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Exhibit 13

2007 Annual Report

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What is success?

Each of us defines success differently.

Our needs and goals are different.

For some people success is a lofty, distant future.

For others, it is immediate and reachable.

Success for us at First Financial Bank is helping our clients, associates, shareholders and communities achieve their individual success.

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$645,000

At First Financial Bank, much care and thought was given in determining the best allocation of $645,000 in charitable contributions during 2007. We have chosen three target areas — economic development, education, and neighborhood development. These are segments in which our expertise is high, resulting in more impact from both our financial support and our employees’ significant volunteer activities.

Alexis Acoff, Martasha Colvin (center) and Kayla Wilson

2 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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“Success for me would be .”

Martasha Colvin is the teen center advisor at the LeBlond Club of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. Growing up, she heard about the Club from her cousins and friends who were members. Today, she is passionate about helping young girls at the club to recognize their gifts, set goals, strive for their dreams, stay in school, and reach their full potential.

Martasha teaches a course in money management, helps kids with computer skills, and works with them to develop job readiness. But her special gift is empathy — listening when young people are troubled and helping them find a way to persevere and not give up.

In 2007, First Financial pledged $100,000 over four years in a new partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati which serves over 11,000 young people in disadvantaged areas. The teens under Martasha’s guidance do homework every day before they go swimming, play basketball, exercise, and enjoy a hot dinner together. In the summer, they volunteer in the neighborhood, go on field trips, mentor younger Club members, and job shadow with local professionals.

The bank’s hope is to help an already strong organization create even more success for its members. One aspect of the new partnership with the organization is recruiting bank associates to inspire these young people to learn about managing money and encourage them to pursue educational opportunities.

First Financial can’t guarantee that Martasha’s influence will be just what every teen at the Club needs, but we can be part of the support system that keeps her efforts going.

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 3

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“Success for me would be .”

When Tim Dora’s wife asks him why he keeps on pursuing new hotel partnerships, he has an easy answer: “Because it’s fun!”

Fifty years ago, Tim’s late father opened the Covered Wagon Lodge in Vincennes, Indiana. He probably didn’t realize that event would become the cornerstone of a rich tradition of Dora family participation in the hospitality industry.

Today, Tim is involved in 25 hotels and is the general partner in Dora Brothers Hospitality Corporation. His company has hotels operating under such premier names as Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites, and Holiday Inn Express.

One of his recent efforts was the re-construction of an apartment complex into Charwood Corporate Lodging, an extended-stay hotel in Columbus, Indiana. Financed by First Financial Bank, Charwood offers corporate travelers all the comfort, convenience, and privacy of home.

By designing treasury-management services just for this client, First Financial Bank has become an integral part of the hotel owner’s success. Every morning, First Financial provides a customized report with certain account data that helps Tim’s company with its accounting.

Tim likes that First Financial is big enough to meet his capital needs as well as offer the sophisticated services his complex holdings demand. But he also appreciates that the bank is small enough to allow him to develop strong relationships with bank associates like Steve Gochenour and Renee Gorbett. They know Tim and his business so well that it doesn’t take much time to get things done when he approaches them with a new venture.

We can’t be sure that Tim will still be having fun a year from now, but we can anticipate that First Financial will still be a partner in his success.

4 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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17.5%

First Financial experienced growth in commercial, commercial real estate, and construction loans of 17.5 percent in 2007. This growth was primarily driven by continued efforts to expand the bank’s commercial lending sales force and deepen its market presence. Our future growth is likely to come from a combination of metropolitan and non-metropolitan markets.

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 5

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21,752

In addition to basic services, First Financial Bank also offers its 21,752 commercial clients a host of contemporary and sophisticated products. Because it can be done anywhere at anytime, Internet banking is very popular with clients. Statements are available online or on CD-ROM, and automated account reconciliation helps reduce expenses and increase efficiency. Remote capture, lockbox collection services, as well as Positive Pay service are all available to our clients to help mitigate risk.

Stacia Coplin, Ollie Adams (center), and Wyatt Young

6 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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“Success for me would be

On November 10, 2002, Ollie Adams seriously wondered whether KAM Manufacturing would ever be able to put the pieces back together. A savage tornado had torn through the Van Wert, Ohio area, laying waste to KAM’s 20,000 square-foot facility and the vast majority of its equipment. Only half of the company’s 126 sewing machines were found and of those, exactly six were salvageable.

Ollie’s mother Kim had started the company in the family’s garage in 1983, sewing for a prominent national handbag company. In 1988, our bank helped her with financing to move the company to Van Wert. After the tornado, the bank was an important partner in putting the pieces back together.

Most bank records had literally been blown away. For security purposes, Ollie immediately had the bank close all the company’s accounts. That same day, a bank officer brought documents to Ollie’s home to open new accounts so that KAM would experience minimal financial disruption.

“The bank helped us find state assistance programs to secure low-rate financing for replacement equipment,” said Ollie. “Amazingly, we were back to limited production in two weeks and to full production in a month.” Today, KAM is a growing company with 160 employees, 125 sewing machines, and an output of 6300 handbags daily. Ollie is a strong player in the Van Wert community, and KAM was recently named Small Business of the Year by the local chamber of commerce.

It takes tremendous effort to remain competitive in today’s business environment, but Ollie knows that his banking relationship manager, Linda Cooper, is local and will respond quickly with whatever financial solutions his growing business needs.

We can’t guarantee that Ollie’s company won’t be affected by another natural disaster. But we can promise quick response when help is needed.

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 7

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95 associates

First Financial Bank retains a talented team of 95 financial professionals in the Wealth Resource Group. They design, tailor and coordinate trust services, investment management services, brokerage services, and private banking services for the particular needs of each client. In addition to having depth of experience, the team represents a broad base of disciplines — attorneys, CPAs, chartered financial analysts, certified retirement planning specialists, and other key credentialed professionals to help clients plan a secure and successful financial future.

8 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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“Success for us would be

When Pat and Donna Carruthers look at their twin grandchildren, Rogue and Elizabeth, they are pleased to know there’s a plan in place which not only preserves assets for the children but also allows for the continuation of their charitable giving.

Since 1995, the Carruthers family — Pat, Donna, and their daughter Sara — have been relying on Denny Walsh and Sue Cribbs of First Financial Bank’s Wealth Resource Group to manage their assets. By creating charitable trusts, the bank has helped the family to increase their income while expanding their financial support for many causes in Hamilton, Ohio. With the bank’s assistance in wealth management, estate planning, and tax strategies for each generation of this family, Pat and Donna know that their assets will be passed on with as little tax and probate cost as possible.

The Carruthers have substantially supported the expansion and remodeling projects of the emergency room, the intensive care wing and the catheter lab at Fort Hamilton Hospital. They established the Carruthers Center for Arts and Technology at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts, and they support many other worthy causes that touch the community in a positive way.

There will always be new projects in the Hamilton community that need the largess of the Carruthers family. And they can rely on First Financial for the knowledge, coaching, and guidance that will help them grow and protect the assets that fund their philanthropy.

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 9

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“Success for me would be

Tillie Hidalgo Lima has received dozens of awards since she rebuilt Best Upon Request concierge services, and her acceptance speeches always include her gratitude toward her parents who escaped with her from Cuba when she was a child.

Arriving with only one suitcase and 10 Cuban pesos, Tillie’s parents taught her to have faith, to never give up, to be resourceful, to strive to be the best she can be, and to appreciate that freedom is a privilege and a responsibility.

Tillie also appreciates First Financial Bank for the support she received when her family’s business nearly failed after September 11, 2001. Since then, Best Upon Request has had a 447 percent revenue growth. For corporate and health care clients, the company provides on-site concierge services as an employee benefit. Services include errand running, event and travel planning, information research, home-based help and more.

Both Tillie and her company have won numerous civic and professional awards. She was named one of Deloitte’s One Hundred Wise Women in both 2005 and 2007, and she was honored as a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement this past year. For three consecutive years, her company was named to the Fast 55 list in Cincinnati and was cited in the Business Courier as one of Greater Cincinnati’s Largest 250 Companies.

Today, Tillie maintains a busy schedule with growing her business, but she is also faithful to serving the community and making time to have fun with family and friends.

We can’t assure Tillie that she will receive more external validation, although we think she will. But we can promise to bring her the right solutions for continued success.

