6% Public Administration 55.4 0.5% Management of Companies and Enterprises 24.6 0.2% Educational Services 24.4 0.2% Utilities 22.5 0.2% Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction 11.9 0.1% Other 0.8 0.0% Grand Total $4,550.9 38.7% Property Type 12/31/24 % of Total Loans Residential Multi Family 5+ $1,333.6 11.3% Retail Property 779.7 6.6% Office 410.3 3.5% Industrial 422.2 3.6% Hospital/Nursing Home 283.0 2.4% Hotel 203.4 1.7% Land 111.1 0.9% Residential 1-4 Family 106.7 0.9% Other Real Estate 53.3 0.5% Industrial 39.9 0.3% Self Storage 12.6 0.1% Other 0.1 0.0% Grand Total $3,756.1 31.9%

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area of focus - office portfolio (non-owner occupied) 15 1 Performance metrics based on loans greater than $2.5 million and excluding classified assets. All dollars shown in millions Office Property Market • $410.3 million balance represents 3.5% of total loan portfolio; includes $49.4 million of loans less than $2.5 million individual exposure • Majority of exposure is in our metro markets and secured by suburban Class A & Class B assets with recourse from the sponsor • No exposure to gateway cities • $26.0 million on nonaccrual status; 3 relationships; have been charged down to net realizable value • $26.7 million rated special mention – 3 relationships • $8.8 million migrated to criticized/classified during quarter – 1 relationship • Performance metrics at origination or renewal1 • LTV – 63.6% • Occupancy – 86.2% • Debt coverage – 1.59x Office Property Type $331 81% $44 11% $27 6% $8 2% General Office Medical Mixed Use Other $279 68% $119 29% $12 3% Suburban Urban Non-metro $126.6 $60.2 $36.8 $61.0 $46.0 $79.8 $0 $20 $40 $60 $80 $100 $120 $140 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030+ Office Maturity Schedule

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deposits 16 Deposit Product Mix (Avg) 4Q24 Average Deposit Progression All dollars shown in millions Total growth/(decline): $543.1 million Noninterest- bearing $3,041 21% Interest-bearing demand $1,732 12% Savings $996 7% Money Markets $3,196 22% Retail CDs $1,847 13% Brokered Deposits $1,399 10% Public Funds $2,129 15% Total $14.3 Billion $54.1 $69.6 -$21.0 $128.9 $194.0 -$74.0 $191.5 Noninterest-bearing Interest-bearing demand Savings Money Markets Retail CDs Brokered Deposits Public Funds

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average deposit trends 17 All dollars shown in millions Business Public Funds Personal Uninsured Deposits $6,520$6,330$6,312$6,162$5,921 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 $4,207$3,974$3,824$3,823$3,913 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 $2,129$1,937$1,978$1,864$1,928 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Uninsured deposits (per call report instructions) 5,874$ Less: Public funds 1,953 Less: Intercompany deposits 200 Adjusted uninsured deposits 3,721 Borrowing capacity 5,357 Borrowing capacity in excess of adjusted uninsured deposits $ 1,636 Borrowing capacity as a % of adjusted uninsured deposits 144.0% Adjusted uninsured deposits to total deposits 26.0%

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noninterest income 18 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. 4Q24 Highlights • $0.1 million of adjustments1 for gains on securities • Total fee income 31.1% of net revenue • Foreign exchange income of $16.8 million; increased $4.7 million from the linked quarter • Leasing business income of $19.4 million; increased $2.6 million, or 15.5% from the linked quarter • Record wealth management fees of $8.0 million: increased $1.1 million, or 15.2%, from the linked quarter All dollars shown in millions Service Charges $7.6 11% Wealth Mgmt $8.0 11% Bankcard $3.7 5% Client derivative fees $1.5 2% Foreign exchange $16.8 24% Leasing business $19.4 28% Mortgage banking $4.6 7% Other $8.2 12% Total $69.9 million $69.7 million as adjusted 1

