EXHIBIT 99.1

News                       News                       News                       News                       News                       News


(FIRST FINANCIAL LOGO)

October 20, 2004

First Financial Bancorp Reports Third-Quarter Earnings

    Year-to-date earnings per share up 9.23 percent

    Credit quality continues improvement

    Heritage Community Bank to merge into First Financial Bank

HAMILTON, Ohio – First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) chairman of the board, Bruce E. Leep, and president and chief executive officer, Claude E. Davis, today announced third-quarter 2004 earnings of $10,824,000 or 25 cents in diluted earnings per share, compared to $7,824,000 or 18 cents in diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2003, a 38.89 percent increase in earnings per share. Bancorp also announced year-to-date earnings of $31,109,000 or 71 cents in diluted earnings per share, compared to $29,065,000 or 65 cents in diluted earnings per share for the same period in 2003. This represents a 9.23 percent increase in year-to-date earnings per share.

Return on average assets for the third quarter was 1.09 percent for 2004, compared to 0.80 percent for the same period in 2003. Return on average shareholders’ equity was 11.81 percent for the third quarter of 2004, versus 8.46 percent for the comparable period in 2003. Year-to-date return on assets was 1.06 percent, compared to 1.02 percent in 2003, while return on average shareholders’ equity was 11.37 percent versus 10.48 percent. Bancorp continues to maintain strong capital with a third-quarter 2004 average equity to assets ratio of 9.27 percent.

“Third quarter earnings were in line with expectations,” Leep said. “Net interest income remained stable and credit quality continued to improve. The fundamentals of Bancorp’s financials have stabilized, providing a solid base for our new CEO, Claude Davis, who joined us on October 1, 2004.”


 

Davis said, “I continue to be excited about the opportunities at Bancorp. I have already begun the process of working with the staff and the board on a strategy to improve profitability and serve all of our stakeholders in an exceptional way.”

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

Regionalization Update:

Bancorp expects to complete its original plan for regionalization in the first quarter of 2005. Subject to regulatory approval, the plan calls for the merger of Citizens First State Bank and Fidelity Federal Savings Bank into Community First Bank & Trust, headquartered in Celina, Ohio.

Additionally, Bancorp plans to merge its Columbus, Indiana-headquartered Heritage Community Bank affiliate into First Financial Bank, headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio. Subject to regulatory approval, this merger is expected to occur in the first half of 2005. While this was not included in Bancorp’s original plan for regionalization, Bancorp has recently concluded that such a merger is the best strategic direction for the affiliates serving the contiguous markets of southeastern Indiana, southwestern Ohio, and northern Kentucky. Bancorp’s current plan is to operate three regional financial institutions: First Financial Bank, Sand Ridge Bank, and Community First Bank & Trust. The approximate asset size and the region served by each of these banks will be as follows: First Financial Bank with $2 billion serving southeastern Indiana, southwestern Ohio, and northern Kentucky; Sand Ridge Bank with $881 million serving northwestern Indiana and southern Michigan; and Community First Bank & Trust with $1.1 billion serving northeastern Indiana and northwestern Ohio.

Bancorp expects the non-recurring costs associated with the merger of Heritage Community Bank into First Financial Bank to be two cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2004. Resulting annual savings are expected to be one to two cents per share fully realized in 2005. With the departure of the CEO of Heritage Community Bank, in September of this year, C. Douglas Lefferson, First Financial Bancorp senior vice president and chief financial officer and Heritage Community Bank board chairman, has been the interim CEO for Heritage.

Net Interest Income:

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2004 was $36.2 million, compared to $36.4 million in the third quarter of 2003, a decline of 0.47 percent or $172,000. Net interest income on a linked-quarter basis (third quarter 2004 compared to second quarter 2004) remained relatively stable, increasing by $201,000

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or 0.56 percent. Net interest income for 2004 on a year-to-date basis decreased $2.4 million or 2.19 percent from the comparable period in 2003. Bancorp’s net interest margin decreased to 3.93 percent in the third quarter of 2004 from 3.98 percent in the third quarter of 2003. Year-to-date net interest margin was 3.97 percent compared to 4.17 percent in 2003. Linked-quarter net interest margin has decreased 5 basis points from 3.98 percent to 3.93 due to the strategic decision to lengthen the maturities of interest-bearing liabilities in a relatively low interest rate environment.