10 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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45209

This is the Cincinnati, Ohio, ZIP Code that will be the new home for the headquarters of First Financial Bancorp. Relocating to Cincinnati positions our corporate headquarters in a metropolitan market which is more consistent with our growth strategy. In addition, this move will enable us to attract and retain the talent needed to successfully lead and grow the company.

Our banking subsidiary, First Financial Bank, will continue to be headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio, an important growth market for the company. Hamilton is in Butler County where we have our largest base of banking assets.

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 11

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How does First Financial Bancorp define success? associates. When they are successful in their jobs, achieve their goals, our company grows and prospers

12 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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By the success of all stakeholders. It begins with our our clients benefit. By helping our clients succeed and to the benefit of our shareholders and our communities.

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 13

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Claude E. Davis, President and CEO, First Financial Bancorp

Financial Highlights (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2007 2006 % Change

Per Share Net earnings—basic $ 0.93 $ 0.54 72.22% Net earnings—diluted 0.93 0.54 72.22% Cash dividends declared 0.65 0.64 1.56% Book value (end of year) 7.40 7.27 1.79% Market price (end of year) 11.40 16.61 (31.37%)

Average Total assets $3,310,040 $3,432,661 (3.57%) Deposits 2,828,904 2,877,125 (1.68%) Loans 2,546,898 2,571,935 (0.97%) Investment securities 357,803 407,116 (12.11%) Shareholders’ equity 280,275 298,227 (6.02%)

Ratios Return on average assets 1.08% 0.62% 74.19% Return on average shareholders’ equity 12.73% 7.13% 78.54%

14 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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“Success for me would be ___.”

Every day we help our clients and associates fill in this blank line. And every day we ask this question of ourselves. We evaluate our progress and measure our clients’ satisfaction to understand what we need to do to achieve greater success.

We are pleased with and encouraged by our performance in 2007. It is strong evidence that the hard work of our associates in the implementation of our strategic initiatives is producing positive results. Even in a difficult environment for the banking industry, our performance is at or above peer performance for most financial metrics.

A Look Back. We are seeing the results of some good decisions and actions that have taken place during the last two years of rebuilding and reorganization which is now complete. In 2007, we chose two new strategic partners: one to service our residential real estate portfolio and provide new mortgage origination support and the other to take on our merchant payment processing portfolio.

In addition, we re-tooled the investment management area of our Wealth Resource Group, recruited quality commercial lenders to improve our sales performance, closed seven banking centers, and implemented a new model to reduce our staffing levels.

Here are some highlights of our improved 2007 performance:

- Solid commercial loan growth of 17% over the last 12 months

- Stable credit quality

- Decreasing noninterest expense

- Strong net interest margin

- Sales growth and culture development

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 15

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As we expand and live our brand, we want our client’s experience to be positive and meaningful. To take our clients on this journey, we’ve developed an exciting prototype for new banking centers that will stand out in the industry. The client’s journey focuses on their path to success with simple, smart financial solutions presented by our financial coaches. Visual merchandising as well as engaging retail graphics and design will make our banking center environment come to life. Clients will see and feel the consistency of our branded First Financial banking experience. New banking centers will follow this prototype, and our current facilities will be remodeled and refreshed over the next three years.

A major initiative begins in 2008 with the construction and renovation of banking centers using a new prototype design.

16 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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A Look Forward. In early 2008, we will move our corporate headquarters to Cincinnati, Ohio, a location that is consistent with our plans to expand in metropolitan markets and enhances our opportunity to retain and attract talent to help us manage and grow the company.

Our capital position is strong, and we have a diversified portfolio of earning assets. While economic conditions in 2008 may put stress on both commercial and consumer borrowers, we remain optimistic that our strong credit processes will allow us to manage our risk effectively and capitalize on the opportunities that are sure to present themselves in these unique times. We will continue to work hard to improve and to achieve our long-term goal of being a top-quartile performer in the industry.

Benchmarks On The Path To Success. We knew that 2007 would be a crucial year for First Financial, and we feel that our company finished the year strong and has excellent momentum for the future. The headwinds of further interest rate cuts and a broad economic downturn will provide new challenges for 2008. However, we are confident about our market position and our long-term prospects for growth.

Our success in 2008 will revolve around:

- Managing our risks effectively

- Strengthening our brand

- Focusing on improving service quality for clients

- Client retention and relationship expansion

- Prudent management of expenses

Our growth strategy for 2008 also includes the remodeling of existing banking centers and the construction of several new banking centers. Groundbreaking will soon take place in Kettering, Ohio, and in Crown Point, Indiana.

We will continue to engage in self assessment to discover areas in our company where we needed to break out of old patterns and forge ahead with new methods, ideas, and tools.

Our company is market and people driven. We carry out our mission, live our brand, and apply our values as we help our clients on their path to success.

Claude E. Davis, President and CEO

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 17

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Board of Directors:
Barry S. Porter,
Chairman of the Board,
First Financial Bancorp;
Retired Chief Financial Officer,
The Ohio Casualty Group
J. Wickliffe Ach,
Chairman, President, and
Chief Executive Officer,
Hixson, Inc.
Donald M. Cisle Sr.,
President,
Don S. Cisle Contractor, Inc.
Claude E. Davis,
President and Chief Executive Officer,
First Financial Bancorp;
Chairman of the Board, President,
and Chief Executive Officer
First Financial Bank, N.A.
Corinne R. Finnerty,
Partner,
McConnell Finnerty Waggoner PC
Murph Knapke,
Owner,
Knapke Law Office, Attorney-at-Law
Susan L. Knust,
Managing Partner,
K.P. Properties and Omega
Warehouse Services
William J. Kramer,
Vice President and General Manager,
Val-Co Pax, Inc.
Richard E. Olszewski,
Owner,
7 Eleven Food Stores
Steven C. Posey,
President,
Posey Property Company
Directors Emeriti:
Arthur W. Bidwell
Thomas C. Blake
Merle F. Brady
Carl R. Fiora
Vaden Fitton
F. Elden Houts
Robert M. Jones
Bruce E. Leep
Joseph L. Marcum
Robert Q. Millan
Frank C. Neal
Joel H. Schmidt
Perry D. Thatcher

Senior Management:
Claude E. Davis, President and
Chief Executive Officer
C. Douglas Lefferson, Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer
J. Franklin Hall, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Samuel J. Munafo, Executive Vice
President, Banking Markets
Richard Barbercheck, Senior Vice
President and Chief Credit Officer
Gregory A. Gehlmann, Senior Vice
President, General Counsel, and
Chief Risk Officer
Anthony M. Stollings, Senior Vice
President, Controller, and Chief
Accounting Officer
Wealth Resource Group
Michael J. Cassani, Senior Vice President
and Chief Administrative Officer
Terry Monahan, Senior Vice President
and Chief Investment Officer
Dennis G. Walsh, Senior Vice President
Insurance Services
Mark Willis, President,
First Financial Insurance
Internal Audit
James W. Manning, Senior Vice President
and Chief Internal Auditor
Market Presidents:
Adrian O. Breen
Butler-Warren
George M. Brooks
Northern Ohio
Roger S. Furrer
Dayton-Middletown
Steven L Gochenour
South Central Indiana
David S. Harvey
Northwest Indiana
Bradley W. Marley
North Central Indiana
John M. Marrocco
Cincinnati
Thomas R. Saelinger
Northern Kentucky
18 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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2007 Financial Report

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 19

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Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
This annual report contains forward-looking statements. See Page 32 for further information on the risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements.
The following discussion and analysis is presented to facilitate the understanding of the financial position and results of operations of First Financial Bancorp (First Financial or the Company). It identifies trends and material changes that occurred during the reporting periods and should be read in conjunction with the statistical data, Consolidated Financial Statements, and accompanying Notes on Pages 33 through 59.
Executive Summary
First Financial is a bank holding company headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio. As of December 31, 2007, First Financial, through its subsidiaries, operated in western Ohio, Indiana, and northern Kentucky. These subsidiaries include a commercial bank, First Financial Bank, N.A. (Bank), with 82 banking centers and 99 ATMs, and a registered investment advisory company, First Financial Capital Advisors LLC (Capital Advisors). Within these two subsidiaries, First Financial conducts two primary activities: banking and wealth management. The Bank operates in eight distinct markets under the First Financial Bank name and provides lending products, deposit accounts, cash management, and other services to commercial and retail clients. The wealth management activities include a full range of services, including trust services, brokerage, private banking, investments, and other related services.
In the first quarter of 2008, First Financial’s corporate headquarters was relocated to its existing Cincinnati market offices in Cincinnati, Ohio. The bank subsidiary remains headquartered in Hamilton, Ohio.
During 2005 and 2006, First Financial executed and completed a number of strategic initiatives. These initiatives significantly contributed to First Financial’s 2007 success and included the following:

• |  | Completing the corporate reorganization started in 2005

• |  | The continued evaluation of its banking center footprint, including expansion and consolidation to promote growth and efficiency

• |  | Focusing on core banking competencies, which resulted in the decision to exit certain business activities and led to the sale of the mortgage servicing rights in the first quarter of 2007 and the merchant payment processing portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2007

• |  | Further developing consistent credit and risk management processes

First Financial’s return on average shareholders’ equity for 2007 was 12.73%, which compares to 7.13% and 10.40% for 2006 and 2005, respectively. First Financial’s return on average assets for 2007 was 1.08%. This compares to return on average assets of 0.62% and 1.00% for 2006 and 2005, respectively.
The major components of First Financial’s operating results for the past five years are summarized in Table 1 — Financial Summary and discussed in greater detail on subsequent pages.
Recent Expansions, Consolidations, And Dispositions
First Financial serves a combination of metropolitan and non-metropolitan markets in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky through its full-service banking centers. Market selection is based upon a number of factors, but markets are primarily chosen for their potential for growth and long-term profitability. First Financial’s goal is to develop a competitive advantage through a local market focus; building long-term relationships with clients and helping them reach greater levels of success in their financial life. To help achieve its goals of superior service to an increasing number of clients, First Financial opened two new banking centers in its metropolitan markets in 2007. First Financial has future expansion opportunities in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, including expansion opportunities with properties previously acquired. First Financial announced in December of 2007 its plans to open a new market headquarters in the third quarter of 2008 for its Dayton-Middletown metropolitan market. First Financial intends to concentrate future growth plans and capital investments in its metropolitan markets. Smaller markets have historically provided stable, low-cost funding sources to First Financial and they remain an important part of First Financial’s funding base. First Financial believes its historical strength in these markets should enable it to retain or improve its market share.
In October of 2007, First Financial announced the formation of a long-term exclusive marketing agreement and the sale of its merchant payment processing portfolio to its historical merchant processing technology provider. Under the terms of the agreement, the buyer will continue to provide merchant processing services to existing clients of First Financial, and First Financial will jointly market with them merchant processing services to prospective clients. In exchange for approximately 1,700 merchant accounts in the portfolio, First Financial recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007 a gain of $5.5 million or $0.09 per diluted share.
In March of 2007, First Financial consolidated seven banking centers due to their proximity to existing or newly built locations.
In the first quarter of 2007, First Financial sold its mortgage servicing rights for $1.1 million or $0.02 per diluted share. The sale of the mortgage servicing rights is consistent with First Financial’s residential real estate loan originate-and-sell strategy. First Financial’s residential real estate loan strategy includes partnering with a third party that provides loan processing and related services prior to its purchase and servicing of the residential real estate loan.
Also in the first quarter of 2007, First Financial sold $14.9 million in commercial, commercial real estate, residential real estate, and related consumer loans. This portfolio was comprised of credits that were in or were soon to be in foreclosure. These loans were transferred to loans held for sale at December 31, 2006, at the lower of cost or estimated fair value of $8.8 million. The final sale proceeds were materially consistent with the recorded estimated fair value reported in the fourth quarter of 2006.
In February of 2006, First Financial made the strategic decision to restructure a portion of its balance sheet. As a result, $179.0 million in investment securities were sold and $184.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) borrowings were paid down. First Financial in the first quarter of 2006 recognized a loss on the sale of securities of $0.5 million or $0.01 per diluted share and incurred penalties associated with the prepayment of the borrowings of $4.3 million or $0.07 per diluted share. In the fourth quarter of 2005, First Financial recognized a $6.5 million or $0.10 per diluted share charge for these investment securities that were deemed to be other than temporarily impaired, as First Financial no longer had the intent to hold these investment securities whose market values were below carrying amount.
The sale of ten and closure of seven banking centers was completed in August of 2006. The sale of the ten was completed in three separate transactions with total net gains on the sales of $12.5 million or $0.20 per diluted share. Total deposits of $108.6 million were assumed and total loans of $101.4 million were sold to the acquirers. The deposits and loans of the closed banking centers were transferred to other existing First Financial banking centers.
Also in the third quarter of 2006 and as part of its strategy to reduce overall credit risk in the loan portfolio, First Financial completed the sale of $38.1 million in primarily substandard commercial, commercial real estate, and residential real estate loans. These loans had been previously transferred in the second quarter of 2006 to loans held for sale after being marked to the lower of cost or estimated fair value of $28.3 million. The loans were subsequently purchased by five independent parties for a combined price of $31.2 million. The third quarter of 2006 gain from the problem loan sale was $2.2 million or approximately $0.04 per diluted share and resulted from the final sale price being higher than the recorded estimated fair value reported in the second quarter.
Overview Of Operations
The primary source of First Financial’s revenue is net interest income, the excess of interest received from earning assets over interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, and the fees for financial services provided to clients. First Financial’s business results tend to be influenced by overall economic factors, including market interest rates, business spending, and consumer confidence, as well as competitive conditions within the marketplace.
Net interest income in 2007 declined 5.3% from 2006, compared to a 5.9% decline from 2005 to 2006. The decline in 2007 was primarily due to a 3.6% net decline in the level of average earning assets, resulting from the third quarter of 2006 sale of ten banking centers and their $101.4 million of loans and $108.6 million of deposits. The net interest margin was 3.94% for 2007, compared with 4.01% in 2006, and 3.87% in 2005. The lower net interest margin in 2007 compared to 2006 is due to the effect of competitive increases in deposit rates and account migration to higher cost deposit products, somewhat offset by increased yields due to the mix shift of earning assets.
Loan growth during 2007 was primarily driven by First Financial’s continued efforts to expand its commercial lending sales force and deepen its market presence, primarily in metropolitan markets. The mix shift from certain lower yielding consumer loans to higher yielding commercial loans continues, as period-end commercial, commercial real estate, and construction loans increased from $1.40 billion in the fourth quarter of 2006 to $1.64 billion in the fourth quarter of 2007, an increase of $244.2 million or 17.5%.
20 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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Table 1 • Financial Summary