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noninterest expense 19 Noninterest Expense 4Q24 Highlights 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 millions • Efficiency initiative ongoing; 145 positions eliminated to date which equals $16.1 million of annualized savings • $17.0 million of adjustments1 include: • $4.7 million efficiency-related costs • $14.3 million of tax credit write-downs • $2 million of gains on sale of previously closed branches • $1.0 million of state tax credits • Increase from linked quarter driven by higher incentive compensation tied to increase in noninterest income and overall company performance Efficiency Ratio Full-time Equivalent Employees Salaries and benefits $80.3 54% Occupancy and equipment $8.9 6% Data processing $9.1 6% Professional services $6.6 5% Intangible amortization $2.4 2% Leasing business expense $12.5 8% Other $28.0 19% $147.9 million Total $130.9 million as adjusted 1 59.3% 62.7% 57.5% 62.5% 66.0% 58.0% 60.4% 57.0% 58.2% 58.4% 4Q23 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 Efficiency Ratio Adjusted Efficiency Ratio 1 2,064 2,084 2,144 2,116 2,129 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23

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allowance for credit losses 20 4Q24 Highlights All dollars shown in millions • $173.7 million combined ACL; $9.4 million combined provision expense • $156.8 million ACL – loans and leases; increase driven by slower prepayments and loan growth; 1.33% of loan balances • Utilized Moody’s December baseline forecast in quantitative model • $16.9 million ACL – unfunded commitments $141.4 $144.3 $156.2 $158.8 $156.8$18.4 $16.2 $16.4 $17.1 $16.9$159.9 $160.4 $172.6 $176.0 $173.7 1.29% 1.29% 1.36% 1.37% 1.33% 4Q23 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 ACL-loans and leases ACL-unfunded commitments ACL / Total Loans ACL / Total Loans

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asset quality 21 Classified Assets / Total Assets . 1 Provision includes both loans & leases and unfunded commitments All dollars shown in millions Nonperforming Assets / Total Assets $66.0$65.5$62.7$59.4 $65.9 0.36%0.36%0.35%0.34%0.38% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 NPAs NPAs / Total Assets $12.6 $10.6 $4.2 $7.3 $11.7 $10.2 $11.2 $16.4 $10.6 $9.4 0.40% 0.25% 0.15% 0.38% 0.46% 4Q23 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 NCOs Provision Expense NCOs / Average Loans Net Charge Offs & Provision Expense1 $224.1 $206.2$195.3 $162.3 $141.0 1.21%1.14%1.07% 0.92% 0.80% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Classified Assets Classified Assets / Total Assets

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capital 22 Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio Total Capital Ratio Tangible Common Equity Ratio 12/31 Risk Weighted Assets = $14,059,215 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. Adjusted TCE excludes impact from AOCI Tier 1 Capital Ratio 7.17% 7.23% 7.23% 7.98% 7.73% 9.05% 9.18% 9.13% 9.34% 9.39% 4Q23 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 TCE ratio Adjusted TCE ratio 1 12.16%12.04%11.78%11.67%11.73% 7.00% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio Basel III minimum 12.48%12.37%12.11%12.00%12.06% 8.50% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Tier 1 Capital Ratio Basel III minimum 14.43%14.58%14.47%14.31%14.26% 10.50% 4Q243Q242Q241Q244Q23 Total Capital Ratio Basel III minimum

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capital strategy 23 Strategy & DeploymentTangible Book Value Per Share • 3.6% annualized dividend yield as of December 31st • 35.3% of 4Q24 earnings returned to shareholders through common dividend • Most recent internal stress testing indicates capital ratios above regulatory minimums in all modeled scenarios • Common dividend of $0.24 • No shares repurchased in 4Q24; no plans to repurchase shares in near- term • Slight decrease in TBV per share from linked quarter driven by higher unrealized losses on the investment portfolio • 14.3% increase since 4Q23 1 Excludes impact from AOCI $12.38 $12.50 $12.94 $14.26 $14.15 $15.64 $15.87 $16.32 $16.69 $17.18 4Q23 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 Tangible Book Value per Share TBV per share-adjusted 1