Average total loans for the third quarter of 2004 increased 3.21 percent and year-to-date average total loans net of unearned income increased 2.28 percent from the comparable period a year ago. This increase was achieved even though Bancorp sold approximately $46 million in loan balances through branch sales, a distressed loan portfolio sale, and a mobile home loan portfolio sale since the third quarter of 2003. Primarily, loan growth has been centered in the commercial real estate category as demand improved primarily in the southwestern Ohio market. On a linked-quarter basis, average outstanding loan balances were 2.15 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 third quarter decreased $57.9 million or 1.94 percent and year-to-date average deposits were relatively flat from the comparable period a year ago. Since the third quarter of 2003, deposit balances have been impacted by the sale of two banking centers that reduced deposit balances by $48 million. Bancorp also opened three new banking centers in growing markets — two in the fourth quarter of 2003 and one in the second quarter of 2004. Construction is underway for two new offices expected to open in December 2004. Bancorp continues to evaluate its branch network for opportunities to better position itself for both growth and service.

Credit Quality:

The provision for loan loss expense for the third quarter of 2004 was $2.1 million compared to $4.4 million for the same period in 2003. Net charge-offs of $1.3 million for the third quarter were $3.2 million less than the $4.6 million in net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2003. Year-to-date provision expense was $6.9 million or $4.6 million less than 2003. Year-to-date net charge-offs were $6.1 million in 2004, down $4.9 million from the $11.0 million recorded in 2003. Decreases in commercial loans charged-off and continued strong recoveries on commercial and consumer loans positively impacted net charge-offs for both the third quarter and year-to-date. The percentage of net charge-offs to average loans for the third quarter of 2004 was 0.18 percent compared to 0.64 percent for the same period in 2003. The percentage of net charge-offs to average loans was 0.29 percent for year-to-date 2004, compared to 0.53 percent for the same period in 2003.

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Bancorp continued to maintain appropriate reserves with an allowance to ending loans ratio of 1.66 percent at quarter end versus 1.73 percent for the same quarter a year ago. It is management’s belief that the allowance for loan losses of $48.6 million is adequate to absorb inherent credit losses. The nonperforming assets to ending loans ratio decreased to 0.93 percent as of September 30, 2004, from 1.34 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2003.

Total nonperforming assets — which includes nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, and other real estate owned — decreased 28.14 percent to $27.3 million at the end of the third quarter of 2004 from $38.0 million at September 30, 2003. Nonaccrual loans decreased $6.2 million, and restructured loans decreased $4.2 million. Other real estate owned remained relatively constant, decreasing by $323,000.

Loans delinquent over 90 days decreased 64.97 percent to $1.1 million at the end of the third quarter of 2004 from $3.2 million at the end of the third quarter of 2003.

On a linked-quarter basis, total nonperforming assets decreased $596,000 or 2.14 percent.

Bancorp’s level of nonperforming assets has improved over the last several quarters. This improvement in credit quality was positively influenced by signs of economic recovery, strategies such as the fourth-quarter 2003 distressed loan sale, and improved credit risk and risk management 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:

Third-quarter 2004 noninterest income was $16.0 million, an increase of 5.86 percent from the third quarter of 2003. Service charge income decreased $64,000 or 1.28 percent from the same quarter a year ago, largely due to the sale of $48 million in retail deposit balances since the third quarter of 2003. Trust revenues for the third quarter of 2004 increased 4.17 percent or $151,000 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 $836,000 or 12.87 percent from a year ago. Included in other noninterest income for the third quarter of 2004 was the recapture of impairment charges on the mortgage-servicing assets of approximately $256,000 compared to an impairment charge of $1,072,000 in 2003, a net change of $1,328,000. Gains on the sale of mortgage loans were $424,000 for the third quarter of 2004 versus $2.0 million for the comparable period in 2003, a change of $1.6 million. Included in the third quarter of 2004 was an approximately $750,000 gain on sale of the Kewanna office of Indiana Lawrence Bank versus an approximately $1 million gain on the sale of the Chickasaw office of Community First Bank &

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Trust in the same quarter of 2003. Also included in the increase was an improvement in brokerage income, income from the life insurance asset, the insurance line of business, and debit card interchange income.