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | December 31, |  |  |  |
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005 |  | 2004 |  | 2003
Summary of operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest income |  | $ | 206,442 |  |  | $ | 205,525 |  |  | $ | 200,697 |  |  | $ | 196,472 |  |  | $ | 200,686 |
Tax equivalent adjustment (1) |  |  | 2,281 |  |  |  | 2,655 |  |  |  | 2,983 |  |  |  | 3,230 |  |  |  | 3,642 |
Interest income tax — equivalent (1) |  |  | 208,723 |  |  |  | 208,180 |  |  |  | 203,680 |  |  |  | 199,702 |  |  |  | 204,328 |
Interest expense |  |  | 87,942 |  |  |  | 80,452 |  |  |  | 67,730 |  |  |  | 56,290 |  |  |  | 60,007 |
Net interest income tax — equivalent (1) |  | $ | 120,781 |  |  | $ | 127,728 |  |  | $ | 135,950 |  |  | $ | 143,412 |  |  | $ | 144,321 |
Interest income |  | $ | 206,442 |  |  | $ | 205,525 |  |  | $ | 200,697 |  |  | $ | 196,472 |  |  | $ | 200,686 |
Interest expense |  |  | 87,942 |  |  |  | 80,452 |  |  |  | 67,730 |  |  |  | 56,290 |  |  |  | 60,007 |
Net interest income |  |  | 118,500 |  |  |  | 125,073 |  |  |  | 132,967 |  |  |  | 140,182 |  |  |  | 140,679 |
Provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 7,652 |  |  |  | 9,822 |  |  |  | 5,571 |  |  |  | 5,978 |  |  |  | 18,287 |
Noninterest income |  |  | 63,588 |  |  |  | 67,984 |  |  |  | 46,191 |  |  |  | 53,511 |  |  |  | 60,909 |
Noninterest expenses |  |  | 120,747 |  |  |  | 152,515 |  |  |  | 130,165 |  |  |  | 127,319 |  |  |  | 129,473 |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |  |  | 53,689 |  |  |  | 30,720 |  |  |  | 43,422 |  |  |  | 60,396 |  |  |  | 53,828 |
Income tax expense |  |  | 18,008 |  |  |  | 9,449 |  |  |  | 12,614 |  |  |  | 19,295 |  |  |  | 16,889 |
Income from continuing operations |  |  | 35,681 |  |  |  | 21,271 |  |  |  | 30,808 |  |  |  | 41,101 |  |  |  | 36,939 |
Discontinued operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other operating income (loss) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 583 |  |  |  | (21 | ) |  |  | 1,528 |
Gain on sale of discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 10,366 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 10,949 |  |  |  | (21 | ) |  |  | 1,528 |
Income tax expense (benefit) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 3,824 |  |  |  | (38 | ) |  |  | 561 |
Income from discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 7,125 |  |  |  | 17 |  |  |  | 967 |
Net income |  | $ | 35,681 |  |  | $ | 21,271 |  |  | $ | 37,933 |  |  | $ | 41,118 |  |  | $ | 37,906 |
Per share data |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Earnings per share from continuing operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.72 |  |  | $ | 0.94 |  |  | $ | 0.83 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.71 |  |  | $ | 0.94 |  |  | $ | 0.83 |
Earnings per share from discontinued operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.17 |  |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.02 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.17 |  |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.02 |
Earnings per share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.89 |  |  | $ | 0.94 |  |  | $ | 0.85 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.88 |  |  | $ | 0.94 |  |  | $ | 0.85 |
Cash dividends declared |  | $ | 0.65 |  |  | $ | 0.64 |  |  | $ | 0.64 |  |  | $ | 0.60 |  |  | $ | 0.60 |
Average common shares outstanding—basic (in thousands) |  |  | 38,455 |  |  |  | 39,539 |  |  |  | 43,084 |  |  |  | 43,819 |  |  |  | 44,371 |
Average common shares outstanding—diluted (in thousands) |  |  | 38,459 |  |  |  | 39,562 |  |  |  | 43,173 |  |  |  | 43,880 |  |  |  | 44,423 |
Selected year-end balances |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total assets |  | $ | 3,369,316 |  |  | $ | 3,301,599 |  |  | $ | 3,690,808 |  |  | $ | 3,916,671 |  |  | $ | 3,956,062 |
Earning assets |  |  | 3,054,128 |  |  |  | 2,956,881 |  |  |  | 3,333,406 |  |  |  | 3,488,519 |  |  |  | 3,512,721 |
Investment securities (2) |  |  | 346,536 |  |  |  | 366,223 |  |  |  | 607,983 |  |  |  | 667,938 |  |  |  | 799,599 |
Loans, net of unearned income |  |  | 2,599,087 |  |  |  | 2,479,834 |  |  |  | 2,627,423 |  |  |  | 2,808,037 |  |  |  | 2,708,626 |
Interest-bearing demand deposits |  |  | 603,870 |  |  |  | 667,305 |  |  |  | 733,880 |  |  |  | 653,084 |  |  |  | 633,214 |
Savings deposits |  |  | 596,636 |  |  |  | 526,663 |  |  |  | 503,297 |  |  |  | 564,067 |  |  |  | 570,687 |
Time deposits |  |  | 1,227,954 |  |  |  | 1,179,852 |  |  |  | 1,247,274 |  |  |  | 1,250,347 |  |  |  | 1,249,924 |
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits |  |  | 465,731 |  |  |  | 424,138 |  |  |  | 440,988 |  |  |  | 438,367 |  |  |  | 409,660 |
Total deposits |  |  | 2,894,191 |  |  |  | 2,797,958 |  |  |  | 2,925,439 |  |  |  | 2,905,865 |  |  |  | 2,863,485 |
Federal Home Loan Bank long-term debt |  |  | 45,896 |  |  |  | 63,762 |  |  |  | 286,655 |  |  |  | 330,356 |  |  |  | 296,979 |
Other long-term debt |  |  | 20,620 |  |  |  | 30,930 |  |  |  | 30,930 |  |  |  | 30,930 |  |  |  | 30,000 |
Shareholders’ equity |  |  | 276,583 |  |  |  | 285,479 |  |  |  | 299,881 |  |  |  | 371,455 |  |  |  | 366,483 |
Ratios based on average balances |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans to deposits |  |  | 90.03 | % |  |  | 89.39 | % |  |  | 94.81 | % |  |  | 97.91 | % |  |  | 94.84 | %
Net charge-offs to loans |  |  | 0.24 | % |  |  | 0.97 | % |  |  | 0.30 | % |  |  | 0.26 | % |  |  | 0.69 | %
Shareholders’ equity to total assets |  |  | 8.47 | % |  |  | 8.69 | % |  |  | 9.57 | % |  |  | 9.40 | % |  |  | 9.62 | %
Return on assets |  |  | 1.08 | % |  |  | 0.62 | % |  |  | 1.00 | % |  |  | 1.05 | % |  |  | 0.99 | %
Return on equity |  |  | 12.73 | % |  |  | 7.13 | % |  |  | 10.40 | % |  |  | 11.21 | % |  |  | 10.27 | %
Net interest margin |  |  | 3.94 | % |  |  | 4.01 | % |  |  | 3.87 | % |  |  | 3.97 | % |  |  | 4.07 | %
Net interest margin (tax equivalent basis) (1) |  |  | 4.01 | % |  |  | 4.09 | % |  |  | 3.96 | % |  |  | 4.07 | % |  |  | 4.18 | %
Dividend payout |  |  | 69.89 | % |  |  | 118.52 | % |  |  | 71.91 | % |  |  | 63.83 | % |  |  | 70.59 | %

(1) |  | Tax equivalent basis was calculated using a 35.00% tax rate in all years presented.
(2) |  | Includes investment securities held-to-maturity, investment securities available-for-sale, and other investments.

