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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): April 25, 2024
 
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Ohio001-34762 31-1042001
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. employer
identification number)
255 East Fifth Street, Suite 800Cincinnati,Ohio45202
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (877322-9530
 
 
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 classTrading symbolName of exchange on which registered
Common stock, No par valueFFBCThe 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 April 25, 2024, First Financial Bancorp. (the "Company") issued its earnings press release that included its results of operations and financial condition for the first three months 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 dated April 25, 2024
    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:April 25, 2024

                    




                                                Exhibit 99.1
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First Financial Bancorp Announces First Quarter 2024
Financial Results and Quarterly Dividend

Earnings per diluted share of $0.53; $0.59 on an adjusted(1) basis
Return on average assets of 1.18%; 1.30% on an adjusted(1) basis
Net interest margin on FTE basis(1) of 4.10%
Acquired Agile Premium Finance
Loan growth of $271.9 million; 10.0% on an annualized basis
Tangible common equity ratio increased to 7.23%
Quarterly dividend of $0.23 approved by Board of Directors

Cincinnati, Ohio - April 25, 2024. First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial” or the “Company”) announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company reported net income of $50.7 million, or $0.53 per diluted common share. These results compare to net income of $56.7 million, or $0.60 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Return on average assets for the first quarter of 2024 was 1.18% while return on average tangible common equity was 17.35%(1). These compare to return on average assets of 1.31% and return on average tangible common equity of 21.36%(1) in the fourth quarter of 2023.

First quarter 2024 highlights include:

Net interest margin of 4.05%, or 4.10% on a fully tax-equivalent basis(1)
16 bp decrease to 4.10% from 4.26% in the fourth quarter due to increasing funding costs
Decline from linked quarter driven by 19 bp increase in funding costs, which was partially offset by modestly higher asset yields

Noninterest income of $46.5 million, or $51.7 million as adjusted(1)
Strong leasing business income of $14.6 million
Wealth management continues strong performance; 9.6% increase from linked quarter
Foreign exchange and client derivative fees improved from lower levels in fourth quarter
Adjusted(1) $5.2 million for losses on sales of investment securities related to repositioning of a portion of the portfolio
Noninterest expenses of $122.4 million, or $121.0 million as adjusted(1)
Increase from fourth quarter driven by seasonal payroll taxes and increased variable compensation tied to fee income
First quarter adjustments(1) include $0.2 million FDIC special assessment and $1.1 million of other costs such as acquisition, severance and branch consolidation costs
Efficiency ratio of 62.7%; 60.4% as adjusted(1)

Acquired Agile Premium Finance on February 29, 2024
Lends primarily to commercial customers to finance insurance premiums
$93.4 million in loan balances at acquisition; $119.0 million at March 31, 2024
$5.6 million of intangible assets, including $1.8 million of goodwill and $2.7 million customer list


_________________________________________________________________________________________
(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.


Solid loan growth during the quarter
Loan balances increased $271.9 million compared to the linked quarter; includes $93.4 million acquired in Agile transaction
Growth of 10.0% on an annualized basis driven by Investor CRE and acquisition of Agile

Modest average deposit growth during the quarter
Average deposits increased $76.3 million, or 2.3% on an annualized basis; First quarter included approximately $100 million of seasonal business deposit outflows
Growth in money market accounts and retail CDs offset declines in noninterest bearing checking, savings and public funds

Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $160.4 million; Total quarterly provision expense of $11.2 million
Loans and leases - ACL of $144.3 million; ratio to total loans of 1.29% unchanged from fourth quarter
Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $16.2 million; decreased $2.3 million from linked quarter
Provision expense driven by net charge-offs and loan growth; Classified assets increased to $162.3 million
Annualized net charge-offs were 38 bps of total loans; 8 bps decline from linked quarter
NPAs to total assets of 0.34%; 4 bp, or 10.5% decline from linked quarter

Capital ratios stable and strong
Total capital ratio increased 5 bps to 14.31%
Tier 1 common equity decreased 6 bps to 11.67%
Tangible common equity increased 6 bps to 7.23%(1); 9.18%(1) excluding impact from AOCI
Tangible book value per share of $12.50(1);1.0% increase from linked quarter

Additionally, the board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per common share for the next regularly scheduled dividend, payable on June 17, 2024 to shareholders of record as of June 3, 2024.

Archie Brown, President and CEO, commented on the quarter, “I am pleased with our first quarter results and encouraged by our trends, several of which were bolstered by actions we took during the quarter. These actions included a repositioning of a portion of the investment portfolio, a workforce efficiency initiative, and the acquisition of Agile Premium Finance. We also commenced the restructuring of a portion of our bank owned life insurance portfolio, which is expected to increase income in the back half of the year.”

Mr. Brown continued, “Adjusted(1) earnings per share were $0.59, which resulted in an adjusted(1) return on assets of 1.30% and an adjusted(1) return on tangible common equity of 19.1%. At 4.10%, the net interest margin remains very strong. Asset yields remained steady during the quarter, however, as expected, the continued rise of funding costs negatively impacted our net interest margin. Additionally, loan growth was robust for the second consecutive quarter with balances increasing by 10% on an annualized basis. Average deposit growth slowed for the quarter to a 2.3% annualized growth rate and included a seasonal outflow of business deposits in the first part of the quarter.”

Mr. Brown continued, “I am also pleased that noninterest income rebounded from the fourth quarter with increases across most of our fee revenue areas. During the quarter, we incurred a loss on the sale of investment securities associated with the repositioning of a portion of the investment portfolio. This repositioning has a very short earnback and should enhance our asset yields going forward. We also intensified our focus on expenses during the first quarter. Our workforce efficiency initiative resulted in the reduction of 43 associates during the quarter and we will continue to evaluate additional expense reductions throughout 2024. While expenses increased on a linked quarter basis, most of the increase was related to seasonal employee costs and variable compensation tied to the increase in fee income.”

Mr. Brown discussed the Agile acquisition, “We are excited to add Agile to our mix of specialty businesses. Agile operates an impressive business model, which originates high-quality, short duration loans at attractive yields. At closing, we acquired $93 million in loans, which grew to $119 million at quarter end. We believe Agile will further diversify the loan portfolio and is a perfect complement to our Oak Street and commercial banking businesses.”

Mr. Brown commented on asset quality, “Asset quality was stable for the quarter. Net charge-offs declined for the second consecutive quarter to 38 basis points and were primarily driven by charges on two office loans that had been on nonaccrual since early 2023. These two loans have been charged down to their net realizable value and no other office loans were considered classified at the end of the first quarter. Overall, classified assets increased 12 basis points to 0.92% of assets, while nonperforming assets declined 9.8% from the prior quarter.”

Mr. Brown concluded, “I am pleased with our quarter and with the work our teams are doing to continuously improve the Company. While we are in a difficult operating environment for the industry, I am encouraged by our results and trends, and I expect we will have another strong year.”