Year-to-date noninterest income increased 5.04 percent to $45.4 million 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 $943,000 in 2004, compared with impairment charges of $1.7 million in 2003, a net change of $2.6 million. This positive change was also offset on a year-to-date basis by a decrease in gains on the sale of mortgage loans from $4.5 million in 2003 to $1.1 million in 2004.

Noninterest Expense:

Total noninterest expense decreased $1.3 million or 3.63 percent for the third quarter of 2004 from the third quarter of 2003. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $2.2 million or 10.03 percent due to the $3.1 million Separation Agreement and Release charge in the third quarter of 2003 for former CEO, Stanley N. Pontius. The decrease was partially offset by other severance charges in the third quarter of 2004 of approximately $300,000. Net occupancy expenses for the third quarter of 2004 increased $220,000 or 11.59 percent as a result of increased building rent, depreciation, and related expenses. Data processing expense for the quarter increased $83,000 or 4.91 percent.

Year-to-date noninterest expense for 2004 was $1.8 million or 1.77 percent more than 2003 as a result of higher salaries and employee benefits, net occupancy expenses, data processing, and other expense. Other noninterest expense on a 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 for Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 internal control documentation and testing, and the search for the chief executive officer.

Other Items:

Bancorp repurchased 110,999 shares of its common stock during the third quarter of 2004 under a previously approved and ongoing program for general corporate purposes.

A $4.0 billion publicly owned bank holding company with over 4,000 shareholders, First Financial Bancorp currently operates 6 banking affiliates with a total of 106 retail banking centers in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Indiana, as well as an investment-advisor affiliate and an operations affiliate. Insurance services are offered through Flagstone Insurance and Financial Services.

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     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 thousands, except per share)
(Unaudited)

                                                         
                    Three months ended                   Nine months ended
    Sep. 30,   Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,   September 30,
    2004
  2004
  2004
  2003
  2003
  2004
  2003
EARNINGS
                                                       
Net interest income
  $ 36,201     $ 36,000     $ 36,157     $ 34,093     $ 36,373     $ 108,358     $ 110,788  
Net earnings
    10,824       10,337       9,948       8,841       7,824       31,109       29,065  
Net earnings per share — basic
  $ 0.25     $ 0.24     $ 0.23     $ 0.20     $ 0.18     $ 0.71     $ 0.65  
Net earnings per share — diluted
  $ 0.25     $ 0.24     $ 0.23     $ 0.20     $ 0.18     $ 0.71     $ 0.65  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
KEY RATIOS
                                                       
Return on average assets
    1.09 %     1.06 %     1.03 %     0.90 %     0.80 %     1.06 %     1.02 %
Return on average shareholders’ equity
    11.81 %     11.40 %     10.88 %     9.62 %     8.46 %     11.37 %     10.48 %
Average shareholders’ equity to average assets
    9.27 %     9.33 %     9.44 %     9.38 %     9.42 %     9.35 %     9.70 %
Net interest margin
    3.93 %     3.98 %     4.00 %     3.74 %     3.98 %     3.97 %     4.17 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)
    4.02 %     4.07 %     4.10 %     3.84 %     4.08 %     4.06 %     4.27 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
COMMON STOCK DATA
                                                       
Average basic shares outstanding
    43,750,598       43,868,314       43,924,139       43,993,558       44,122,446       43,855,706       44,498,086  
Average diluted shares outstanding
    43,817,398       43,951,016       43,967,599       44,012,803       44,160,906       43,920,027       44,573,629  
Ending shares outstanding
    43,695,439       43,810,651       43,924,139       43,939,018       44,049,702       43,695,439       44,049,702  
Market price:
                                                       
