EXHIBIT 99.1

(FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP LOGO)

July 20, 2004

First Financial Bancorp Reports Second-Quarter Earnings

HAMILTON, Ohio – First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) chairman of the board, Bruce E. Leep, today announced second-quarter 2004 earnings of $10,337,000 or 24 cents in diluted earnings per share, compared to $10,610,000 or 24 cents in diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2003. Bancorp also announced year-to-date earnings of $20,285,000 or 46 cents in diluted earnings per share, compared to $21,241,000 or 47 cents in diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2003. This represents a 2.13 percent decrease in year-to-date earnings per share.

Return on assets for the second quarter was 1.06 percent for 2004, compared to 1.11 percent for the same period in 2003. Return on average shareholders’ equity was 11.40 percent for the second quarter of 2004, versus 11.46 percent for the comparable period in 2003. Year-to-date return on assets was 1.05 percent, compared to 1.13 percent in 2003, while return on average shareholders’ equity was 11.14 percent versus 11.49 percent.

“While we continue to work diligently to sign on a new chief executive officer, we remain focused on moving the company forward,” Leep said. “Second-quarter earnings were comparable to last year and again exceeded analysts’ consensus estimates. We are encouraged by some positive indicators in the quarter.

“Net interest margin remained relatively stable, while credit quality continued to improve significantly. Underperforming assets have decreased by 31 percent since June of 2003, while charge-offs for the second quarter were at their lowest level in four years.

“Additionally on July 16, Bancorp completed another phase of our affiliate regionalization plan and a branch divestiture. We continue to implement strategies such as these to improve the company.”

 


 

(The preceding overview of First Financial Bancorp’s earnings is supplemented with the following detail:)

Net Interest Income:

Net interest income for the second quarter of 2004 was $1.2 million less than in the second quarter of 2003, a decline of 3.17 percent. The major contributing factor to the decline in net interest income was net interest margin compression Bancorp experienced during 2003 due to the asset-sensitive position of Bancorp’s balance sheet. This margin compression was the result of the continued downward repricing of assets without a like decrease in deposit liability rates. The net interest margin began to stabilize in the fourth quarter of 2003 and this positive trend has continued in 2004. Net interest income on a linked quarter basis (second quarter 2004 compared to first quarter 2004) remained relatively stable decreasing by only $157,000 or 0.43 percent. Net interest income for 2004 on a year-to-date basis decreased $2.3 million or 3.03 percent from the comparable period in 2003. Bancorp’s net interest margin decreased to 3.98 percent in the second quarter of 2004 from 4.17 percent in the second quarter of 2003. Year-to-date net interest margin was 3.99 percent compared to 4.27 percent in 2003. Given the Federal Reserve’s 25-basis-point increase in rates on June 30, 2004, Bancorp expects a continued stable net interest margin with potential for improvement depending on economic and competitive conditions.

Average outstanding loan balances for the second quarter of 2004 increased 1.68% and year-to-date average loan balances increased 1.80% from the comparable periods a year ago. This increase was achieved even though Bancorp sold approximately $42.2 million of loans since the second quarter of 2003 related to: (1) the sale of a banking center in December of 2003, (2) the sale of distressed loans in December of 2003, and (3) the sale of mobile home loans which closed in the first quarter of 2004. The primary area of loan growth has been in the commercial real estate category. On a linked-quarter basis, average outstanding loan balances were 1.39 percent higher, reflecting growth in commercial and residential real estate, installment, and real estate construction loans as demand improved primarily in Bancorp’s southwestern Ohio market.

Average deposit balances for the second quarter decreased $23.9 million or 0.81 percent and year-to-date average deposits were relatively flat from the comparable periods a year ago. Deposit balances were impacted by the sale of two banking centers since the first quarter of 2003, which reduced deposit balances by $53 million. Bancorp also opened three new banking centers in growing markets in 2003 — two in the fourth quarter — and an additional new banking center in the second quarter of 2004.