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 21

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Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
Deposit growth during 2007 was modest, with the competitive landscape remaining intense and made even more difficult by the increased liquidity pressure being exhibited by a number of banks in our markets. The consumer’s preference for higher-yielding money market accounts and time deposits, rather than more traditional transaction accounts, remains and continues to result in deposit mix shift. This is also the primary driver of behavior-based margin compression.
Noninterest income was positively impacted by higher trust and wealth management fees and bankcard income in 2007 as compared to 2006. Noninterest income in 2007 included a $5.5 million gain on the sale of the merchant payment processing portfolio, a $1.1 million gain on the sale of mortgage servicing rights, and a $0.4 million gain on the sales of investment securities. Noninterest income in 2006 included a $12.5 million gain on the sales of banking centers, a $2.2 million gain on the sale of problem loans, and a $0.5 million loss on the sale of investment securities. Excluding these items, noninterest income grew $2.8 million or 5.5% in 2007 from 2006.
Noninterest expense has improved significantly as a direct result of the successful execution of the previously mentioned strategic initiatives, resulting in a reduction in noninterest expense of $31.8 million or 20.8% for 2007 compared to 2006. The pension charges recorded in both 2006 and 2007 were a result of First Financial’s staff reductions, and are an acceleration of costs that were previously deferred under pension accounting rules and would have been recognized in future periods. First Financial continues to evaluate its staffing levels based on its business needs and requirements; and as a result, salary expense excluding severance costs have decreased $5.0 million or 9.3% in 2007 from 2006.
Credit quality remained stable in 2007, as evidenced by the low level of net charge-offs and nonperforming assets. Net charge-offs, as a percent of average loans, were 0.24% in 2007 compared to 0.97% in 2006. While there is some anticipation of decay in certain consumer-based lending products due to a broad economic downturn, First Financial’s total loan portfolio has, and continues to shift away from most consumer-based lending. Additionally, the mix of the total loan portfolio has shifted not only in product type, but in the risk profile of the borrowers due to the improvements in both underwriting and in the resolution strategies used for problem credits.
Nonperforming asset levels remained relatively stable during 2007, reflective of First Financial’s strong credit management policies and practices, particularly in the current economic environment. Nonperforming loans, as a percent of total loans, were 0.56% at December 31, 2007, compared to 0.44% at December 31, 2006. First Financial’s December 31, 2007 allowance for loan and lease losses to period-end loans ratio was 1.12%, an increase of 2 basis points compared to December 31, 2006.
Capital management efforts through share repurchases resulted in 2,000,000 shares being repurchased in 2007 at a cost of $27.3 million and a weighted average share repurchase price of $13.65, significantly higher than the 2006 share repurchase level of 404,000 shares at a cost of $6.6 million and a weighted average repurchase price of $16.24. First Financial’s regulatory capital ratios at December 31, 2007, significantly exceeded the levels necessary to be classified as “well capitalized.”
For a more detailed discussion of the above topics, please refer to the sections that follow.
2007 vs. 2006. First Financial’s net income increased $14.4 million or 67.7% to $35.7 million in 2007, compared to net income of $21.3 million in 2006. The 2007 income included $5.5 million from the gain on the sale of the merchant payment processing portfolio, $1.1 million from the gain on the sale of mortgage servicing rights, and $0.4 million from the gain on sale of investment securities, offset by $2.2 million in pension settlement charges and $1.6 million in severance costs. First Financial’s 2006 income included $12.5 million from the gain on the sale of the banking centers and $2.2 million from the gain on the problem loan sale, offset by $19.0 million in costs and other charges related to the implementation of strategic initiatives and $0.5 million in losses on the sale of securities in conjunction with the balance sheet restructure. Net interest income decreased $6.6 million or 5.3% in 2007 from 2006 primarily due to a 3.6% net decline in the level of average earning assets, resulting from the third quarter of 2006 sale of ten banking centers and their related loans and deposits. For more detail, refer to Table 2 —Volume/Rate Analysis and the Net Interest Income section.
2006 vs. 2005. First Financial’s net income decreased $16.7 million or 43.9% to $21.3 million in 2006, compared to net income of $37.9 million in 2005. Income from continuing operations was $21.3 million, a decrease of $9.5 million or 31.0% from 2005. There was no income from discontinued operations in 2006. Income from discontinued operations was $7.1 million in 2005 as a result of the sale of the First Financial subsidiary, Fidelity Federal Savings Bank.
The 2006 income included $12.5 million from the gain on the sale of the banking centers and $2.2 million from the gain on the problem loan sale, offset by $19.0 million in costs and other charges related to the implementation of strategic initiatives and $0.5 million in losses on the sale of securities in conjunction with the balance sheet restructure. The income from discontinued operations in 2005 included a pre-tax gain of $10.4 million, or a net gain of $6.7 million, from the sale of the Fidelity Federal Savings Bank. Net interest income decreased $7.9 million or 5.9% in 2006 from 2005 primarily due to a planned reduction in total earning assets compounded by an increase in deposit costs, including existing account migration to higher yielding deposit products. For more detail, refer to Table 2 —Volume/ Rate Analysis and the Net Interest Income section.
Table 2 • Volume/Rate Analysis — Tax Equivalent Basis(1)

|  | 2007 change from 2006 due to |  | 2006 change from 2005 due to
(Dollars in thousands) |  | VOLUME |  | RATE |  | TOTAL |  | VOLUME |  | RATE |  | TOTAL
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans (2) |  | $ | (1,799 | ) |  | $ | 6,720 |  |  | $ | 4,921 |  |  | $ | (12,733 | ) |  | $ | 17,865 |  |  | $ | 5,132 |
Investment securities (3) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Taxable |  |  | (1,699 | ) |  |  | 68 |  |  |  | (1,631 | ) |  |  | (10,977 | ) |  |  | 6,072 |  |  |  | (4,905 | )
Tax-exempt |  |  | (1,274 | ) |  |  | 350 |  |  |  | (924 | ) |  |  | (1,194 | ) |  |  | 76 |  |  |  | (1,118 | )
Total investment securities interest (3) |  |  | (2,973 | ) |  |  | 418 |  |  |  | (2,555 | ) |  |  | (12,171 | ) |  |  | 6,148 |  |  |  | (6,023 | )
Federal funds sold |  |  | (1,881 | ) |  |  | 58 |  |  |  | (1,823 | ) |  |  | 4,773 |  |  |  | 618 |  |  |  | 5,391 |
Total |  |  | (6,653 | ) |  |  | 7,196 |  |  |  | 543 |  |  |  | (20,131 | ) |  |  | 24,631 |  |  |  | 4,500 |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest-bearing demand deposits |  |  | (1,653 | ) |  |  | (1,144 | ) |  |  | (2,797 | ) |  |  | 798 |  |  |  | 7,364 |  |  |  | 8,162 |
Savings deposits |  |  | 920 |  |  |  | 2,795 |  |  |  | 3,715 |  |  |  | (158 | ) |  |  | 4,178 |  |  |  | 4,020 |
Time deposits |  |  | 140 |  |  |  | 8,114 |  |  |  | 8,254 |  |  |  | (1,544 | ) |  |  | 10,720 |  |  |  | 9,176 |
Short-term borrowings |  |  | (27 | ) |  |  | 491 |  |  |  | 464 |  |  |  | 94 |  |  |  | 1,713 |  |  |  | 1,807 |
Federal Home Loan Bank long-term debt |  |  | (1,660 | ) |  |  | (303 | ) |  |  | (1,963 | ) |  |  | (8,635 | ) |  |  | (2,381 | ) |  |  | (11,016 | )
Other long-term debt |  |  | (236 | ) |  |  | 53 |  |  |  | (183 | ) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 573 |  |  |  | 573 |
Total |  |  | (2,516 | ) |  |  | 10,006 |  |  |  | 7,490 |  |  |  | (9,445 | ) |  |  | 22,167 |  |  |  | 12,722 |
Net interest income |  | $ | (4,137 | ) |  | $ | (2,810 | ) |  | $ | (6,947 | ) |  | $ | (10,686 | ) |  | $ | 2,464 |  |  | $ | (8,222 | )

(1) |  | Tax equivalent basis was calculated using a 35.00% tax rate.
(2) |  | Includes loans held-for-sale.
(3) |  | Includes investment securities held-to-maturity, investment securities available-for-sale, and other investments.
N/M |  | = Not meaningful

22 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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Net Interest Income
First Financial’s net interest income for the years 2003 through 2007 is shown in Table 1 — Financial Summary. The amount of net interest income is determined by the volume and mix of earning assets, the rates earned on such earning assets, and the volume, mix, and rates paid for the deposits and borrowed money that support the earning assets. Table 2 —Volume/Rate Analysis describes the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in volume of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected First Financial’s net interest income on a tax equivalent basis during the years indicated. Table 2 — Volume/Rate Analysis should be read in conjunction with the Statistical Information shown on Page 33.
Interest income on a tax equivalent basis is presented in Table 1 — Financial Summary. The tax equivalent adjustment recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 35.0% tax rate for all years presented. The tax equivalent net interest margin was 4.01%, 4.09%, and 3.96% for the years 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.
Nonaccruing loans and loans held for sale were included in the daily average loan balances used in determining the yields in Table 2 — Volume/Rate Analysis.
Interest foregone on nonaccruing loans is disclosed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and is not considered to have a material effect on these presentations. In addition, the amount of loan fees included in the interest income computation for 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $1.8 million, $3.6 million, and $4.4 million, respectively. The decline in loan fees in 2007 is primarily due to the sale of the mortgage servicing portfolio in the first quarter of 2007, including the decision to sell future residential real estate loan originations to its strategic partner, resulting in all future loan fees associated with residential real estate loans being owned by the new servicer.
2007 vs. 2006. Interest income was $206.4 million in 2007, an increase of $0.9 million or 0.4% from 2006. The yield on earning assets increased 27 basis points from 6.59% in 2006 to 6.86% in 2007, as First Financial continued to grow its higher yielding commercial loan portfolio. Interest expense was $87.9 million in 2007, an increase of $7.5 million or 9.3% from 2006. The total cost of funds increased 38 basis points to 3.37% in 2007, from 2.99% in 2006, primarily due to the impact of competitive increases in deposit rates and account migration to higher cost deposit products.
Net interest income decreased $6.6 million or 5.3% primarily due to a 3.6% net decline in the level of average earning assets, resulting from the third quarter of 2006 sale of ten banking centers and their related loans and deposits. In a series of actions beginning in September of 2007, the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate a total of 100 basis points by December 31, 2007. These actions have resulted in the decline of other market interest rates, specifically the prime rate, but have created a disproportionate and timing-related impact on asset yields as compared to deposit costs.
2006 vs. 2005. Interest income was $205.5 million in 2006, an increase of $4.8 million or 2.4% from 2005. The increase in interest income was primarily a result of increased interest rates on earning assets, particularly as First Financial’s loan portfolio shifted from lower yielding consumer loans to higher yielding commercial loans. The yield on earning assets increased 75 basis points from 5.84% in 2005 to 6.59% in 2006. Interest expense was $80.5 million in 2006, an increase of $12.7 million or 18.8% from 2005. This increase was a result of the intense competition for deposits, as well as the consumer’s preference for higher-yielding money market and time deposits, rather than more traditional transaction accounts. The total cost of funds increased 67 basis points to 2.99% in 2006, from 2.32% in 2005.
Net interest income decreased $7.9 million or 5.9% due to a reduction in total earning assets through targeted loan sales, the decision to exit the indirect installment loan line of business, and the strategic decision to sell residential real estate loan production into the secondary market; compounded by the increase in deposit costs, including account migration to higher yielding products.
Noninterest Income And Noninterest Expenses
Noninterest income and noninterest expenses for 2007, 2006, and 2005 are shown in Table 3 — Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expenses.
Table 3 • Noninterest Income And Noninterest Expenses