High
  $ 18.78     $ 18.47     $ 18.82     $ 16.92     $ 16.60     $ 18.82     $ 17.19  
Low
  $ 16.71     $ 15.61     $ 16.29     $ 15.14     $ 14.67     $ 15.61     $ 14.67  
Close
  $ 17.08     $ 17.72     $ 18.50     $ 15.95     $ 14.75     $ 17.08     $ 14.75  
Book value
  $ 8.50     $ 8.24     $ 8.44     $ 8.34     $ 8.34     $ 8.50     $ 8.34  
Common dividend declared
  $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.45     $ 0.45  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
                                                       
Loans less unearned income
  $ 2,920,472     $ 2,859,043     $ 2,819,711     $ 2,805,667     $ 2,829,582     $ 2,866,606     $ 2,802,700  
Investment securities
    729,627       767,667       799,823       798,727       778,365       765,574       725,826  
Other earning assets
    9,818       13,827       12,279       13,559       15,845       11,967       23,314  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total earning assets
    3,659,917       3,640,537       3,631,813       3,617,953       3,623,792       3,644,147       3,551,840  
Total assets
    3,932,743       3,907,566       3,894,900       3,886,012       3,894,426       3,911,813       3,822,740  
Noninterest-bearing deposits
    409,237       405,098       395,894       399,611       392,862       403,431       405,384  
Interest-bearing deposits
    2,518,080       2,514,194       2,530,912       2,553,934       2,592,383       2,521,051       2,539,208  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total deposits
    2,927,317       2,919,292       2,926,806       2,953,545       2,985,245       2,924,482       2,944,592  
Borrowings
    585,529       564,710       542,380       516,952       486,825       564,284       459,833  
Shareholders’ equity
    364,495       364,574       367,628       364,653       366,978       365,562       370,784  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
CREDIT QUALITY
                                                       
Ending allowance for loan losses
  $ 48,590     $ 47,824     $ 47,672     $ 47,771     $ 48,680     $ 48,590     $ 48,680  
Nonperforming assets:
                                                       
Nonaccrual
    22,203       22,723       26,586       25,980       28,374       22,203       28,374  
Restructured
    2,344       2,936       3,373       3,821       6,532       2,344       6,532  
OREO
    2,731       2,215       3,070       3,207       3,054       2,731       3,054  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total nonperforming assets
    27,278       27,874       33,029       33,008       37,960       27,278       37,960  
Loans delinquent over 90 days
    1,116       721       1,345       1,872       3,186       1,116       3,186  
Gross charge-offs:
                                                       
Commercial real estate
    (166 )     (105 )     (631 )     (3,377 )     (300 )     (902 )     (836 )
Commercial loans and leases
    (429 )     (560 )     (1,036 )     (3,650 )     (2,771 )     (2,025 )     (6,270 )
Consumer
    (1,507 )     (2,622 )     (2,588 )     (2,447 )     (2,351 )     (6,717 )     (6,662 )
All other
    (22 )     (2 )     (27 )     (8 )     (38 )     (51 )     (56 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total gross charge-offs
    (2,124 )     (3,289 )     (4,282 )     (9,482 )     (5,460 )     (9,695 )     (13,824 )
Recoveries:
                                                       
Commercial real estate
    10       0       34       83       5       44       55  
Commercial loans and leases
    213       467       538       561       316       1,218       977  
Consumer
    553       723       1,011       498       576       2,287       1,771  
All other
    17       8       0       9       3       25       4  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total recoveries
    793       1,198       1,583       1,151       900       3,574       2,807  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total net charge-offs
    (1,331 )     (2,091 )     (2,699 )     (8,331 )     (4,560 )     (6,121 )     (11,017 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
                                                       