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Credit Quality:

The provision for loan loss expense for the second quarter of 2004 was $2.2 million compared to $3.9 million for the same period in 2003. Net charge-offs of $2.1 million for the second quarter were $1.3 million less than the $3.4 million in net charge-offs for the second quarter of 2003. Year-to-date provision expense was $4.8 million or $2.3 million less than 2003. Year-to-date net charge-offs were $4.8 million in 2004, down $1.7 million from the $6.5 million recorded in 2003. Improvements in commercial loans charged-off — partially offset by higher consumer charge-offs — and continued strong recoveries on commercial and consumer loans positively impacted net charge-offs for both the quarter and year-to-date. The percentage of net charge-offs to average loans for the second quarter of 2004 was 0.29 percent compared to 0.48 percent for the same period in 2003. The net charge-offs percentage for the second quarter of 2004 was at the lowest level since June of 2000. The percentage of net charge-offs to average loans was 0.34 percent for year-to-date 2004, compared to 0.47 percent for the same period in 2003.

Bancorp continued to maintain appropriate reserves with an allowance to ending loans ratio of 1.65 percent at quarter end versus 1.73 percent the same quarter a year ago. It is management’s belief that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb inherent credit losses. The nonperforming assets to ending loans ratio decreased to 0.96 percent as of June 30, 2004, from 1.33 percent as of the end of the second quarter 2003. This is also a significant improvement from the linked-quarter percentage of 1.16 percent.

Total nonperforming assets — which includes nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, and other real estate owned — decreased 26.19 percent to $27.9 million at the end of the second quarter of 2004 from $37.8 million at June 30, 2003. Nonaccrual loans decreased $5.5 million, and restructured loans decreased $4.3 million. Other real estate owned remained relatively constant, decreasing by $151,000.

Loans delinquent over 90 days decreased 79.34 percent to $721,000 at the end of the second quarter of 2004 from $3.5 million at the end of the second quarter of 2003. This represents Bancorp’s lowest level of 90-days-past-due loans in over five years.

On a linked-quarter basis, total nonperforming assets decreased $5.2 million or 15.61 percent. Total underperforming assets on a linked quarter basis decreased 16.81 percent as loans delinquent over 90 days decreased by $624,000.

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Bancorp’s level of nonperforming assets has improved over the last several quarters. This improvement in credit quality has been positively influenced by signs of economic recovery, strategies such as the fourth-quarter 2003 distressed loan sale, and improved credit risk disciplines. Given the current economic environment, Bancorp expects continued stable to improving credit quality trends through 2004 although moderate fluctuations could occur as Bancorp continues to work through credit issues.

Noninterest Income:

Second quarter 2004 noninterest income was $14,905,000, an increase of 4.92 percent from the second quarter of 2003. Service charge income decreased $129,000 or 2.62 percent from the same quarter a year ago, largely due to the sale of $53 million in retail deposit balances since the second quarter of 2003. Trust revenues for the second quarter of 2004 increased 14.42 percent or $508,000 more than the comparable period last year primarily as a result of year-over-year market value improvements. The other category of noninterest income increased $285,000 or 4.92 percent from a year ago. Included in other noninterest income for the second quarter of 2004 was the recapture of impairment charges on the mortgage-servicing assets of approximately $441,000 compared with impairment charges of $440,000 for the second quarter of 2003. The positive swing in this category was offset by a decrease in gains on sale of mortgage loans of $973,000 to $408,000 in the second quarter of 2004 from $1,381,000 in the comparable period a year ago.

Year-to-date noninterest income increased 4.60 percent to $29,346,000 in 2004. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in trust fees, additional life insurance income, and increased brokerage fees. Recapture of impairment on the mortgage-servicing assets was approximately $687,000 in 2004 compared with impairment charges of $628,000 in 2003. This positive swing was also offset on a year-to-date basis by a decrease in gains on sale of mortgage loans of $1,815,000 to $697,000 in 2004 from $2,512,000 in the comparable period a year ago.