Full detail of the Company’s first 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, April 26, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (888) 550-5723 (U.S. toll free) or (646) 960-0471 (U.S. local), access code 5048068. The number should be dialed five to ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning one hour after the completion of the live call at (800) 770-2030 (U.S. toll free), (647) 362-9199 (U.S. local), access code 5048068. The recording will be available until May 10, 2024. 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 March 31, 2024, the Company had $17.6 billion in assets, $11.2 billion in loans, $13.5 billion in deposits and $2.3 billion in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $3.6 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2024. The Company operated 130 full service banking centers as of March 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                    Marketing Communications Manager
(513) 887-5400                        (513) 979-5796
[email protected]            [email protected]    



contentsheader0215a23.jpg
Selected Financial Information
March 31, 2024
(unaudited)

ContentsPage
Consolidated Financial Highlights2
Consolidated Quarterly Statements of Income3
Consolidated Statements of Condition4
Average Consolidated Statements of Condition5
Net Interest Margin Rate / Volume Analysis6-7
Credit Quality8
Capital Adequacy9




    
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended,
Mar. 31,Dec. 31,Sep. 30,June 30,Mar. 31,
20242023202320232023
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income$50,689 $56,732 $63,061 $65,667 $70,403 
Net earnings per share - basic$0.54 $0.60 $0.67 $0.70 $0.75 
Net earnings per share - diluted$0.53 $0.60 $0.66 $0.69 $0.74 
Dividends declared per share$0.23 $0.23 $0.23 $0.23 $0.23 
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets1.18 %1.31 %1.48 %1.55 %1.69 %
Return on average shareholders' equity9.00 %10.50 %11.62 %12.32 %13.71 %
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (1)
17.35 %21.36 %23.60 %25.27 %29.02 %
Net interest margin4.05 %4.21 %4.28 %4.43 %4.51 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)(2)
4.10 %4.26 %4.33 %4.48 %4.55 %
Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets12.99 %12.94 %12.49 %12.54 %12.53 %
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets (1)
7.23 %7.17 %6.50 %6.56 %6.47 %
Risk-weighted assets (1)
8.80 %8.81 %7.88 %8.03 %7.87 %
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets13.09 %12.52 %12.70 %12.60 %12.29 %
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of
    average tangible assets (1)
7.25 %6.57 %6.69 %6.57 %6.21 %
Book value per share$23.95 $23.84 $22.39 $22.52 $22.29 
Tangible book value per share (1)
$12.50 $12.38 $10.91 $11.02 $10.76 
Common equity tier 1 ratio (3)
11.67 %11.73 %11.60 %11.34 %11.00 %
Tier 1 ratio (3)
12.00 %12.06 %11.94 %11.68 %11.34 %
Total capital ratio (3)
14.31 %14.26 %14.19 %14.16 %13.79 %
Leverage ratio (3)
9.75 %9.70 %9.59 %9.33 %9.03 %
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans (4)
$11,066,184 $10,751,028 $10,623,734 $10,513,505 $10,373,302 
Investment securities3,137,665 3,184,408 3,394,237 3,560,453 3,635,317 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks553,654 548,153 386,173 329,584 318,026 
  Total earning assets$14,757,503 $14,483,589 $14,404,144 $14,403,542 $14,326,645 
Total assets$17,306,221 $17,124,955 $16,951,389 $16,968,055 $16,942,999 
Noninterest-bearing deposits$3,169,750 $3,368,024 $3,493,305 $3,663,419 $3,954,915 
Interest-bearing deposits10,109,416 9,834,819 9,293,860 9,050,464 8,857,226 
  Total deposits$13,279,166 $13,202,843 $12,787,165 $12,713,883 $12,812,141 
Borrowings$1,139,014 $1,083,954 $1,403,071 $1,523,699 $1,434,338 
Shareholders' equity$2,265,562 $2,144,482 $2,153,601 $2,137,765 $2,082,210 
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans1.29 %1.29 %1.36 %1.41 %1.36 %
Allowance to nonaccrual loans243.55 %215.10 %193.75 %276.70 %409.46 %
Nonaccrual loans to total loans0.53 %0.60 %0.70 %0.51 %0.33 %
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO0.53 %0.60 %0.71 %0.51 %0.33 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets0.34 %0.38 %0.44 %0.32 %0.21 %
Classified assets to total assets0.92 %0.80 %0.82 %0.81 %0.94 %
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)0.38 %0.46 %0.61 %0.22 %0.00 %
(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) March 31, 2024 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.
(4) Includes loans held for sale.
2


FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
20242023
FirstFourthThirdSecondFirstFull
QuarterQuarterQuarterQuarterQuarterYear
Interest income
  Loans and leases, including fees$201,840 $197,416 $192,261 $184,387 $169,706 $743,770 
  Investment securities
     Taxable28,296 30,294 31,297 32,062 31,867 125,520 
     Tax-exempt3,092 3,402 3,522 3,513 3,464 13,901 
        Total investment securities interest31,388 33,696 34,819 35,575 35,331 139,421 
  Other earning assets7,458 7,325 5,011 3,933 3,544 19,813 
       Total interest income240,686 238,437 232,091 223,895 208,581 903,004 
Interest expense
  Deposits76,075 69,193 57,069 44,292 31,456 202,010 
  Short-term borrowings10,943 10,277 14,615 15,536 12,950 53,378 
  Long-term borrowings4,928 5,202 4,952 4,835 4,857 19,846 
      Total interest expense91,946 84,672 76,636 64,663 49,263 275,234 
      Net interest income148,740 153,765 155,455 159,232 159,318 627,770 
  Provision for credit losses-loans and leases 13,419 8,804 12,907 12,719 8,644 43,074 
  Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments (2,259)1,426 (1,234)(1,994)1,835 33 
      Net interest income after provision for credit losses137,580 143,535 143,782 148,507 148,839 584,663 
Noninterest income
  Service charges on deposit accounts6,912 6,846 6,957 6,972 6,514 27,289 
  Wealth management fees6,676 6,091 6,943 6,713 6,334 26,081 
  Bankcard income3,142 3,349 3,406 3,692 3,592 14,039 
  Client derivative fees1,250 711 1,612 1,827 1,005 5,155 
  Foreign exchange income10,435 8,730 13,384 15,039 16,898 54,051 
  Leasing business income14,589 12,856 14,537 10,265 13,664 51,322 
  Net gains from sales of loans3,784 2,957 4,086 3,839 2,335 13,217 
  Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities(5,277)(851)(4)(384)(19)(1,258)
  Net gain (loss) on equity securities90 202 (54)(82)140 206 
  Other4,911 6,102 5,761 5,377 5,080 22,320 
      Total noninterest income46,512 46,993 56,628 53,258 55,543 212,422 
Noninterest expenses
  Salaries and employee benefits74,037 70,637 75,641 74,199 72,254 292,731 
  Net occupancy5,923 5,890 5,809 5,606 5,685 22,990 
  Furniture and equipment3,688 3,523 3,341 3,362 3,317 13,543 
  Data processing8,305 8,488 8,473 9,871 9,020 35,852 
  Marketing1,962 2,087 2,598 2,802 2,160 9,647 
  Communication795 707 744 644 634 2,729 
  Professional services2,268 3,148 2,524 2,308 1,946 9,926 
  State intangible tax877 984 981 964 985 3,914 
  FDIC assessments2,780 3,651 2,665 2,806 2,826 11,948 
  Intangible amortization 2,301 2,601 2,600 2,601 2,600 10,402 
  Leasing business expense9,754 8,955 8,877 6,730 7,938 32,500 
  Other9,665 8,466 7,791 8,722 7,328 32,307 
      Total noninterest expenses122,355 119,137 122,044 120,615 116,693 478,489 
Income before income taxes61,737 71,391 78,366 81,150 87,689 318,596 
Income tax expense (benefit)11,048 14,659 15,305 15,483 17,286 62,733 
      Net income$50,689 $56,732 $63,061 $65,667 $70,403 $255,863 
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic$0.54 $0.60 $0.67 $0.70 $0.75 $2.72 
Net earnings per share - diluted$0.53 $0.60 $0.66 $0.69 $0.74 $2.69 
Dividends declared per share$0.23 $0.23 $0.23 $0.23 $0.23 $0.92 
Return on average assets1.18 %1.31 %1.48 %1.55 %1.69 %1.51 %
Return on average shareholders' equity9.00 %10.50 %11.62 %12.32 %13.71 %12.01 %
Interest income$240,686 $238,437 $232,091 $223,895 $208,581 $903,004 
Tax equivalent adjustment1,535 1,672 1,659 1,601 1,424 6,356 
   Interest income - tax equivalent242,221 240,109 233,750 225,496 210,005 909,360 
Interest expense91,946 84,672 76,636 64,663 49,263 275,234 
   Net interest income - tax equivalent$150,275 $155,437 $157,114 $160,833 $160,742 $634,126 
Net interest margin4.05 %4.21 %4.28 %4.43 %4.51 %4.36 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)
4.10 %4.26 %4.33 %4.48 %4.55 %4.40 %
Full-time equivalent employees2,1162,129 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.
3


FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Mar. 31,Dec. 31,Sep. 30,June 30,Mar. 31,% Change% Change
20242023202320232023Linked Qtr.Comp Qtr.
ASSETS
     Cash and due from banks$199,407 $213,059 $220,335 $217,385 $199,835 (6.4)%(0.2)%
     Interest-bearing deposits with other banks751,290 792,960 452,867 485,241 305,465 (5.3)%145.9 %
     Investment securities available-for-sale2,850,667 3,021,126 3,044,361 3,249,404 3,384,949 (5.6)%(15.8)%
     Investment securities held-to-maturity79,542 80,321 81,236 82,372 83,070 (1.0)%(4.2)%
     Other investments125,548 129,945 133,725 141,892 143,606 (3.4)%(12.6)%
     Loans held for sale11,534 9,213 12,391 15,267 9,280 25.2 %24.3 %
     Loans and leases
       Commercial and industrial3,591,428 3,501,221 3,420,873 3,433,162 3,449,289 2.6 %4.1 %
       Lease financing492,862 474,817 399,973 360,801 273,898 3.8 %79.9 %
       Construction real estate641,596 564,832 578,824 536,464 525,906 13.6 %22.0 %
       Commercial real estate4,145,969 4,080,939 3,992,654 4,048,460 4,056,627 1.6 %2.2 %
       Residential real estate1,344,677 1,333,674 1,293,470 1,221,484 1,145,069 0.8 %17.4 %
       Home equity773,811 758,676 743,991 728,711 724,672 2.0 %6.8 %
       Installment153,838 159,078 160,648 165,216 204,372 (3.3)%(24.7)%
       Credit card60,939 59,939 56,386 55,911 53,552 1.7 %13.8 %
          Total loans11,205,120 10,933,176 10,646,819 10,550,209 10,433,385 2.5 %7.4 %
       Less:
          Allowance for credit losses (144,274)(141,433)(145,201)(148,646)(141,591)2.0 %1.9 %
                Net loans 11,060,846 10,791,743 10,501,618 10,401,563 10,291,794 2.5 %7.5 %
     Premises and equipment198,428 194,740 192,572 192,077 188,959 1.9 %5.0 %
     Operating leases161,473 153,214 136,883 132,272 153,986 5.4 %4.9 %
     Goodwill 1,007,656 1,005,868 1,005,868 1,005,828 1,005,738 0.2 %0.2 %
     Other intangibles85,603 83,949 86,378 88,662 91,169 2.0 %(6.1)%
     Accrued interest and other assets1,067,244 1,056,762 1,186,618 1,078,186 1,076,033 1.0 %(0.8)%
       Total Assets$17,599,238 $17,532,900 $17,054,852 $17,090,149 $16,933,884 0.4 %3.9 %
LIABILITIES
     Deposits
       Interest-bearing demand$2,916,518 $2,993,219 $2,880,617 $2,919,472 $2,761,811 (2.6)%5.6 %
       Savings4,467,894 4,331,228 4,023,455 3,785,445 3,746,403 3.2 %19.3 %
       Time2,896,860 2,718,390 2,572,909 2,484,780 2,336,368 6.6 %24.0 %
          Total interest-bearing deposits10,281,272 10,042,837 9,476,981 9,189,697 8,844,582 2.4 %16.2 %
       Noninterest-bearing3,175,876 3,317,960 3,438,572 3,605,181 3,830,102 (4.3)%(17.1)%
          Total deposits13,457,148 13,360,797 12,915,553 12,794,878 12,674,684 0.7 %6.2 %
     FHLB short-term borrowings700,000 800,000 755,000 1,050,300 1,089,400 (12.5)%(35.7)%
     Other162,145 137,814 219,188 165,983 128,160 17.7 %26.5 %
          Total short-term borrowings862,145 937,814 974,188 1,216,283 1,217,560 (8.1)%(29.2)%
     Long-term debt343,236 344,115 340,902 339,963 342,647 (0.3)%0.2 %
          Total borrowed funds1,205,381 1,281,929 1,315,090 1,556,246 1,560,207 (6.0)%(22.7)%
     Accrued interest and other liabilities649,706 622,200 694,700 595,606 577,497 4.4 %12.5 %
       Total Liabilities15,312,235 15,264,926 14,925,343 14,946,730 14,812,388 0.3 %3.4 %
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
     Common stock1,632,971 1,638,972 1,636,054 1,632,659 1,629,428 (0.4)%0.2 %
     Retained earnings1,166,065 1,136,718 1,101,905 1,060,715 1,016,893 2.6 %14.7 %
     Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(321,109)(309,819)(410,005)(353,010)(328,059)3.6 %(2.1)%
     Treasury stock, at cost(190,924)(197,897)(198,445)(196,945)(196,766)(3.5)%(3.0)%
       Total Shareholders' Equity2,287,003 2,267,974 2,129,509 2,143,419 2,121,496 0.8 %7.8 %
       Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity$17,599,238 $17,532,900 $17,054,852 $17,090,149 $16,933,884 0.4 %3.9 %

4


FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Quarterly Averages
Mar. 31,Dec. 31,Sep. 30,June 30,Mar. 31,
20242023202320232023
ASSETS
     Cash and due from banks$204,119 $214,678 $211,670 $221,527 $218,724 
     Interest-bearing deposits with other banks553,654 548,153 386,173 329,584 318,026 
     Investment securities3,137,665 3,184,408 3,394,237 3,560,453 3,635,317 
     Loans held for sale12,069 12,547 15,420 11,856 5,531 
     Loans and leases
       Commercial and industrial3,543,475 3,422,381 3,443,615 3,469,683 3,456,681 
       Lease financing480,540 419,179 371,598 323,819 252,219 
       Construction real estate603,974 540,314 547,884 518,190 536,294 
       Commercial real estate4,101,238 4,060,733 4,024,798 4,050,946 4,017,021 
       Residential real estate1,336,749 1,320,670 1,260,249 1,181,053 1,115,889 
       Home equity765,410 750,925 735,251 726,333 728,185 
       Installment157,663 160,242 164,092 172,147 205,934 
       Credit card65,066 64,037 60,827 59,478 55,548 
          Total loans11,054,115 10,738,481 10,608,314 10,501,649 10,367,771 
       Less:
          Allowance for credit losses (143,950)(149,398)(150,297)(145,578)(136,419)
                Net loans 10,910,165 10,589,083 10,458,017 10,356,071 10,231,352 
     Premises and equipment198,482 194,435 194,228 190,583 190,346 
     Operating leases154,655 139,331 132,984 138,725 107,092 
     Goodwill 1,006,477 1,005,870 1,005,844 1,005,791 1,005,713 
     Other intangibles84,109 85,101 87,427 89,878 92,587 
     Accrued interest and other assets1,044,826 1,151,349 1,065,389 1,063,587 1,138,311 
       Total Assets$17,306,221 $17,124,955 $16,951,389 $16,968,055 $16,942,999 
LIABILITIES
     Deposits
       Interest-bearing demand$2,895,768 $2,988,086 $2,927,416 $2,906,855 $2,906,712 
       Savings4,399,768 4,235,658 3,919,590 3,749,902 3,818,807 
       Time2,813,880 2,611,075 2,446,854 2,393,707 2,131,707 
          Total interest-bearing deposits10,109,416 9,834,819 9,293,860 9,050,464 8,857,226 
       Noninterest-bearing3,169,750 3,368,024 3,493,305 3,663,419 3,954,915 
          Total deposits13,279,166 13,202,843 12,787,165 12,713,883 12,812,141 
     Federal funds purchased and securities sold
          under agreements to repurchase4,204 3,586 10,788 21,881 26,380 
     FHLB short-term borrowings646,187 554,826 878,199 1,028,207 925,144 
     Other 146,127 185,221 175,682 132,088 139,195 
          Total short-term borrowings796,518 743,633 1,064,669 1,182,176 1,090,719 
     Long-term debt342,496 340,321 338,402 341,523 343,619 
       Total borrowed funds1,139,014 1,083,954 1,403,071 1,523,699 1,434,338 
     Accrued interest and other liabilities622,479 693,676 607,552 592,708 614,310 
       Total Liabilities15,040,659 14,980,473 14,797,788 14,830,290 14,860,789 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
     Common stock1,637,835 1,637,197 1,634,102 1,631,230 1,633,396 
     Retained earnings1,144,447 1,111,786 1,076,515 1,034,092 989,777 
     Accumulated other comprehensive loss(319,601)(406,265)(358,769)(330,263)(339,450)
     Treasury stock, at cost(197,119)(198,236)(198,247)(197,294)(201,513)
       Total Shareholders' Equity2,265,562 2,144,482 2,153,601 2,137,765 2,082,210 
       Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity$17,306,221 $17,124,955 $16,951,389 $16,968,055 $16,942,999 