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outlook commentary1 • Loan balances expected to increase low single digits on an annualized basis • Seasonal decline in public fund and business deposit balances expected • Investment portfolio expected to remain stable 24 • Total noninterest expense expected to be $128 - 130 million • Stable expense base expected excluding leasing business and fee-based incentive expense • Incentive expense will fluctuate with fee income Noninterest Expense Net Interest Margin Balance Sheet Credit • Credit costs expected to be modestly lower • Net charge-offs expected to be lower in 1Q • Stable to slightly increasing ACL coverage as a percentage of loans expected Noninterest Income • Total expected fee income of $63 - 65 million • Includes $11 - 13 million foreign exchange • Includes $19 - 21 million leasing business income 1 See Forward Looking Statement Disclosure on page 2-3 of this presentation for a discussion of factors that could affect management’s expectations and results in future periods. • Expected to be 3.85% - 3.90%; assumes no rate cuts by Fed Capital • Expect to maintain dividend at $0.24

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The Company’s Investor 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 considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. However, we believe that non-GAAP reporting provides meaningful information and therefore we use it to supplement our GAAP information. We have chosen to provide this supplemental information to investors, analysts and other interested parties to enable them to perform additional analyses of operating results, to illustrate the results of operations giving effect to the non-GAAP adjustments and to provide an additional measure of performance. We believe this information is helpful in understanding the results of operations separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportional positive or negative impact in any given period. For a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measures and the most comparable GAAP measures, please refer to the following reconciliation tables. to GAAP Reconciliation 25 appendix: non-GAAP measures

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appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation 26 All dollars shown in thousands Net interest income and net interest margin - fully tax equivalent Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 Net interest income 154,399$ 155,560$ 153,311$ 148,740$ 153,765$ Tax equivalent adjustment 1,274 1,362 1,418 1,535 1,672 Net interest income - tax equivalent 155,673$ 156,922$ 154,729$ 150,275$ 155,437$ Average earning assets 15,714,676$ 15,292,378$ 15,171,819$ 14,757,503$ 14,483,589$ Net interest margin1 3.91 % 4.05 % 4.06 % 4.05 % 4.21 % Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)1 3.94 % 4.08 % 4.10 % 4.10 % 4.26 % Three months ended 1 Margins are calculated using net interest income annualized divided by average earning assets. 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.

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appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation 27 All dollars shown in thousands Additional non-GAAP ratios Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2024 2024 2024 2024 2023 Net income (a) 64,885$ 52,451$ 60,805$ 50,689$ 56,732$ Average total shareholders' equity 2,441,045 2,371,125 2,281,040 2,265,562 2,144,482 Less: Goodwill (1,007,658) (1,007,654) (1,007,657) (1,006,477) (1,005,870) Other intangibles (80,486) (82,619) (84,577) (84,109) (85,101) Average tangible equity (b) 1,352,901 1,280,852 1,188,806 1,174,976 1,053,511 Total shareholders' equity 2,438,041 2,450,438 2,326,439 2,287,003 2,267,974 Less: Goodwill (1,007,656) (1,007,656) (1,007,656) (1,007,656) (1,005,868) Other intangibles (79,291) (81,547) (83,528) (85,603) (83,949) Ending tangible equity (c) 1,351,094 1,361,235 1,235,255 1,193,744 1,178,157 Less: AOCI (289,799) (232,262) (323,409) (321,109) (309,819) Ending tangible equity less AOCI (d) 1,640,893 1,593,497 1,558,664 1,514,853 1,487,976 Total assets 18,570,261 18,146,332 18,166,180 17,599,238 17,532,900 Less: Goodwill (1,007,656) (1,007,656) (1,007,656) (1,007,656) (1,005,868) Other intangibles (79,291) (81,547) (83,528) (85,603) (83,949) Ending tangible assets (e) 17,483,314 17,057,129 17,074,996 16,505,979 16,443,083 Risk-weighted assets (f) 14,059,215 13,800,728 13,803,249 13,562,455 13,374,177 Total average assets 18,273,419 17,854,191 17,728,251 17,306,221 17,124,955 Less: Goodwill (1,007,658) (1,007,654) (1,007,657) (1,006,477) (1,005,870) Other intangibles (80,486) (82,619) (84,577) (84,109) (85,101) Average tangible assets (g) 17,185,275$ 16,763,918$ 16,636,017$ 16,215,635$ 16,033,984$ Ending shares outstanding (h) 95,494,840 95,486,317 95,486,010 95,473,595 95,141,244 Ratios Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (a)/(b) 19.08% 16.29% 20.57% 17.35% 21.36% Ending tangible equity as a percent of: Ending tangible assets (c)/(e) 7.73% 7.98% 7.23% 7.23% 7.17% Risk-weighted assets (c)/(f) 9.61% 9.86% 8.95% 8.80% 8.81% Ending tangible equity excluding AOCI as a percent of: Ending tangible assets (d)/(e) 9.39% 9.34% 9.13% 9.18% 9.05% Average tangible equity as a percent of average tangible assets (b)/(g) 7.87% 7.64% 7.15% 7.25% 6.57% Tangible book value per share (c)/(h) 14.15$ 14.26$ 12.94$ 12.50$ 12.38$ Three months ended,