Noninterest Expense:

Total noninterest expense increased $1.6 million or 4.94 percent for the second quarter of 2004 from the second quarter of 2003. Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.0 million or 5.70 percent. Salary expense for the second quarter of 2004 increased $154,000 or 1.14 percent while employee benefits increased $874,000 or 19.44 percent. In the benefits category, the primary areas of increase were incentive bonus and pension expense. Net occupancy expenses for the second quarter of 2004 increased $152,000 or 8.37 percent as a result of increased building rent, depreciation, and related expenses. Data processing expense for the quarter increased $242,000 or 15.96 percent due primarily to a reclassification

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of certain credit-card and merchant processing expenses from other noninterest expense. Other noninterest expense on a quarterly and year-to-date basis was impacted by costs associated with the mobile home loan sale completed in the first quarter of 2004, direct consulting work in regard to Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 internal control documentation and testing, and the executive search. Year-to-date noninterest expense for 2004 was $3.1 million or 4.81 percent more than 2003 as a result of higher salaries and employee benefits, net occupancy expenses, data processing, and other expense as discussed above.

Other Items:

As planned, the process of regionalization progressed on July 16, 2004, with the merger of Clyde Savings Bank and Indiana Lawrence Bank into the Community First Bank & Trust affiliate headquartered in Celina, Ohio. Concurrently, the $8 million Kewanna, Indiana, branch of Indiana Lawrence Bank was sold to Community State Bank of Royal Center, Indiana.

Bancorp repurchased 114,000 shares of its common stock during the second quarter of 2004 under a previously approved and ongoing program for general corporate purposes.

A $3.9 billion publicly owned bank holding company with over 4,000 shareholders, First Financial Bancorp currently operates 6 banking affiliates in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Indiana with a total of 102 retail banking centers, as well as an investment-advisor affiliate and an operations affiliate. Insurance services are offered through Flagstone Insurance and Financial Services.

This release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, notes, and tables attached and in the First Financial Bancorp Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Management’s analysis may contain forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial performance. However, such performance involves risk and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the strength of the local economies in which operations are conducted, the effects of and changes in policies and laws of regulatory agencies, inflation, and interest rates. For further discussion of certain factors that may cause such forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual results, refer to the 2003 Form 10-K.

First Financial Bancorp
P.O. Box 476
Hamilton, OH 45012
Analyst Contact: C. Douglas Lefferson
513-867-4993
doug.lefferson@ffbc-oh.com
Media Contact: Cheryl R. Lipp
513-867-4929
cheryl.lipp@comfirst.com

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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousand, except per share)
(Unaudited)

                                                         
    Three months ended
  Six months ended
June 30,
    Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,   Jun. 30,  
    2004
  2004
  2003
  2003
  2003
  2004
  2003
EARNINGS
                                                       
Net interest income
  $ 36,000     $ 36,157     $ 34,093     $ 36,373     $ 37,179     $ 72,157     $ 74,415  
Net earnings
    10,337       9,948       8,841       7,824       10,610       20,285       21,241  
Net earnings per share — basic
  $ 0.24     $ 0.23     $ 0.20     $ 0.18     $ 0.24     $ 0.46     $ 0.48  
Net earnings per share — diluted
  $ 0.24     $ 0.23     $ 0.20     $ 0.18     $ 0.24     $ 0.46     $ 0.47  
KEY RATIOS
                                                       
Return on average assets
    1.06 %     1.03 %     0.90 %     0.80 %     1.11 %     1.05 %     1.13 %
Return on average shareholders’ equity
    11.40 %     10.88 %     9.62 %     8.46 %     11.46 %     11.14 %     11.49 %
Average shareholders’ equity to average assets
    9.33 %     9.44 %     9.38 %     9.42 %     9.66 %     9.38 %     9.84 %
Net interest margin
    3.98 %     4.00 %     3.74 %     3.98 %     4.17 %     3.99 %     4.27 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)
    4.07 %     4.10 %     3.84 %     4.08 %     4.28 %     4.08 %     4.38 %
COMMON STOCK DATA
                                                       