5


FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 Quarterly Averages
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023March 31, 2023
BalanceInterestYieldBalanceInterestYieldBalanceInterestYield
Earning assets
    Investments:
      Investment securities$3,137,665 $31,388 4.01 %$3,184,408 $33,696 4.20 %$3,635,317 $35,331 3.94 %
      Interest-bearing deposits with other banks553,654 7,458 5.40 %548,153 7,325 5.30 %318,026 3,544 4.52 %
    Gross loans (1)
11,066,184 201,840 7.32 %10,751,028 197,416 7.29 %10,373,302 169,706 6.63 %
       Total earning assets14,757,503 240,686 6.54 %14,483,589 238,437 6.53 %14,326,645 208,581 5.90 %
Nonearning assets
    Allowance for credit losses(143,950)(149,398)(136,419)
    Cash and due from banks204,119 214,678 218,724 
    Accrued interest and other assets2,488,549 2,576,086 2,534,049 
       Total assets$17,306,221 $17,124,955 $16,942,999 
Interest-bearing liabilities
    Deposits:
      Interest-bearing demand$2,895,768 $14,892 2.06 %$2,988,086 $14,480 1.92 %$2,906,712 $6,604 0.92 %
      Savings4,399,768 29,486 2.69 %4,235,658 26,632 2.49 %3,818,807 7,628 0.81 %
      Time2,813,880 31,697 4.52 %2,611,075 28,081 4.27 %2,131,707 17,224 3.28 %
    Total interest-bearing deposits10,109,416 76,075 3.02 %9,834,819 69,193 2.79 %8,857,226 31,456 1.44 %
    Borrowed funds
      Short-term borrowings796,518 10,943 5.51 %743,633 10,277 5.48 %1,090,719 12,950 4.82 %
      Long-term debt342,496 4,928 5.77 %340,321 5,202 6.06 %343,619 4,857 5.73 %
        Total borrowed funds1,139,014 15,871 5.59 %1,083,954 15,479 5.67 %1,434,338 17,807 5.03 %
       Total interest-bearing liabilities11,248,430 91,946 3.28 %10,918,773 84,672 3.08 %10,291,564 49,263 1.94 %
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
    Noninterest-bearing demand deposits3,169,750 3,368,024 3,954,915 
    Other liabilities622,479 693,676 614,310 
    Shareholders' equity2,265,562 2,144,482 2,082,210 
       Total liabilities & shareholders' equity$17,306,221 $17,124,955 $16,942,999 
Net interest income $148,740 $153,765 $159,318 
Net interest spread 3.26 %3.45 %3.96 %
Net interest margin 4.05 %4.21 %4.51 %
Tax equivalent adjustment0.05 %0.05 %0.04 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)4.10 %4.26 %4.55 %
(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.
6


FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS (1)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 Linked Qtr. Income Variance Comparable Qtr. Income Variance
RateVolumeTotalRateVolumeTotal
Earning assets
    Investment securities$(1,490)$(818)$(2,308)$636 $(4,579)$(3,943)
    Interest-bearing deposits with other banks140 (7)133 693 3,221 3,914 
    Gross loans (2)
831 3,593 4,424 17,417 14,717 32,134 
       Total earning assets(519)2,768 2,249 18,746 13,359 32,105 
Interest-bearing liabilities
    Total interest-bearing deposits$5,629 $1,253 $6,882 $34,464 $10,155 $44,619 
    Borrowed funds
    Short-term borrowings52 614 666 1,870 (3,877)(2,007)
    Long-term debt(251)(23)(274)33 38 71 
       Total borrowed funds(199)591 392 1,903 (3,839)(1,936)
       Total interest-bearing liabilities5,430 1,844 7,274 36,367 6,316 42,683 
          Net interest income (1)
$(5,949)$924 $(5,025)$(17,621)$7,043 $(10,578)
(1) Not tax equivalent.
(2) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.


7


FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CREDIT QUALITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Mar. 31,Dec. 31,Sep. 30,June 30,Mar. 31,
20242023202320232023
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period$141,433 $145,201 $148,646 $141,591 $132,977 
  Provision for credit losses13,419 8,804 12,907 12,719 8,644 
  Gross charge-offs
    Commercial and industrial2,695 6,866 9,207 2,372 730 
    Lease financing4,244 76 90 13 
    Construction real estate
    Commercial real estate5,319 6,008 2,648 66 
    Residential real estate65 10 20 
    Home equity25 174 54 21 91 
    Installment2,236 2,054 1,349 1,515 1,524 
    Credit card794 363 319 274 217 
      Total gross charge-offs 11,137 13,711 17,023 6,940 2,641 
  Recoveries
    Commercial and industrial162 459 335 631 109 
    Lease financing59 52 
    Construction real estate
    Commercial real estate38 93 39 153 2,238 
    Residential real estate24 24 44 113 66 
    Home equity80 178 125 232 80 
    Installment145 210 87 90 54 
    Credit card51 123 40 56 63 
      Total recoveries559 1,139 671 1,276 2,611 
  Total net charge-offs10,578 12,572 16,352 5,664 30 
Ending allowance for credit losses$144,274 $141,433 $145,201 $148,646 $141,591 
NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
  Commercial and industrial0.29 %0.74 %1.02 %0.20 %0.07 %
  Lease financing(0.05)%3.97 %0.08 %0.11 %0.02 %
  Construction real estate0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %
  Commercial real estate0.52 %(0.01)%0.59 %0.25 %(0.22)%
  Residential real estate0.01 %0.00 %(0.01)%(0.03)%(0.02)%
  Home equity(0.03)%0.00 %(0.04)%(0.12)%0.01 %
  Installment5.33 %4.57 %3.05 %3.32 %2.89 %
  Credit card4.59 %1.49 %1.82 %1.47 %1.12 %
     Total net charge-offs0.38 %0.46 %0.61 %0.22 %0.00 %
COMPONENTS OF NONACCRUAL LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
  Nonaccrual loans
    Commercial and industrial$14,532 $15,746 $17,152 $21,508 $13,971 
    Lease financing3,794 3,610 7,731 4,833 175 
    Construction real estate
    Commercial real estate23,055 27,984 33,019 11,876 5,362 
    Residential real estate12,836 14,067 12,328 11,697 11,129 
    Home equity4,036 3,476 3,937 3,239 3,399 
    Installment984 870 774 568 544 
      Total nonaccrual loans59,237 65,753 74,941 53,721 34,580 
  Other real estate owned (OREO)161 106 142 281 191 
     Total nonperforming assets59,398 65,859 75,083 54,002 34,771 
  Accruing loans past due 90 days or more820 2,028 698 873 159 
     Total underperforming assets$60,218 $67,887 $75,781 $54,875 $34,930 
Total classified assets $162,348 $140,995 $140,552 $138,909 $158,984 
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for credit losses to
     Nonaccrual loans243.55 %215.10 %193.75 %276.70 %409.46 %
     Total ending loans1.29 %1.29 %1.36 %1.41 %1.36 %
Nonaccrual loans to total loans0.53 %0.60 %0.70 %0.51 %0.33 %
Nonperforming assets to
     Ending loans, plus OREO0.53 %0.60 %0.71 %0.51 %0.33 %
     Total assets0.34 %0.38 %0.44 %0.32 %0.21 %
Nonperforming assets, excluding accruing TDRs to
     Ending loans, plus OREO0.53 %0.60 %0.71 %0.51 %0.33 %
     Total assets0.34 %0.38 %0.44 %0.32 %0.21 %
Classified assets to total assets0.92 %0.80 %0.82 %0.81 %0.94 %
8


FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended,
Mar. 31,Dec. 31,Sep. 30,June 30,Mar. 31,
20242023202320232023
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
  High$23.68 $24.28 $24.02 $22.27 $26.24 
  Low$21.04 $17.37 $19.19 $18.20 $21.30 
  Close$22.42 $23.75 $19.60 $20.44 $21.77 
Average shares outstanding - basic94,218,067 94,063,570 94,030,275 93,924,068 93,732,532 
Average shares outstanding - diluted95,183,998 95,126,316 95,126,269 95,169,348 94,960,158 
Ending shares outstanding95,473,595 95,141,244 95,117,180 95,185,483 95,190,406 
Total shareholders' equity$2,287,003 $2,267,974 $2,129,509 $2,143,419 $2,121,496 
REGULATORY CAPITALPreliminary
Common equity tier 1 capital$1,582,113 $1,568,815 $1,527,793 $1,481,913 $1,432,332 
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio11.67 %11.73 %11.60 %11.34 %11.00 %
Tier 1 capital$1,626,899 $1,613,480 $1,572,248 $1,526,362 $1,476,734 
Tier 1 ratio12.00 %12.06 %11.94 %11.68 %11.34 %
Total capital$1,940,762 $1,907,441 $1,868,490 $1,851,144 $1,796,385 
Total capital ratio14.31 %14.26 %14.19 %14.16 %13.79 %
Total capital in excess of minimum requirement$516,704 $503,152 $485,580 $478,911 $428,700 
Total risk-weighted assets$13,562,455 $13,374,177 $13,170,574 $13,068,888 $13,025,567 
Leverage ratio9.75 %9.70 %9.59 %9.33 %9.03 %
OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets12.99 %12.94 %12.49 %12.54 %12.53 %
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets (1)
7.23 %7.17 %6.50 %6.56 %6.47 %
Average shareholders' equity to average assets13.09 %12.52 %12.70 %12.60 %12.29 %
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets (1)
7.25 %6.57 %6.69 %6.57 %6.21 %
REPURCHASE PROGRAM (2)
Shares repurchased
Average share repurchase priceN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Total cost of shares repurchasedN/AN/AN/AN/AN/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
9
earnings presentation • First Quarter 2024 Exhibit 99.2


 
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;


 
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.


 
1Q 2024 results 134th Consecutive Quarter of Profitability 4 • EOP assets increased $66.3 million compared to the linked quarter to $17.6 billion • EOP loans increased $271.9 million compared to the linked quarter to $11.2 billion • Average deposits increased $76.3 million compared to the linked quarter to $13.3 billion • EOP investment securities decreased $171.2 million compared to the linked quarter Balance Sheet Profitability Asset Quality Income Statement Capital • Noninterest income – $46.5 million; $51.7 million as adjusted1 • Noninterest expense – $122.4 million; $121.0 million as adjusted1 • Efficiency ratio – 62.7%. Adjusted1 efficiency ratio – 60.4% • Effective tax rate of 17.9%. Adjusted1 effective tax rate of 18.2% • Net interest income – $148.7 million • Net interest margin of 4.05% on a GAAP basis; 4.10% on a fully tax equivalent basis1 • Net income – $50.7 million or $0.53 per diluted share. Adjusted1 net income – $55.8 million or $0.59 per diluted share • Return on average assets – 1.18%. Adjusted 1 return on average assets – 1.30% • Return on average shareholders’ equity – 9.00%. Adjusted1 return on average shareholders’ equity – 9.91% • Return on average tangible common equity – 17.35%1. Adjusted1 return on average tangible common equity – 19.11% • Provision expense - $11.2 million • Net charge-offs – $10.6 million. NCOs / Avg. Loans – 0.38% annualized • Classified Assets / Total Assets - 0.92% • NPA / Total Assets – 0.34% • ACL / Total Loans – 1.29% • Total capital ratio – 14.31% • Tier 1 common equity ratio – 11.67% • Tangible common equity ratio – 7.23%. Adjusted1 Tangible common equity ratio – 9.18% • Tangible book value per share – $12.50 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation.


 
1Q 2024 highlights • Quarterly earnings driven by strong net interest margin • Adjusted1 earnings per share – $0.59 • Adjusted1 return on assets – 1.30% • Adjusted1 pre-tax, pre-provision return on assets – 1.85% • Adjusted1 return on average tangible common equity – 19.11% • Purchased Agile Premium Finance on February 29, 2024 • Lends to commercial customers to finance insurance premiums; loans collateralized by unearned premiums • $93.4 million in loan balances at acquisition; $119.0 million at March 31, 2024 • $5.6 million of intangible assets, including $1.8 million of goodwill and $2.7 million customer list • Solid loan growth during the period, exceeding expectations • EOP loan balances increased $271.9 million compared to the linked quarter; 10.0% on an annualized basis • Growth included a $122.3 million increase in ICRE and $119.0 million increase due to acquisition of Agile • Total average deposit balances increased $76.3 million, or 2.3% annualized • Approximately $100 million in seasonal business deposit outflows during the quarter • Decline of $189.0 million in noninterest bearing deposit balances from linked quarter • $198.4 million growth in money market accounts and $186.0 million increase in retail CDs offset declines in noninterest bearing checking, savings and public funds • Average noninterest bearing deposits were 23% of average total deposits at March 31, 2024 • Net interest margin (FTE) decreased 16 bps to 4.10%, in line with expectations • Linked quarter decline driven by increased funding costs • 19 bp increase in cost of funds partially offset by modest increase in asset yields • Repositioned $228.8 million of the investment portfolio o Sales resulted in $5.2 million loss o Reinvestment to result in 278 bp increase in yield; Earnback approximately 1 year 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliations. 5


 
1Q 2024 highlights • Adjusted1 noninterest income of $51.7 million, an 8.5% increase from fourth quarter • Wealth management and foreign exchange income increased from the linked quarter • Leasing business revenue of $14.6 million, an increase of $1.7 million, or 13.5%, compared to linked quarter • Restructuring $150 million of our bank owned life insurance portfolio, which is expected to result in approximately 200 bp increase in yield in the back half of the year • Adjusted1 $5.2 million for losses on sales of investment securities • Adjusted1 noninterest expense of $121.0 million, a 3.6% increase from fourth quarter • Adjustments1 include $0.2 million FDIC special assessment and other costs such as acquisition, severance and branch consolidation costs • Increase driven by variable compensation tied to fee income and seasonal increase in payroll taxes • Efficiency ratio of 62.7%; 60.4% as adjusted1 • Workforce efficiency initiative with full savings expected to be realized by end of 2024 • Stable allowance for credit loss (ACL) and provision expense • Total ACL of $160.4 million; provision expense of $11.2 million o Loans and leases - ACL of $144.3 million; 1.29% of total loans o Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $16.2 million • Provision expense driven by net charge-offs and loan growth • NPA to total assets of 0.34%; 4 bp, or 10.5% decline from linked quarter • $10.6 million in net charge-offs; 38 bps as a percentage of loans on an annualized basis, 8bp decline from linked quarter • Classified assets increased $21.4 million during first quarter due to two relationships downgraded during the period; 0.92% of total assets • Capital ratios in excess of targets • Total capital ratio of 14.31% • Tier 1 common equity of 11.67%; 6 basis point decrease from linked quarter • Tangible book value increased by $0.12, or 1.0%, to $12.50 • Tangible common equity increased 6 bps to 7.23%; 9.18%1 excluding ($321.1) 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. .