Allowance to ending loans, net of unearned income
    1.66 %     1.65 %     1.68 %     1.71 %     1.73 %     1.66 %     1.73 %
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, net of unearned income plus OREO
    0.93 %     0.96 %     1.16 %     1.18 %     1.34 %     0.93 %     1.34 %
90 days past due to loans, net of unearned income
    0.04 %     0.02 %     0.05 %     0.07 %     0.11 %     0.04 %     0.11 %
Net charge-offs to average loans, net of unearned income
    0.18 %     0.29 %     0.38 %     1.18 %     0.64 %     0.29 %     0.53 %

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

                                                         
    Three months ended,   Nine months ended,
    Sep. 30,   Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,   September 30,
    2004
  2004
  2004
  2003
  2003
  2004
  2003
Interest income
                                                       
Loans, including fees
  $ 43,687     $ 42,461     $ 42,522     $ 41,393     $ 45,256     $ 128,670     $ 138,378  
Investment securities Taxable
    6,106       6,241       6,813       6,060       5,263       19,160       15,741  
Tax-exempt
    1,321       1,381       1,449       1,555       1,579       4,151       4,875  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total investment securities interest
    7,427       7,622       8,262       7,615       6,842       23,311       20,616  
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
    22       34       28       36       26       84       105  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
    15       9       11       11       24       35       135  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest income
    51,151       50,126       50,823       49,055       52,148       152,100       159,234  
Interest expense Deposits
    9,504       9,037       9,662       10,214       10,692       28,203       34,172  
Short-term borrowings
    793       526       499       471       443       1,818       1,353  
Long-term borrowings
    4,274       4,226       4,163       4,130       4,161       12,663       12,204  
Subordinated debentures and capital securities
    379       337       342       147       479       1,058       717  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest expense
    14,950       14,126       14,666       14,962       15,775       43,742       48,446  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income
    36,201       36,000       36,157       34,093       36,373       108,358       110,788  
Provision for loan losses
    2,097       2,243       2,600       7,422       4,364       6,940       11,520  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    34,104       33,757       33,557       26,671       32,009       101,418       99,268  
Noninterest income Service charges on deposit accounts
    4,920       4,794       4,613       4,917       4,984       14,327       14,505  
Trust revenues
    3,774       4,030       3,892       3,648       3,623       11,696       10,852  
Investment securities gains (losses)
    (8 )     (1 )     (2 )     4       28       (11 )     20  
Other
    7,330       6,082       5,938       10,458       6,494       19,350       17,808  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total noninterest income
    16,016       14,905       14,441       19,027       15,129       45,362       43,185  
Noninterest expenses Salaries and employee benefits
    19,491       19,056       18,519       18,625       21,664       57,066       57,883  
Net occupancy
    2,119       1,968       2,205       1,872       1,899       6,292       5,793  
Furniture and equipment
    1,782       1,800       1,804       1,701       1,752       5,386       5,400  
Data processing
    1,773       1,758       1,863       2,037       1,690       5,394       4,693  
Deposit insurance
    119       166       171       140       147       456       397  
State taxes
    368       344       344       442       432       1,056       1,326  
Amortization of intangibles
    220       220       216       205       207       656       619  
Other
    8,570       8,077       8,122       8,458       7,948       24,769       23,204  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total noninterest expenses
    34,442       33,389       33,244       33,480       35,739       101,075       99,315  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income taxes
    15,678       15,273       14,754       12,218       11,399       45,705       43,138  
Income tax expense
    4,854       4,936       4,806       3,377       3,575       14,596       14,073  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net earnings
  $ 10,824     $ 10,337     $ 9,948     $ 8,841     $ 7,824     $ 31,109     $ 29,065  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
                                                         
ADDITIONAL DATA — FULLY TAX EQUIVALENT NET INTEREST INCOME
Interest income
  $ 51,151     $ 50,126     $ 50,823     $ 49,055     $ 52,148     $ 152,100     $ 159,234  
Tax equivalent adjustment
    778       819       860       885       900       2,457       2,756  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Interest income — tax equivalent
    51,929       50,945       51,683       49,940       53,048       154,557       161,990  
Interest expense
    14,950       14,126       14,666       14,962       15,775       43,742       48,446  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net interest income — tax equivalent
  $ 36,979     $ 36,819     $ 37,017     $ 34,978     $ 37,273     $ 110,815     $ 113,544  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