|  | 2007 |  |  | 2006 |  |  | 2005 |
|  |  |  |  |  | % CHANGE |  |  |  |  |  |  | % CHANGE |  |  |  |  |  |  | % CHANGE |
|  |  |  |  |  | INCREASE |  |  |  |  |  |  | INCREASE |  |  |  |  |  |  | INCREASE |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | TOTAL |  |  | (DECREASE) |  |  | TOTAL |  |  | (DECREASE) |  |  | TOTAL |  |  | (DECREASE) |
Noninterest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service charges on deposit accounts |  | $ | 20,766 |  |  |  | (5.43 | %) |  | $ | 21,958 |  |  |  | 15.71 | % |  | $ | 18,976 |  |  |  | 2.00 | %
Trust and wealth management fees |  |  | 18,396 |  |  |  | 13.11 | % |  |  | 16,264 |  |  |  | (2.27 | %) |  |  | 16,641 |  |  |  | (4.79 | %)
Bankcard income |  |  | 5,251 |  |  |  | 18.35 | % |  |  | 4,437 |  |  |  | 11.15 | % |  |  | 3,992 |  |  |  | 6.45 | %
Net gains from sales of loans |  |  | 844 |  |  |  | (73.67 | %) |  |  | 3,206 |  |  |  | 255.04 | % |  |  | 903 |  |  |  | (42.15 | %)
Gain on sale of merchant payment processing portfolio |  |  | 5,501 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/M |
Gain on sale of mortgage servicing rights |  |  | 1,061 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/M |
Gain on sales of branches |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | 12,545 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/M |
Other |  |  | 11,402 |  |  |  | 13.45 | % |  |  | 10,050 |  |  |  | (17.61 | %) |  |  | 12,198 |  |  |  | 0.68 | %
Subtotal |  |  | 63,221 |  |  |  | (7.65 | %) |  |  | 68,460 |  |  |  | 29.88 | % |  |  | 52,710 |  |  |  | (1.49 | %)
Gains (losses) on sales and impairment of investment securities |  |  | 367 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | (476 | ) |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | (6,519 | ) |  |  | N/M |
Total |  | $ | 63,588 |  |  |  | (6.47 | %) |  | $ | 67,984 |  |  |  | 47.18 | % |  | $ | 46,191 |  |  |  | (13.68 | %)
Noninterest expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Salaries and employee benefits |  | $ | 69,891 |  |  |  | (14.31 | %) |  | $ | 81,560 |  |  |  | 4.98 | % |  | $ | 77,690 |  |  |  | 2.93 | %
Pension settlement charges |  |  | 2,222 |  |  |  | (25.16 | %) |  |  | 2,969 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/M |
Net occupancy |  |  | 10,861 |  |  |  | (1.60 | %) |  |  | 11,038 |  |  |  | 14.86 | % |  |  | 9,610 |  |  |  | 14.61 | %
Furniture and equipment |  |  | 6,761 |  |  |  | 20.58 | % |  |  | 5,607 |  |  |  | (10.66 | %) |  |  | 6,276 |  |  |  | (12.51 | %)
Data processing |  |  | 3,498 |  |  |  | (64.91 | %) |  |  | 9,969 |  |  |  | 45.17 | % |  |  | 6,867 |  |  |  | (4.81 | %)
Marketing |  |  | 2,441 |  |  |  | (30.06 | %) |  |  | 3,490 |  |  |  | 41.64 | % |  |  | 2,464 |  |  |  | (7.02 | %)
Communication |  |  | 3,230 |  |  |  | (3.12 | %) |  |  | 3,334 |  |  |  | 8.07 | % |  |  | 3,085 |  |  |  | 10.38 | %
Professional services |  |  | 4,142 |  |  |  | (47.13 | %) |  |  | 7,835 |  |  |  | 2.00 | % |  |  | 7,681 |  |  |  | 21.82 | %
Debt extinguishment |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | 4,295 |  |  |  | N/M |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/M |
Other |  |  | 17,701 |  |  |  | (21.04 | %) |  |  | 22,418 |  |  |  | 35.93 | % |  |  | 16,492 |  |  |  | (4.79 | %)
Total |  | $ | 120,747 |  |  |  | (20.83 | %) |  | $ | 152,515 |  |  |  | 17.17 | % |  | $ | 130,165 |  |  |  | 2.24 | %