Average basic shares outstanding
    43,868,314       43,924,139       43,993,558       44,122,446       44,486,775       43,908,838       44,689,019  
Average diluted shares outstanding
    43,951,016       43,967,599       44,012,803       44,160,906       44,519,484       43,971,919       44,783,104  
Ending shares outstanding
    43,810,651       43,924,139       43,939,018       44,049,702       44,277,529       43,810,651       44,277,529  
Market price:
                                                       
High
  $ 18.47     $ 18.82     $ 16.92     $ 16.60     $ 17.00     $ 18.82     $ 17.19  
Low
  $ 15.61     $ 16.29     $ 15.14     $ 14.67     $ 15.00     $ 15.61     $ 15.00  
Close
  $ 17.72     $ 18.50     $ 15.95     $ 14.75     $ 15.83     $ 17.72     $ 15.83  
Book value
  $ 8.24     $ 8.44     $ 8.34     $ 8.34     $ 8.40     $ 8.24     $ 8.40  
Common dividend declared
  $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.30     $ 0.30  
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
                                                       
Loans less unearned income
  $ 2,859,043     $ 2,819,711     $ 2,805,667     $ 2,829,582     $ 2,811,848     $ 2,839,377     $ 2,789,036  
Investment securities
    767,667       799,823       798,727       778,365       747,090       783,745       699,121  
Other earning assets
    13,827       12,279       13,559       15,845       13,619       13,053       27,110  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total earning assets
    3,640,537       3,631,813       3,617,953       3,623,792       3,572,557       3,636,175       3,515,267  
Total assets
    3,907,566       3,894,900       3,886,012       3,894,426       3,841,251       3,901,233       3,786,303  
Noninterest-bearing deposits
    405,098       395,894       399,611       392,862       406,730       400,496       411,749  
Interest-bearing deposits
    2,514,194       2,530,912       2,553,934       2,592,383       2,536,477       2,522,553       2,512,180  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total deposits
    2,919,292       2,926,806       2,953,545       2,985,245       2,943,207       2,923,049       2,923,929  
Borrowings
    564,710       542,380       516,952       486,825       481,731       553,545       446,113  
Shareholders’ equity
    364,574       367,628       364,653       366,978       371,219       366,101       372,719  
CREDIT QUALITY
                                                       
Ending allowance for loan losses
  $ 47,824     $ 47,672     $ 47,771     $ 48,680     $ 48,876     $ 47,824     $ 48,876  
Nonperforming assets:
                                                       
Nonaccrual
    22,723       26,586       25,980       28,374       28,210       22,723       28,210  
Restructured
    2,936       3,373       3,821       6,532       7,188       2,936       7,188  
OREO
    2,215       3,070       3,207       3,054       2,366       2,215       2,366  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total nonperforming assets
    27,874       33,029       33,008       37,960       37,764       27,874       37,764  
Loans delinquent over 90 days
    721       1,345       1,872       3,186       3,490       721       3,490  
Gross charge-offs:
                                                       
Commercial real estate
    (105 )     (631 )     (3,377 )     (300 )     (424 )     (736 )     (536 )
Commercial loans and leases
    (560 )     (1,036 )     (3,650 )     (2,771 )     (1,800 )     (1,596 )     (3,499 )
Consumer
    (2,622 )     (2,588 )     (2,447 )     (2,351 )     (1,957 )     (5,210 )     (4,311 )
All other
    (2 )     (27 )     (8 )     (38 )     (18 )     (29 )     (18 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total gross charge-offs
    (3,289 )     (4,282 )     (9,482 )     (5,460 )     (4,199 )     (7,571 )     (8,364 )
Recoveries:
                                                       
Commercial real estate
    0       34       83       5       45       34       50  
Commercial loans and leases
    467       538       561       316       229       1,005       661  
Consumer
    723       1,011       498       576       553       1,734       1,195  
All other
    8       0       9       3       1       8       1  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total recoveries
    1,198       1,583       1,151       900       828       2,781       1,907  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total net charge-offs
    (2,091 )     (2,699 )     (8,331 )     (4,560 )     (3,371 )     (4,790 )     (6,457 )
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
                                                       
