First Financial Bancorp Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

PR Newswire

  • 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
, Jan. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-financial-bancorp-announces-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-financial-results-302359036.html

SOURCE First Financial Bancorp.