 
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 148,740$ 148,740$ 153,765$ 155,455$ Provision for credit losses-loans and leases 13,419$ 13,419$ 8,804$ 8,804$ Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments (2,259)$ (2,259)$ 1,426$ 1,426$ Noninterest income 46,512$ 46,512$ 46,993$ 46,993$ less: gains (losses) on security transactions - (5,187) A - (649) A less: other - - A - - A Total noninterest income 46,512$ 51,699$ 46,993$ 47,642$ Noninterest expense 122,355$ 122,355$ 119,137$ 119,137$ less: FDIC special assessment - 231 A - 925 A less: other - 1,087 A - 1,363 A Total noninterest expense 122,355$ 121,037$ 119,137$ 116,849$ Income before income taxes 61,737$ 68,242$ 71,391$ 74,328$ Income tax expense 11,048$ 11,048$ 14,659$ 14,659$ plus: after-tax impact of tax credit investment @ 21% - 52 - 276 plus: tax effect of adjustments (A) @ 21% statutory rate - 1,318 - 423 Total income tax expense 11,048$ 12,418$ 14,659$ 15,358$ Net income 50,689$ 55,824$ 56,732$ 58,970$ Net earnings per share - diluted 0.53$ 0.59$ 0.60$ 0.62$ Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets 1.69% 1.85% 1.89% 1.96% 1Q 2024 4Q 2023


 
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. Efficiency Ratio $0.53$0.60$0.66$0.69$0.74 $0.59 $0.62 $0.67 $0.72 $0.76 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Diluted EPS Adjusted EPS 1 1.18%1.31%1.48%1.55%1.69% 1.30%1.37% 1.49% 1.62%1.72% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 ROA Adjusted ROA 1 17.35% 21.36%23.60%25.27% 29.02% 19.11% 22.21% 23.76% 26.46% 29.64% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 ROATCE Adjusted ROATCE 1 54.3% 56.8% 57.5% 59.3% 62.7% 53.3% 54.9% 57.3% 58.0% 60.4% 1Q23 2Q23 3Q23 4Q23 1Q24 Efficiency Ratio Adjusted Efficiency Ratio 1


 
net interest income & margin 9 Net Interest Margin (FTE) 1Q24 NIM (FTE) Progression Net Interest Income All dollars shown in millions $143.9$147.7$150.9$154.2$155.0 $4.0 $5.2 $4.5 $5.0$4.3 $148.7 $153.8 $155.5 $159.2$159.3 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Basic NII Loan Fees 3.99%4.12%4.21%4.34%4.43% 0.11% 0.14% 0.12% 0.14% 0.12% 4.10% 4.26% 4.33% 4.48% 4.55% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Basic Margin (FTE) Loan Fees 4Q23 4.26% Asset yields/mix 0.06% Loan fees -0.03% Deposit & funding costs/mix -0.19% 1Q24 4.10%


 
average balance sheet 10 Average Loans Average Securities Average Deposits All dollars shown in millions 1 Includes loans fees and loan accretion $11,066$10,751$10,624$10,514$10,373 7.32%7.29%7.18% 7.03% 6.63% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Loans Loan Yield 1 $13,279$13,203$12,787$12,714$12,812 2.30%2.08%1.77%1.40% 1.00% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Deposits Cost of Deposits $3,138$3,184$3,394$3,560$3,635 4.01% 4.20% 4.07% 4.01% 3.94% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Investment Securities Investment Securities Yield


 
liquidity and beta profile 11 1Historical data adjusted for the merger with MainSource Financial Group, Inc. using the sum of the individual components. Historical Deposit and Loan Betas1 Total Deposit Beta Loan Beta Liquidity Trends 24% 33% 43% 3Q15-2Q19 Fed Cycle (+225bps) 3Q19-4Q21 Fed Cycle (-225bps) 1Q22-1Q24 Fed Cycle (+525bps) 53% 77% 68% 3Q15-2Q19 Fed Cycle (+225bps) 3Q19-4Q21 Fed Cycle (-225bps) 1Q22-1Q24 Fed Cycle (+525bps) 77% 79% 81% 82% 82% 82% 82% 83% 2Q22 3Q22 4Q22 1Q23 2Q23 3Q23 4Q23 1Q24 Loans / Deposits Ratio 28% 26% 25% 24% 24% 23% 24% 23% 2Q22 3Q22 4Q22 1Q23 2Q23 3Q23 4Q23 1Q24 Cash + Securities / Assets


 
12 Borrowing Capacity • Interest-bearing deposits with other banks of $751 million • Investment securities portfolio: • 97.3% of investment portfolio classified as available-for-sale • $554.0 million of expected cash flow from securities portfolio in next 12 months • $472.1 million of floating rate securities with minimal losses • Portfolio duration of 4.6 years at March 31, 2024 borrowing capacity & cash/investment liquidity Cash/Investment Liquidity All dollars shown in thousands FHLB borrowing availability 632,898$ Fed Discount Window availability 848,117 Brokered CDs/Deposit placement services 2,163,848 Fed funds 1,483,000 Total as of March 31, 2024 5,127,863$


 
agile acquisition 13 • $93.4 million in loans acquired • $5.6 million of intangibles created: • Goodwill - $1.8 million • Customer List - $2.7 million • 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 • Expected to grow $80 million in outstandings by year-end • Current gross yields ~9% • 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


 
loan portfolio 14 Loan LOB Mix (EOP) Net Loan Change-LOB (Linked Quarter) All dollars shown in millions Total growth/(decline): $271.9 million ICRE $3,712 33% Commercial & Small Business Banking $3,240 29% Oak Street $747 7% Franchise $254 2% Summit $688 6% Agile $119 1% Consumer $964 9% Mortgage $1,481 13% Total $11.2 Billion $122.3 -$48.8 $8.9 $2.0 $34.5 $119.0 $11.8 $22.2 ICRE Commercial & Small Business Banking Oak Street Franchise Summit Agile Consumer Mortgage


 
loan concentrations 15 C&I and Owner Occupied CRE Loans by Sector1 Investor CRE Loans by Property Type All dollars shown in millions 1 Excludes Summit Funding Group and Agile Premium Finance NAICS Sector 3/31/24 % of Total Loans Finance and Insurance $835.5 7.5% Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 690.6 6.2% Manufacturing 503.7 4.5% Accommodation and Food Services 312.9 2.8% Health Care and Social Assistance 247.0 2.2% Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 237.9 2.1% Construction 225.2 2.0% Wholesale Trade 204.2 1.8% Retail Trade 171.7 1.5% Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 163.5 1.5% Other Services (except Public Administration) 137.4 1.2% Administrative and Support and Waste Manageme 117.2 1.0% Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 94.3 0.8% Transportation and Warehousing 91.5 0.8% Information 69.9 0.6% Other 119.2 1.1% Grand Total $4,221.5 37.7% Property Type 3/31/24 % of Total Loans Residential Multi Family 5+ $1,192.9 10.6% Retail Property 780.4 7.0% Office 464.2 4.1% Industrial 395.3 3.5% Hospital/Nursing Home 342.1 3.1% Hotel 198.6 1.8% Land 104.8 0.9% Residential 1-4 Family 99.7 0.9% Other Real Estate 57.5 0.5% Other 76.3 0.7% Grand Total $3,711.8 33.1%