Allowance to ending loans, net of unearned income
    1.65 %     1.68 %     1.71 %     1.73 %     1.73 %     1.65 %     1.73 %
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, net of unearned income plus OREO
    0.96 %     1.16 %     1.18 %     1.34 %     1.33 %     0.96 %     1.33 %
90 days past due to loans, net of unearned income
    0.02 %     0.05 %     0.07 %     0.11 %     0.12 %     0.02 %     0.12 %
Net charge-offs to average loans, net of unearned income
    0.29 %     0.38 %     1.18 %     0.64 %     0.48 %     0.34 %     0.47 %

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

                                                         
    Three months ended,
  Six months ended,
June 30,
    Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,   Jun. 30,  
    2004
  2004
  2003
  2003
  2003
  2004
  2003
Interest income
                                                       
Loans, including fees
  $ 42,461     $ 42,522     $ 41,393     $ 45,256     $ 46,418     $ 84,983     $ 93,122  
Investment securities
                                                       
Taxable
    6,241       6,813       6,060       5,263       5,220       13,054       10,478  
Tax-exempt
    1,381       1,449       1,555       1,579       1,632       2,830       3,296  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total investment securities interest
    7,622       8,262       7,615       6,842       6,852       15,884       13,774  
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
    34       28       36       26       28       62       79  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
    9       11       11       24       37       20       111  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest income
    50,126       50,823       49,055       52,148       53,335       100,949       107,086  
Interest expense
                                                       
Deposits
    9,037       9,662       10,214       10,692       11,396       18,699       23,480  
Short-term borrowings
    526       499       471       443       530       1,025       910  
Long-term borrowings
    4,226       4,163       4,130       4,161       4,112       8,389       8,043  
Subordinated debentures and capital securities
    337       342       147       479       118       679       238  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest expense
    14,126       14,666       14,962       15,775       16,156       28,792       32,671  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
    36,000       36,157       34,093       36,373       37,179       72,157       74,415  
Provision for loan losses
    2,243       2,600       7,422       4,364       3,942       4,843       7,156  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    33,757       33,557       26,671       32,009       33,237       67,314       67,259  
Noninterest income
                                                       
Service charges on deposit accounts
    4,794       4,613       4,917       4,984       4,923       9,407       9,521  
Trust revenues
    4,030       3,892       3,648       3,623       3,522       7,922       7,229  
Investment securities gains (losses)
    (1 )     (2 )     4       28       (36 )     (3 )     (8 )
Other
    6,082       5,938       10,458       6,494       5,797       12,020       11,314  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total noninterest income
    14,905       14,441       19,027       15,129       14,206       29,346       28,056  
Noninterest expenses
                                                       
Salaries and employee benefits
    19,056       18,519       18,625       21,664       18,028       37,575       36,219  
Net occupancy
    1,968       2,205       1,872       1,899       1,816       4,173       3,894  
Furniture and equipment
    1,800       1,804       1,701       1,752       1,847       3,604       3,648  
Data processing
    1,758       1,863       2,037       1,690       1,516       3,621       3,003  
Deposit insurance
    166       171       140       147       150       337       250  
State taxes
    344       344       442       432       434       688       894  
Amortization of intangibles
    220       216       205       207       211       436       412  
Other
    8,077       8,122       8,458       7,948       7,815       16,199       15,256  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total noninterest expenses
    33,389       33,244       33,480       35,739       31,817       66,633       63,576  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income taxes
    15,273       14,754       12,218       11,399       15,626       30,027       31,739  
Income tax expense
    4,936       4,806       3,377       3,575       5,016       9,742       10,498  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net earnings
  $ 10,337     $ 9,948     $ 8,841     $ 7,824     $ 10,610     $ 20,285     $ 21,241  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
ADDITIONAL DATA — FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST INCOME
                                                       