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appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation 28 All dollars shown in thousands Additional non-GAAP measures 2Q24 1Q24 As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted Net interest income (f) 154,399$ 154,399$ 155,560$ 155,560$ 153,311$ 153,311$ 148,740$ 148,740$ Provision for credit losses-loans and leases (j) 9,705 9,705 9,930 9,930 16,157 16,157 13,419 13,419 Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments (j) (273) (273) 694 694 286 286 (2,259) (2,259) Noninterest income 69,854 69,854 45,701 45,701 61,501 61,501 46,512 46,512 less: gains (losses) on security transactions 143 (17,468) (64) (5,187) less: deferred tax adjustment - 4,353 - - Total noninterest income (g) 69,854 69,711 45,701 58,816 61,501 61,565 46,512 51,699 Noninterest expense 147,907 147,907 125,759 125,759 123,574 123,574 122,355 122,355 less: tax credit investment writedown 14,303 31 31 31 less: state intangible tax (983) - - - less: FDIC special assessment - - (70) 231 less: efficiency-related costs 4,727 383 368 - less: Other (1,066) 664 787 1,056 Total noninterest expense (e) 147,907 130,926 125,759 124,681 123,574 122,458 122,355 121,037 Income before income taxes (i) 66,914 83,752 64,878 79,071 74,795 75,975 61,737 68,242 Income tax expense 2,029 2,029 12,427 12,427 13,990 13,990 11,048 11,048 plus: tax effect of adjustments 10,522 24 10 52 plus: after-tax impact of tax credit investments @ 21% 3,536 2,981 263 1,318 Total income tax expense (h) 2,029 16,087 12,427 15,432 13,990 14,262 11,048 12,418 Net income (a) 64,885$ 67,665$ 52,451$ 63,639$ 60,805$ 61,713$ 50,689$ 55,824$ Average diluted shares (b) 95,488 95,488 95,480 95,480 95,470 95,470 95,184 95,184 Average assets (c) 18,273,419 18,273,419 17,854,191 17,854,191 17,728,251 17,728,251 17,306,221 17,306,221 Average shareholders' equity 2,441,045 2,441,045 2,371,125 2,371,125 2,281,040 2,281,040 2,265,562 2,265,562 Less: Goodwill and other intangibles (1,088,144) (1,088,144) (1,090,273) (1,090,273) (1,092,234) (1,092,234) (1,090,586) (1,090,586) Average tangible equity (d) 1,352,901 1,352,901 1,280,852 1,280,852 1,188,806 1,188,806 1,174,976 1,174,976 Ratios Net earnings per share - diluted (a)/(b) 0.68$ 0.71$ 0.55$ 0.67$ 0.64$ 0.65$ 0.53$ 0.59$ Return on average assets - (a)/(c) 1.41% 1.47% 1.17% 1.42% 1.38% 1.40% 1.18% 1.30% Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets - ((a)+(j)+(h))/(c) 1.66% 2.03% 1.68% 2.00% 2.07% 2.10% 1.69% 1.85% Return on average tangible shareholders' equity - (a)/(d) 19.08% 19.90% 16.29% 19.77% 20.57% 20.88% 17.35% 19.11% Efficiency ratio - (e)/((f)+(g)) 66.0% 58.4% 62.5% 58.2% 57.5% 57.0% 62.7% 60.4% Effective tax rate - (h)/(i) 3.0% 19.2% 19.2% 19.5% 18.7% 18.8% 17.9% 18.2% (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 4Q24 3Q24

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29 First Financial Bancorp First Financial Center 255 East Fifth Street Cincinnati, OH 45202

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