                         
    Sep. 30,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,
    2004
  2003
  2003
ASSETS
                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 167,833     $ 183,612     $ 159,185  
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
    5,444       5,014       4,336  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
    577       607       15,904  
Investment securities, held-to-maturity
    13,515       18,399       18,700  
Investment securities, available-for-sale
    693,255       794,762       774,813  
Loans
                       
Commercial
    665,149       666,315       681,045  
Real estate-construction
    88,229       73,260       68,472  
Real estate-mortgage
    1,536,333       1,466,153       1,472,607  
Installment
    603,152       560,061       563,941  
Credit card
    20,458       21,680       20,189  
Lease financing
    6,718       12,241       14,574  
 
   
   
 
Total loans
    2,920,039       2,799,710       2,820,828  
Less
                       
Unearned income
    13       86       138  
Allowance for loan losses
    48,590       47,771       48,680  
 
   
   
 
Net loans
    2,871,436       2,751,853       2,772,010  
Premises and equipment
    63,304       59,050       58,068  
Goodwill
    28,444       27,379       27,379  
Other intangibles
    8,450       7,530       8,183  
Deferred income taxes receivable
    7,666       6,227       8,633  
Other assets
    104,409       101,629       100,922  
 
   
   
 
Total Assets
  $ 3,964,333     $ 3,956,062     $ 3,948,133  
 
   
   
 
LIABILITIES
                       
Deposits
                       
Noninterest-bearing
  $ 422,594     $ 414,785     $ 402,571  
Interest-bearing
    2,505,585       2,530,880       2,571,069  
 
   
   
 
Total deposits
    2,928,179       2,945,665       2,973,640  
Short-term borrowings
    244,163       258,909       223,472  
Long-term borrowings
    357,950       322,979       324,863  
Junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
    30,930       0       0  
Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trust
    0       30,000       30,000  
Accrued interest and other liabilities
    31,759       32,026       30,092  
 
   
   
 
Total Liabilities
    3,592,981       3,589,579       3,582,067  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                       
Common stock
    395,580       395,752       395,888  
Retained earnings
    61,647       50,325       48,078  
Accumulated comprehensive income
    180       2,344       2,714  
Restricted stock awards
    (3,346 )     (3,397 )     (3,849 )
Treasury stock, at cost
    (82,709 )     (78,541 )     (76,765 )
 
   
   
 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    371,352       366,483       366,066  
 
   
   
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 3,964,333     $ 3,956,062     $ 3,948,133  
 
   
   
 

ADDITIONAL DATA — RISK BASED CAPITAL

                                         
    Sep. 30,   Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,
    2004
  2004
  2004
  2003
  2003
Tier 1 Capital
  $ 364,529     $ 361,597     $ 359,134     $ 358,616     $ 358,292  
Tier 1 Ratio
    13.24 %     12.98 %     13.19 %     13.20 %     12.92 %
Total Capital
  $ 399,108     $ 396,580     $ 393,331     $ 392,735     $ 393,122  
Total Capital Ratio
    14.50 %     14.24 %     14.45 %     14.46 %     14.18 %
Total Risk-Adjusted Assets
  $ 2,752,339     $ 2,785,789     $ 2,722,261     $ 2,715,858     $ 2,772,571  
Leverage Ratio
    9.35 %     9.33 %     9.30 %     9.30 %     9.28 %

 


 

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITIONS

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

                                                         
                    Quarterly Averages                   Year-to-Date Averages
    Sep. 30,   Jun. 30,   Mar. 31,   Dec. 31,   Sep. 30,   September 30,
    2004
  2004
  2004
  2003
  2003
  2004
2003
 
ASSETS
                                                       
Cash and due from banks
  $ 120,166     $ 115,009     $ 114,977     $ 117,810     $ 129,005     $ 116,730     $ 132,212  
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
    5,124       10,422       7,588       9,252       5,671       7,702       7,387  
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
    4,694       3,405       4,691       4,307       10,174       4,265       15,927  
Investment securities
    729,627       767,667       799,823       798,727       778,365       765,574       725,826  
Loans
                                                       