Interest income
  $ 50,126     $ 50,823     $ 49,055     $ 52,148     $ 53,335     $ 100,949     $ 107,086  
Tax equivalent adjustment
    819       860       885       900       918       1,679       1,856  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest income — tax equivalent
    50,945       51,683       49,940       53,048       54,253       102,628       108,942  
Interest expense
    14,126       14,666       14,962       15,775       16,156       28,792       32,671  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income — tax equivalent
  $ 36,819     $ 37,017     $ 34,978     $ 37,273     $ 38,097     $ 73,836     $ 76,271  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

                         
    Jun. 30,   Dec. 31,   Jun. 30,
    2004
  2003
  2003
ASSETS
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 142,307     $ 183,612     $ 170,491  
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
    3,534       5,014       3,053  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
    419       607       1,155  
Investment securities, held-to-maturity
    13,090       18,399       20,615  
Investment securities, available-for-sale
    728,016       794,762       742,004  
Loans
                       
Commercial
    677,355       666,315       697,975  
Real estate-construction
    79,386       73,260       74,456  
Real estate-mortgage
    1,535,508       1,466,153       1,465,999  
Installment
    579,010       560,061       556,322  
Credit card
    20,694       21,680       20,294  
Lease financing
    8,729       12,241       16,460  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total loans
    2,900,682       2,799,710       2,831,506  
Less
                       
Unearned income
    27       86       226  
Allowance for loan losses
    47,824       47,771       48,876  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net loans
    2,852,831       2,751,853       2,782,404  
Premises and equipment
    60,314       59,050       56,852  
Goodwill
    28,444       27,379       27,379  
Other intangibles
    8,065       7,530       8,675  
Deferred income taxes receivable
    12,075       6,227       5,426  
Other assets
    99,657       101,629       94,350  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Assets
  $ 3,948,752     $ 3,956,062     $ 3,912,404  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
LIABILITIES
                       
Deposits
                       
Noninterest-bearing
  $ 407,107     $ 414,785     $ 434,183  
Interest-bearing
    2,512,545       2,530,880       2,544,196  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total deposits
    2,919,652       2,945,665       2,978,379  
Short-term borrowings
    256,511       258,909       191,709  
Long-term borrowings
    347,526       322,979       325,472  
Junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
    30,930       0       0  
Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trust
    0       30,000       10,000  
Accrued interest and other liabilities
    32,930       32,026       34,761  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Liabilities
    3,587,549       3,589,579       3,540,321  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Common stock
    395,584       395,752       395,896  
Retained earnings
    57,443       50,325       46,867  
Accumulated comprehensive income
    (7,273 )     2,344       7,880  
Restricted stock awards
    (3,865 )     (3,397 )     (5,340 )
Treasury stock, at cost
    (80,686 )     (78,541 )     (73,220 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    361,203       366,483       372,083  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 3,948,752     $ 3,956,062     $ 3,912,404  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
 

ADDITIONAL DATA — RISK BASED CAPITAL

                                         
    Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,   Jun. 30,
    2004
  2004
  2003
  2003
  2003
Tier 1 Capital
  $ 361,597     $ 359,134     $ 358,616     $ 358,292     $ 338,933  
Tier 1 Ratio
    12.98 %     13.19 %     13.20 %     12.92 %     12.50 %
Total Capital
  $ 396,580     $ 393,331     $ 392,735     $ 393,122     $ 373,011  
Total Capital Ratio
    14.24 %     14.45 %     14.46 %     14.18 %     13.76 %
Total Risk-Adjusted Assets
  $ 2,785,789     $ 2,722,261     $ 2,715,858     $ 2,772,571     $ 2,711,426  
Leverage Ratio
    9.33 %     9.30 %     9.30 %     9.28 %     8.90 %

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

                                                         
    Quarterly Averages
  Year-to-Date Averages
June 30,
    Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,   Jun. 30,  
    2004
  2004
  2003
  2003
  2003
  2004
  2003
ASSETS
                                                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 115,009     $ 114,977     $ 117,810     $ 129,005     $ 127,405     $ 114,993     $ 133,842  
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
    10,422       7,588       9,252       5,671       7,235       9,005       8,259  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
    3,405       4,691       4,307       10,174       6,384       4,048       18,851  
Investment securities
    767,667       799,823       798,727       778,365       747,090       783,745       699,121  
Loans
                                                       