N/M = Not meaningful
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 23

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Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
Noninterest Income
2007 vs. 2006. Noninterest income decreased $4.4 million or 6.5% from 2006. Net of the 2007 and 2006 transactions described below, overall noninterest income increased $2.8 million or 5.5% primarily due to higher trust and wealth management fees and bankcard income in 2007 as compared to 2006. The year 2007 included the gain on the sale of the merchant payment processing portfolio of $5.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, the gain on the sales of investment securities of $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2007, and the gain on the sale of mortgage servicing rights of $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2007. The year 2006 included the gain on the sales of banking centers of $12.5 million and the gain on the sale of problem loans of $2.2 million, both in the third quarter of 2006, offset by the loss on sale of investment securities of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2006.
2006 vs. 2005. Noninterest income increased $21.8 million or 47.2% from 2005. Net of the 2006 and 2005 transactions described below, overall noninterest income remained relatively flat. The year 2006 included the gain on the sales of banking centers of $12.5 million and the gain on the sale of problem loans of $2.2 million, both in the third quarter of 2006, offset by the loss on sale of investment securities of $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2006 in conjunction with the balance sheet restructure. The year 2005 included an impairment loss on the sale of investment securities of $6.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, as well as a net loss on the sale of loans of $0.9 million resulting from the gain on the sale of $64.0 million in residential real estate loans in the fourth quarter of 2005 more than offset by the loss on the sale of $42.0 million in indirect installment loans in the third quarter of 2005.
Noninterest Expenses
2007 vs. 2006. Noninterest expenses decreased $31.8 million or 20.8% for 2007 compared to 2006, reflecting the successful execution of the previously mentioned strategic initiatives. Salaries and employee benefits decreased $11.7 million or 14.3% from 2006 primarily due to the $5.3 million reduction in salaries and other performance and incentive-based compensation as a result of an overall reduction in staffing levels, the $3.2 million reduction in pension and other retirement-related expense, as well as decreased severance charges of $2.6 million. Data processing decreased $6.5 million or 64.9% primarily due to the impact of First Financial’s prior year technology upgrade in which the company moved from an out-sourced to an in-house data processing environment, including $2.0 million in technology contract early termination costs incurred in 2006. Professional services decreased $3.7 million or 47.1% primarily due to 2006 costs associated with the corporate reorganization, branding initiative, banking center staffing, and recruiting fees, combined with an overall reduction in consulting usage. Debt extinguishment costs incurred in 2006 related to the balance sheet restructure were $4.3 million. Property and fixed asset disposal losses decreased $2.6 million in 2007 from 2006 primarily due to the 2006 disposal of obsolete banking center signage and related assets associated with the branding initiative and computer and technology equipment disposals associated with the technology upgrade and data processing conversion.
Noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2007 included $0.5 million associated with First Financial’s proportionate share of the announced Visa Inc. member bank settlement charges and pending litigation. It is anticipated that Visa will use a portion of the proceeds of their planned initial public offering (IPO) to satisfy such litigation judgments and settlements. In the event this IPO occurs, First Financial expects that its proportionate share of proceeds from the offering will more than offset its current liability for this litigation.
2006 vs. 2005. Noninterest expenses increased $22.4 million or 17.2% from 2005, of which $19.0 million was due to costs and other charges related to the implementation of strategic initiatives. The $22.4 million increase in noninterest expense in 2006 from 2005 is largely due to the previously discussed $4.3 million prepayment penalty, as well as increased salaries and benefits of $3.9 million primarily due to increased severance charges of $1.6 million, pension and other retirement-related expenses of $0.7 million, as well as $0.6 million in incentive compensation and healthcare costs. Pension settlement and curtailment charges incurred in 2006 totaled $3.0 million resulting from First Financial’s staffing reductions. Net occupancy expense increased $1.4 million or 14.9% due to increased maintenance costs, utilities, and new building rent consistent with First Financial’s facilities and banking center expansion plans. Data processing expenses increased $3.1 million or 45.2% primarily due to fees and charges associated with the early termination of technology contracts, as well as increased software license amortization of $0.5 million. Marketing expenses increased $1.0 million or 41.6% primarily associated with the new branding initiative. Other noninterest expenses increased $5.9 million or 35.9% primarily due to losses on the disposition of fixed assets and various real estate owned and other property of $2.0 million, relocation and travel-related expenses of $1.0 million, credit and collection expense of $0.6 million, and state intangible tax of $0.6 million.
Income Taxes
First Financial’s tax expense in 2007 totaled $18.0 million compared to $9.4 million in 2006 and $16.4 million in 2005, resulting in effective tax rates of 33.5%, 30.8%, and 30.2%, in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. The increase in 2007’s effective tax rate as compared to 2006 is primarily due to the fourth quarter of 2006 loss before income taxes and related $1.4 million income tax benefit. The increase in 2006’s effective tax rate as compared to 2005 is primarily due to the third quarter of 2006 increase of $1.0 million associated with the completion of an Internal Revenue Service audit of two prior years, offset by increased tax-exempt income as a percentage of total income and the reversal of certain tax reserves related to several tax positions that were no longer considered necessary.
Tax expense relating to income from continuing operations totaled $18.0 million, $9.4 million, and $12.6 million for 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. The respective effective tax rates were 33.5%, 30.8%, and 29.0%.
Further analysis of income taxes is presented in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Loans
First Financial, primarily through its banking subsidiary, is dedicated to meeting the financial needs of individuals and businesses through its high touch, high service business model. The loan portfolio is comprised of a broad range of borrowers primarily in the western Ohio, northern Kentucky, and Indiana markets. First Financial’s loan portfolio is primarily composed of commercial, commercial real estate, real estate construction, residential real estate, and other consumer financing loans.
Subject to First Financial’s credit policy and guidelines, credit underwriting and approval occur within the market originating the loan. First Financial has delegated to each market president a lending limit sufficient to handle the majority of client requests in a timely manner. Loan requests for amounts greater than the market limit require the approval of the regional credit officer. The required additional approvals for greater loan amounts include the approval(s) of the chief credit officer, the chief executive officer, and the board of directors as necessary. This allows First Financial to manage the initial credit risk exposure through a standardized, disciplined, and strategically focused loan approval process, but with an increasingly higher level of authority. Plans to purchase or sell a participation in a loan or a group of loans require the approval of certain senior lending and administrative officers, and in some cases could include the board of directors.
Enhanced processes have improved management’s understanding of the risk characteristics of the loan portfolios. Active use of a Special Assets Division allows First Financial to ensure appropriate oversight, improved communication, and timely resolution of issues throughout the loan portfolio. Additionally, Commercial Credit Risk provides objective oversight and assessment of commercial credit quality and credit processes using an independent, market-based credit risk review approach. Retail/Small Business Credit Risk performs product-level reviews of portfolio performance, assessment of credit quality, and compliance with underwriting and loan administration guidelines. First Financial’s analytical and reporting capability provides timely and valuable portfolio information to aid in credit management.
2007 vs. 2006. Loans increased $119.3 million or 4.8% during 2007, excluding loans held for sale, with average balances remaining relatively flat, decreasing $19.8 million or 0.8%, excluding loans held for sale. The overall period-end increase in the loan portfolio as compared to 2006 was primarily due to the continued mix shift from certain lower yielding consumer loans to higher yielding commercial loans. Period-end commercial, commercial real estate, and real estate construction loans increased from $1.40 billion at December 31, 2006, to $1.64 billion, an increase of $244.2 million or 17.5%.
24 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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Table 4 • Loan Portfolio

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | December 31, |  |  |  |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005 |  | 2004 |  | 2003
Commercial |  | $ | 785,143 |  |  | $ | 673,445 |  |  | $ | 582,594 |  |  | $ | 635,489 |  |  | $ | 658,331 |
Real estate — construction |  |  | 151,432 |  |  |  | 101,688 |  |  |  | 86,022 |  |  |  | 86,345 |  |  |  | 68,700 |
Real estate — mortgage |  |  | 1,245,741 |  |  |  | 1,252,182 |  |  |  | 1,418,413 |  |  |  | 1,478,930 |  |  |  | 1,403,805 |
Installment |  |  | 389,783 |  |  |  | 427,009 |  |  |  | 515,200 |  |  |  | 580,150 |  |  |  | 543,870 |
Credit card |  |  | 26,610 |  |  |  | 24,587 |  |  |  | 22,936 |  |  |  | 21,894 |  |  |  | 21,679 |
Lease financing |  |  | 378 |  |  |  | 923 |  |  |  | 2,258 |  |  |  | 5,229 |  |  |  | 12,241 |
Total |  | $ | 2,599,087 |  |  | $ | 2,479,834 |  |  | $ | 2,627,423 |  |  | $ | 2,808,037 |  |  | $ | 2,708,626 |

Table 5 • Loan Maturity/Rate Sensitivity

|  | December 31, 2007 Maturity
|  | Within |  | After one but |  |  |  |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | one year |  | within five years |  | After five years |  | Total
Commercial |  | $ | 459,109 |  |  | $ | 259,010 |  |  | $ | 67,024 |  |  | $ | 785,143 |
Realestate — construction |  |  | 62,018 |  |  |  | 84,242 |  |  |  | 5,172 |  |  |  | 151,432 |
Total |  | $ | 521,127 |  |  | $ | 343,252 |  |  | $ | 72,196 |  |  | $ | 936,575 |

|  | Sensitivity to changes in interest rates
|  | Predetermined |  | Variable
(Dollars in thousands) |  | rate |  | rate
Due after one year but within five years |  | $ | 126,504 |  |  | $ | 216,748 |
Due after five years |  |  | 15,701 |  |  |  | 56,495 |
Total |  | $ | 142,205 |  |  | $ | 273,243 |