 
area of focus - office portfolio (non-owner occupied) 16 Office Property Type 1 Performance metrics based on loans greater than $2.5 million and excluding classified assets. All dollars shown in millions Office Property Market Office Maturity Schedule • $464 million balance represents 4.1% of total loan portfolio • Majority of exposure is in our metro markets and secured by suburban Class A & Class B assets with recourse to the sponsor • No exposure to gateway cities • $17 million on nonaccrual status; 2 relationships; have been charged down to net realizable value • $32 million rated special mention; 4 relationships • Performance metrics at origination or renewal1: • LTV – 62% • Occupancy – 86.2% • Debt coverage – 1.63x $379 82% $47 10% $26 6% $12 2% General Office Medical Mixed Use Other $304 66% $141 30% $19 4% Suburban Urban Non-metro


 
deposits 17 Deposit Product Mix (Avg) 1Q24 Average Deposit Progression All dollars shown in millions Total growth/(decline): $76.3 million -$189.0 -$16.1 -$35.9 $198.4 $186.0 -$3.2 -$63.9 Noninterest-bearing Interest-bearing demand Savings Money Markets Retail CDs Brokered Deposits Public Funds Noninterest- bearing $3,071 23% Interest-bearing demand $1,619 12% Savings $1,067 8%Money Markets $2,866 22% Retail CDs $1,439 11% Brokered Deposits $1,353 10% Public Funds $1,864 14% Total $13.3 billion


 
average deposit trends 18 All dollars shown in millions Business Public Funds Personal Uninsured Deposits $6,162$5,921$5,824$5,821$5,903$5,910 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q234Q22 $3,823$3,913$3,789$3,664$3,881$4,133 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q234Q22 $1,864$1,928$1,805$1,823$1,842$2,026 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q234Q22 Uninsured deposits (per call report instructions) 5,450$ Less: Public funds 1,660 Less: Intercompany deposits 565 Adjusted uninsured deposits 3,225 Borrowing capacity 5,128 Borrowing capacity in excess of adjusted uninsured deposits $ 1,903 Borrowing capacity as a % of adjusted uninsured deposits 159.0% Adjusted uninsured deposits to total deposits 24.0%


 
noninterest income 19 Noninterest Income 1Q24 Highlights All dollars shown in thousands • Total fee income 23.8% of net revenue • Foreign exchange income of $10.4 million; increased $1.7 million, or 19.5%, from the linked quarter • Leasing business income of $14.6 million; increased $1.7 million, or 13.5%, from the linked quarter • Trust and wealth management fees of $6.7 million: increased $0.6 million, or 9.6%, from the linked quarter • Deposit service charge income of $6.9 million: increased $0.1 or 1.0% from the linked quarter • Mortgage banking income of $3.8 million; increased $0.8 million, or 28.0%, from the linked quarter • Client derivative income of $1.3 million; increased $0.5 million, or 75.8%, from the linked quarter Service Charges $6,912 15% Wealth Mgmt $6,676 14% Bankcard income $3,142 7% Client derivative fees $1,250 3% Foreign exchange income $10,435 22% Leasing business income $14,589 31% Mortgage banking income $3,784 8% Other $(276) 0% Total $46.5 million


 
noninterest expense 20 Noninterest Expense 1Q24 Highlights All dollars shown in thousands Salaries and benefits $74,037 60% Occupancy and equipment $9,611 8% Data processing $8,305 7% Professional services $2,268 2% Intangible amortization $2,301 2% Leasing business expense $9,754 8% Other $16,079 13% Total $122.4 million • Core expenses increased $4.2 million, or 3.6% • $2.0 million seasonal increase in payroll taxes • $1.6 million increase in variable incentive compensation tied to fee income • $0.8 million increase in leasing business expense • $1.3 million of adjustments include: • $0.2 million FDIC special assessment • $1.1 million of other costs such as acquisition, severance and branch consolidation costs


 
allowance for credit losses 21 ACL / Total Loans 1Q24 Highlights All dollars shown in millions • $160.4 million combined ACL; $11.2 million combined provision expense • $144.3 million ACL – loans and leases; modest increase driven by loan growth; 1.29% of loan balances • Utilized Moody’s March baseline forecast in quantitative model • $16.2 million ACL – unfunded commitments $141.6 $148.6 $145.2 $141.4 $144.3 $20.2 $18.2 $17.0 $18.4 $16.2 $161.8 $166.9 $162.2 $159.9 $160.4 1.36% 1.41% 1.36% 1.29% 1.29% 1Q23 2Q23 3Q23 4Q23 1Q24 ACL-loans and leases ACL-unfunded commitments ACL / Total Loans


 
asset quality 22 Nonperforming Assets / Total AssetsClassified Assets / Total Assets Net Charge Offs & Provision Expense1 . 1 Provision includes both loans & leases and unfunded commitments All dollars shown in millions $59.4 $65.9 $75.1 $54.0 $34.8 0.34% 0.38%0.44% 0.32% 0.21% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 NPAs NPAs / Total Assets $0.0 $5.7 $16.4 $12.6 $10.6 $10.5 $10.7 $11.7 $10.2 $11.2 0.38% 0.46% 0.61% 0.22% 0.00% 1Q23 2Q23 3Q23 4Q23 1Q24 NCOs Provision Expense NCOs / Average Loans $162.3 $141.0$140.6$138.9 $159.0 0.92% 0.80%0.82%0.81% 0.94% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Classified Assets Classified Assets / Total Assets


 
capital 23 Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio Total Capital Ratio Tangible Common Equity Ratio 3/31 Risk Weighted Assets = $13,562,455 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 6.47% 6.56% 6.50% 7.17% 7.23% 8.54% 8.76% 9.07% 9.05% 9.18% 1Q23 2Q23 3Q23 4Q23 1Q24 TCE ratio Adjusted TCE ratio1 11.67%11.73%11.60%11.34%11.00% 7.00% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio Basel III minimum 12.00%12.06%11.94%11.68%11.34% 8.50% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Tier 1 Capital Ratio Basel III minimum 14.31%14.26%14.19%14.16%13.79% 10.50% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Total Capital Ratio Basel III minimum


 
capital ratios, reflecting all unrealized losses1 24 Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio Total Capital Ratio 3/31 Risk Weighted Assets = $13,562,455 All capital numbers are considered preliminary. 1 Assumes Company holds cash proceeds of securities sales Tier 1 Capital Ratio 10.11%10.24%9.62%9.53%9.37% 7.00% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio Basel III minimum1 10.46%10.59%9.99%9.89%9.74%8.50% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Tier 1 Capital Ratio Basel III minimum1 12.91%12.93%12.47%12.55%12.38% 10.50% 1Q244Q233Q232Q231Q23 Total Capital Ratio Basel III minimum1


 
capital strategy 25 Strategy & DeploymentTangible Book Value Per Share • 4.1% annualized dividend yield • 43.3% of 1Q24 earnings returned to shareholders through common dividend • Most recent internal stress testing indicates capital ratios above regulatory minimums in all modeled scenarios • Common dividend expected to remain unchanged in near-term • No shares repurchased in 1Q24; no plans to repurchase shares in near- term • 1% increase in TBV per share from linked quarter driven by strong earnings • 16.2% increase since 1Q23 $10.76 $11.02 $10.91 $12.38 $12.50 $14.21 $14.73 $15.22 $15.64 $15.87 1Q23 2Q23 3Q23 4Q23 1Q24 Tangible Book Value per Share TBV per share-adjusted 1 1 Excludes impact from AOCI


 
outlook commentary1 • Loan balances expected to grow 10-12% on an annualized basis in near-term • Average deposit balances expected to grow moderately in near-term • Investment portfolio expected to remain stable in near-term 26 • Total noninterest expense expected to be $120 - 122 million • Includes $9-11 million leasing business expense • Incentive expense will fluctuate with fee income Noninterest Expense Net Interest Margin Balance Sheet Credit • Credit costs expected to remain flat in 2Q24 • Net charge-offs expected to be approximately 30 basis points for full year • Stable to slightly increasing ACL coverage as a percentage of loans expected Noninterest Income • Total expected fee income of $56 - 58 million • Includes $12-14 million foreign exchange • Includes $15-17 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 3.95% - 4.05%; assumes no Fed cuts in the second quarter Capital • Expect to maintain dividend at current levels