Commercial
    667,796       669,188       658,205       695,980       700,439       668,492       700,861  
Real estate-construction
    77,963       76,193       68,621       69,072       77,879       77,078       82,149  
Real estate-mortgage
    1,520,659       1,488,463       1,480,587       1,469,535       1,443,940       1,504,561       1,416,288  
Installment
    562,990       554,374       564,684       559,600       552,301       558,682       550,992  
Credit card
    20,134       20,274       20,402       20,169       20,077       20,204       20,383  
Lease financing
    9,538       11,284       13,276       15,405       17,488       10,411       18,693  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total loans
    2,859,080       2,819,776       2,805,775       2,829,761       2,812,124       2,839,428       2,789,366  
Less
                                                       
Unearned income
    37       65       108       179       276       51       330  
Allowance for loan losses
    47,873       47,877       48,754       48,849       48,168       47,875       48,395  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net loans
    2,811,170       2,771,834       2,756,913       2,780,733       2,763,680       2,791,502       2,740,641  
Premises and equipment
    60,155       59,271       58,863       57,825       56,675       59,713       56,572  
Deferred income tax
    8,374       5,570       8,457       7,969       5,555       6,972       4,761  
Other assets
    131,364       131,146       131,683       124,684       127,227       131,255       124,256  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Assets
  $ 3,907,566     $ 3,894,900     $ 3,886,012     $ 3,894,426     $ 3,841,251     $ 3,901,233     $ 3,786,303  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
LIABILITIES
                                                       
Deposits
                                                       
Interest-bearing
  $ 167,560     $ 193,256     $ 182,501     $ 212,102     $ 165,275       180,408       231,550  
Savings
    1,057,305       1,030,709       1,046,180       1,023,110       1,001,121       1,044,007       926,409  
Time
    1,289,329       1,306,947       1,325,253       1,357,171       1,370,081       1,298,138       1,354,221  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest-bearing deposits
    2,514,194       2,530,912       2,553,934       2,592,383       2,536,477       2,522,553       2,512,180  
Noninterest-bearing
    405,098       395,894       399,611       392,862       406,730       400,496       411,749  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total deposits
    2,919,292       2,926,806       2,953,545       2,985,245       2,943,207       2,923,049       2,923,929  
Borrowed funds
                                                       
Short-term borrowings
    215,124       209,166       193,390       161,742       157,965       212,145       130,291  
Long-term borrowings
    349,586       333,214       323,562       325,083       323,766       341,400       315,822  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total borrowed funds
    564,710       542,380       516,952       486,825       481,731       553,545       446,113  
Junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
    30,930       30,930       0       0       0       30,930       0  
Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trust
    0       0       30,000       26,956       10,000       0       10,000  
Accrued interest and other liabilities
    28,060       27,156       20,862       28,422       35,094       27,608       33,542  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Liabilities
    3,542,992       3,527,272       3,521,359       3,527,448       3,470,032       3,535,132       3,413,584  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                                       
Common stock
    395,586       395,648       395,808       395,894       395,916       395,617       395,974  
Retained earnings
    53,999       51,165       47,534       48,022       43,281       52,582       41,093  
Accumulated comprehensive income
    (1,199 )     3,311       2,587       3,680       7,501       1,056       7,938  
Restricted stock awards
    (4,124 )     (4,220 )     (3,619 )     (4,969 )     (5,613 )     (4,172 )     (5,619 )
Treasury stock, at cost
    (79,688 )     (78,276 )     (77,657 )     (75,649 )     (69,866 )     (78,982 )     (66,667 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    364,574       367,628       364,653       366,978       371,219       366,101       372,719  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 3,907,566     $ 3,894,900     $ 3,886,012     $ 3,894,426     $ 3,841,251     $ 3,901,233     $ 3,786,303