Commercial
    652,874       667,796       669,188       658,205       695,980       663,248       699,216  
Real estate-construction
    88,056       77,963       76,193       68,621       69,072       80,764       77,742  
Real estate-mortgage
    1,556,555       1,520,659       1,488,463       1,480,587       1,469,535       1,522,019       1,434,232  
Installment
    594,796       562,990       554,374       564,684       559,600       570,808       553,893  
Credit card
    20,493       20,134       20,274       20,402       20,169       20,301       20,311  
Lease financing
    7,716       9,538       11,284       13,276       15,405       9,506       17,585  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total loans
    2,920,490       2,859,080       2,819,776       2,805,775       2,829,761       2,866,646       2,802,979  
Less
                                                       
Unearned income
    18       37       65       108       179       40       279  
Allowance for loan losses
    48,220       47,873       47,877       48,754       48,849       47,991       48,548  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net loans
    2,872,252       2,811,170       2,771,834       2,756,913       2,780,733       2,818,615       2,754,152  
Premises and equipment
    61,750       60,155       59,271       58,863       57,825       60,397       56,994  
Deferred income tax
    10,183       8,374       5,570       8,457       7,969       8,050       5,842  
Other assets
    128,947       131,364       131,146       131,683       124,684       130,480       124,400  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Assets
  $ 3,932,743     $ 3,907,566     $ 3,894,900     $ 3,886,012     $ 3,894,426     $ 3,911,813     $ 3,822,740  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
LIABILITIES
                                                       
Deposits
                                                       
Interest-bearing
  $ 160,728     $ 167,560     $ 193,256     $ 182,501     $ 212,102       173,800       224,996  
Savings
    1,072,417       1,057,305       1,030,709       1,046,180       1,023,110       1,053,546       958,997  
Time
    1,284,935       1,289,329       1,306,947       1,325,253       1,357,171       1,293,705       1,355,215  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total interest-bearing deposits
    2,518,080       2,514,194       2,530,912       2,553,934       2,592,383       2,521,051       2,539,208  
Noninterest-bearing
    409,237       405,098       395,894       399,611       392,862       403,431       405,384  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total deposits
    2,927,317       2,919,292       2,926,806       2,953,545       2,985,245       2,924,482       2,944,592  
Borrowed funds
                                                       
Short-term borrowings
    234,622       215,124       209,166       193,390       161,742       219,692       140,890  
Long-term borrowings
    350,907       349,586       333,214       323,562       325,083       344,592       318,943  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total borrowed funds
    585,529       564,710       542,380       516,952       486,825       564,284       459,833  
Junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts
    30,930       30,930       30,930       0       0       30,930       0  
Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trust
    0       0       0       30,000       26,956       0       15,714  
Accrued interest and other liabilities
    24,472       28,060       27,156       20,862       28,422       26,555       31,817  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Liabilities
    3,568,248       3,542,992       3,527,272       3,521,359       3,527,448       3,546,251       3,451,956  
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                                       
Common stock
    395,581       395,586       395,648       395,808       395,894       395,605       395,947  
Retained earnings
    58,598       53,999       51,165       47,534       48,022       54,602       43,428  
Accumulated comprehensive income
    (4,317 )     (1,199 )     3,311       2,587       3,680       (748 )     6,503  
Restricted stock awards
    (3,636 )     (4,124 )     (4,220 )     (3,619 )     (4,969 )     (3,992 )     (5,400 )
Treasury stock, at cost
    (81,731 )     (79,688 )     (78,276 )     (77,657 )     (75,649 )     (79,905 )     (69,694 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Shareholders’ Equity
    364,495       364,574       367,628       364,653       366,978       365,562       370,784  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $ 3,932,743     $ 3,907,566     $ 3,894,900     $ 3,886,012     $ 3,894,426     $ 3,911,813     $ 3,822,740