 
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 27 appendix: non-GAAP measures


 
appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation 28 All dollars shown in thousands Net interest income and net interest margin - fully tax equivalent Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, 2024 2023 2023 2023 2023 Net interest income 148,740$ 153,765$ 155,455$ 159,232$ 159,318$ Tax equivalent adjustment 1,535 1,672 1,659 1,601 1,424 Net interest income - tax equivalent 150,275$ 155,437$ 157,114$ 160,833$ 160,742$ Average earning assets 14,757,503$ 14,483,589$ 14,404,144$ 14,403,542$ 14,326,645$ Net interest margin1 4.05 % 4.21 % 4.28 % 4.43 % 4.51 % Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)1 4.10 % 4.26 % 4.33 % 4.48 % 4.55 % 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.


 
appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation 29 All dollars shown in thousands Additional non-GAAP ratios Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2024 2023 2023 2023 2023 Net income (a) 50,689$ 56,732$ 63,061$ 65,667$ 70,403$ Average total shareholders' equity 2,265,562 2,144,482 2,153,601 2,137,765 2,082,210 Less: Goodwill (1,006,477) (1,005,870) (1,005,844) (1,005,791) (1,005,713) Other intangibles (84,109) (85,101) (87,427) (89,878) (92,587) Average tangible equity (b) 1,174,976 1,053,511 1,060,331 1,042,097 983,910 Total shareholders' equity 2,287,003 2,267,974 2,129,509 2,143,419 2,121,496 Less: Goodwill (1,007,656) (1,005,868) (1,005,868) (1,005,828) (1,005,738) Other intangibles (85,603) (83,949) (86,378) (88,662) (91,169) Ending tangible equity (c) 1,193,744 1,178,157 1,037,263 1,048,929 1,024,589 Less: AOCI (321,109) (309,819) (410,005) (353,010) (328,059) Ending tangible equity less AOCI (d) 1,514,853 1,487,976 1,447,268 1,401,939 1,352,648 Total assets 17,599,238 17,532,900 17,054,852 17,090,149 16,933,884 Less: Goodwill (1,007,656) (1,005,868) (1,005,868) (1,005,828) (1,005,738) Other intangibles (85,603) (83,949) (86,378) (88,662) (91,169) Ending tangible assets (e) 16,505,979 16,443,083 15,962,606 15,995,659 15,836,977 Risk-weighted assets (f) 13,562,455 13,374,177 13,170,574 13,118,477 13,025,552 Total average assets 17,306,221 17,124,955 16,951,389 16,968,055 16,942,999 Less: Goodwill (1,006,477) (1,005,870) (1,005,844) (1,005,791) (1,005,713) Other intangibles (84,109) (85,101) (87,427) (89,878) (92,587) Average tangible assets (g) 16,215,635$ 16,033,984$ 15,858,119$ 15,872,386$ 15,844,699$ Ending shares outstanding (h) 95,473,595 95,141,244 95,117,180 95,185,483 95,190,406 Ratios Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (a)/(b) 17.35% 21.36% 23.60% 25.27% 29.02% Ending tangible equity as a percent of: Ending tangible assets (c)/(e) 7.23% 7.17% 6.50% 6.56% 6.47% Risk-weighted assets (c)/(f) 8.80% 8.81% 7.88% 8.00% 7.87% Ending tangible equity excluding AOCI as a percent of: Ending tangible assets (d)/(e) 9.18% 9.05% 9.07% 8.76% 8.54% Average tangible equity as a percent of average tangible assets (b)/(g) 7.25% 6.57% 6.69% 6.57% 6.21% Tangible book value per share (c)/(h) 12.50$ 12.38$ 10.91$ 11.02$ 10.76$ Three months ended,


 
appendix: non-GAAP to GAAP reconciliation 30 All dollars shown in thousands Additional non-GAAP measures 3Q23 2Q23 As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted Net interest income (f) 148,740$ 148,740$ 153,765$ 153,765$ 155,455$ 155,455$ 159,232$ 159,232$ Provision for credit losses-loans and leases (j) 13,419 13,419 8,804 8,804 12,907 12,907 12,719 12,719 Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments (j) (2,259) (2,259) 1,426 1,426 (1,234) (1,234) (1,994) (1,994) Noninterest income 46,512 46,512 46,993 46,993 56,628 56,628 53,258 53,258 less: gains (losses) on security transactions (5,187) (649) (58) (466) less: other - - (94) 227 Total noninterest income (g) 46,512 51,699 46,993 47,642 56,628 56,780 53,258 53,497 Noninterest expense 122,355 122,355 119,137 119,137 122,044 122,044 120,615 120,615 less: tax credit investment writedown - - 104 984 less: FDIC special assessment 231 925 - - less: Summit acquisition costs - - 787 1,717 less: Other 1,087 1,363 (395) 1,044 Total noninterest expense (e) 122,355 121,037 119,137 116,849 122,044 121,548 120,615 116,870 Income before income taxes (i) 61,737 68,242 71,391 74,328 78,366 79,014 81,150 85,134 Income tax expense 11,048 11,048 14,659 14,659 15,305 15,305 15,483 15,483 plus: tax effect of adjustments 52 276 82 81 plus: after-tax impact of tax credit investments @ 21% 1,318 423 136 837 Total income tax expense (h) 11,048 12,418 14,659 15,358 15,305 15,523 15,483 16,401 Net income (a) 50,689$ 55,824$ 56,732$ 58,970$ 63,061$ 63,491$ 65,667$ 68,733$ Average diluted shares (b) 95,184 95,184 95,141 95,141 95,117 95,117 95,185 95,185 Average assets (c) 17,306,221 17,306,221 17,124,955 17,124,955 16,951,389 16,951,389 16,968,055 16,968,055 Average shareholders' equity 2,265,562 2,265,562 2,144,482 2,144,482 2,153,601 2,153,601 2,137,765 2,137,765 Less: Goodwill and other intangibles (1,090,586) (1,090,586) (1,090,971) (1,090,971) (1,093,271) (1,093,271) (1,095,669) (1,095,669) Average tangible equity (d) 1,174,976 1,174,976 1,053,511 1,053,511 1,060,331 1,060,331 1,042,097 1,042,097 Ratios Net earnings per share - diluted (a)/(b) 0.53$ 0.59$ 0.60$ 0.62$ 0.66$ 0.67$ 0.69$ 0.72$ Return on average assets - (a)/(c) 1.18% 1.30% 1.31% 1.37% 1.48% 1.49% 1.55% 1.62% Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets - ((a)+(j)+(h))/(c) 1.69% 1.85% 1.89% 1.96% 2.11% 2.12% 2.17% 2.27% Return on average tangible shareholders' equity - (a)/(d) 17.35% 19.11% 21.36% 22.21% 23.60% 23.76% 25.27% 26.46% Efficiency ratio - (e)/((f)+(g)) 62.7% 60.4% 59.3% 58.0% 57.5% 57.3% 56.8% 54.9% Effective tax rate - (h)/(i) 17.9% 18.2% 20.5% 20.7% 19.5% 19.6% 19.1% 19.3% (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 1Q24 4Q23


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