At December 31, 2007, commercial, commercial real estate, and real estate construction loans composed 63.2% of First Financial’s total loan portfolio. Residential real estate loans at 20.7%, home equity loans at 9.7%, and installment, credit card lending, and lease financing at 6.4% composed the remainder of the portfolio.
During late 2005 and early 2006, management made a number of strategic decisions to realign its balance sheet and change its lending focus. These decisions included exiting indirect installment lending, no longer holding its residential real estate loan originations on the balance sheet, and utilizing the sale of loans to strategically manage the company’s asset mix, risk profile, and credit quality. This has resulted in a cumulative reduction in loan balances of $631.6 million consisting of $196.9 million of indirect installment loan runoff, $174.3 million of residential real estate loan runoff, and $260.4 million associated with strategic loan sales.
Table 5 — Loan Maturity/Rate Sensitivity indicates the contractual maturity of commercial loans and real estate construction loans outstanding at December 31, 2007. Loans due after one year are classified according to their sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
Asset Quality
First Financial records a provision for loan and lease losses (provision) in the Consolidated Statements of Income to provide for expected credit losses. Actual losses on loans and leases are charged against the allowance for loan and lease losses (allowance), which is a reserve accumulated on the Consolidated Balance Sheets through the provision. The recorded values of the loans and leases actually removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets due to credit deterioration are referred to as charge-offs. Any subsequent recovery of a previously charged off loan is credited back to the allowance. First Financial’s policy is to charge-off loans when, in management’s opinion, full collectiblity of principal and interest based upon the contractual terms of the loan is unlikely. All loans charged-off are subject to continuous review and concerted efforts are made to maximize any recovery. In most cases, the borrower’s debt obligation is not cancelled even though the balance may have been charged off.
Management maintains the allowance at a level that is considered sufficient to absorb inherent risks in the loan portfolio. Management’s evaluation in establishing the adequacy of the allowance includes evaluation of the loan and lease portfolios, past loan and lease loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, and other pertinent factors, such as periodic internal and external evaluations of delinquent, nonaccrual, and classified loans. The evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires utilizing material estimates, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans. The evaluation of these factors is the responsibility of the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses Committee, which is comprised of senior officers from the risk management, credit administration, finance, and lending areas.
The allowance for commercial loans, including time and demand notes, tax-exempt loans, and commercial real estate loans begins with a process of estimating the probable losses inherent in the portfolio. The loss estimates for these commercial loans are established by category and based on First Financial’s internal system of credit risk ratings and historical loss data.
The estimate of losses inherent in the commercial portfolio may be adjusted for management’s estimate of probable losses on specific exposures dependent upon the values of the underlying collateral and/or the present value of expected future cash flows, as well as trends in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, prevailing economic conditions, changes in lending strategies, and other influencing factors as discussed earlier in the Asset Quality section.
In the commercial portfolio, certain loans, typically larger-balance non-homogeneous exposures, may have a specific allowance established based on the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors, and the realizable value of any collateral.
The allowance for consumer loans which includes residential real estate, installment, home equity, and credit card loans, as well as consumer leasing and overdrafts, is established for each of the categories by estimating losses inherent
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 25

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Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
Table 6 • Nonperforming Assets

|  |  |  |  |  | December 31, |  |  |  |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005 |  | 2004 |  | 2003
Nonaccrual loans |  | $ | 14,113 |  |  | $ | 10,236 |  |  | $ | 24,961 |  |  | $ | 17,472 |  |  | $ | 23,466 |
Restructured loans |  |  | 567 |  |  |  | 596 |  |  |  | 3,408 |  |  |  | 2,110 |  |  |  | 2,642 |
Other real estate owned (OREO) |  |  | 2,636 |  |  |  | 2,334 |  |  |  | 3,162 |  |  |  | 1,481 |  |  |  | 2,729 |
Total nonperforming assets |  | $ | 17,316 |  |  | $ | 13,166 |  |  | $ | 31,531 |  |  | $ | 21,063 |  |  | $ | 28,837 |
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total loans plus OREO |  |  | 0.67 | % |  |  | 0.53 | % |  |  | 1.20 | % |  |  | 0.75 | % |  |  | 1.06 | %
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more |  | $ | 313 |  |  | $ | 185 |  |  | $ | 1,359 |  |  | $ | 1,784 |  |  | $ | 1,872 |

Table 7 • Summary Of Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses And Selected Statistics

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005 |  | 2004 |  | 2003
Transactions in the allowance for loan and lease losses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at January 1 |  | $ | 27,386 |  |  | $ | 42,485 |  |  | $ | 45,076 |  |  | $ | 46,436 |  |  | $ | 46,873 |
Loans charged-off: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial |  |  | 4,107 |  |  |  | 11,950 |  |  |  | 4,677 |  |  |  | 3,324 |  |  |  | 10,810 |
Real estate — construction |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Real estate — mortgage |  |  | 1,118 |  |  |  | 12,264 |  |  |  | 1,646 |  |  |  | 2,205 |  |  |  | 4,823 |
Installment and other consumer financing |  |  | 4,094 |  |  |  | 4,063 |  |  |  | 5,191 |  |  |  | 6,145 |  |  |  | 6,610 |
Lease financing |  |  | 103 |  |  |  | 72 |  |  |  | 76 |  |  |  | 168 |  |  |  | 397 |
Total loans charged-off |  |  | 9,422 |  |  |  | 28,349 |  |  |  | 11,590 |  |  |  | 11,842 |  |  |  | 22,640 |
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial |  |  | 1,002 |  |  |  | 1,328 |  |  |  | 1,148 |  |  |  | 1,553 |  |  |  | 1,522 |
Real estate — construction |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Real estate — mortgage |  |  | 918 |  |  |  | 478 |  |  |  | 258 |  |  |  | 529 |  |  |  | 309 |
Installment and other consumer financing |  |  | 1,471 |  |  |  | 1,596 |  |  |  | 1,997 |  |  |  | 2,360 |  |  |  | 1,981 |
Lease financing |  |  | 50 |  |  |  | 26 |  |  |  | 25 |  |  |  | 62 |  |  |  | 104 |
Total recoveries |  |  | 3,441 |  |  |  | 3,428 |  |  |  | 3,428 |  |  |  | 4,504 |  |  |  | 3,916 |
Net charge-offs |  |  | 5,981 |  |  |  | 24,921 |  |  |  | 8,162 |  |  |  | 7,338 |  |  |  | 18,724 |
Provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 7,652 |  |  |  | 9,822 |  |  |  | 5,571 |  |  |  | 5,978 |  |  |  | 18,287 |
Balance at December 31 |  | $ | 29,057 |  |  | $ | 27,386 |  |  | $ | 42,485 |  |  | $ | 45,076 |  |  | $ | 46,436 |
Credit quality ratios: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
As a percent of year-end loans, net of unearned income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan and lease losses |  |  | 1.12 | % |  |  | 1.10 | % |  |  | 1.62 | % |  |  | 1.61 | % |  |  | 1.71 | %
Nonperforming loans (1) |  |  | 0.56 | % |  |  | 0.44 | % |  |  | 1.08 | % |  |  | 0.70 | % |  |  | 0.96 | %
Nonperforming assets(2) |  |  | 0.67 | % |  |  | 0.53 | % |  |  | 1.20 | % |  |  | 0.75 | % |  |  | 1.06 | %
As a percent of average loans, net of unearned income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net charge-offs |  |  | 0.24 | % |  |  | 0.97 | % |  |  | 0.30 | % |  |  | 0.26 | % |  |  | 0.69 | %
Allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans |  |  | 197.94 | % |  |  | 252.82 | % |  |  | 149.76 | % |  |  | 230.19 | % |  |  | 177.86 | %

(1) |  | Includes nonaccrual and restructured loans.
(2) |  | Includes nonaccrual and restructured loans, as well as OREO.

26 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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Table 8 • Allocation Of The Allowance For Loan And Lease Losses

|  | December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005 |  | 2004 |  | 2003
|  |  |  |  |  | Percent of |  |  |  |  |  | Percent of |  |  |  |  |  | Percent of |  |  |  |  |  | Percent of |  |  |  |  |  | Percent of
|  |  |  |  |  | Loans to |  |  |  |  |  | Loans to |  |  |  |  |  | Loans to |  |  |  |  |  | Loans to |  |  |  |  |  | Loans to
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Allowance |  | Total Loans |  | Allowance |  | Total Loans |  | Allowance |  | Total Loans |  | Allowance |  | Total Loans |  | Allowance |  | Total Loans
Balance at End of Period Applicable to: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial |  | $ | 10,166 |  |  |  | 30 | % |  | $ | 10,415 |  |  |  | 27 | % |  | $ | 17,667 |  |  |  | 23 | % |  | $ | 11,660 |  |  |  | 23 | % |  | $ | 9,415 |  |  |  | 24 | %
Real estate — construction |  |  | 955 |  |  |  | 6 | % |  |  | 1,142 |  |  |  | 4 | % |  |  | 411 |  |  |  | 3 | % |  |  | 265 |  |  |  | 3 | % |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 3 | %
Real estate — mortgage |  |  | 12,181 |  |  |  | 48 | % |  |  | 9,917 |  |  |  | 51 | % |  |  | 19,187 |  |  |  | 54 | % |  |  | 16,771 |  |  |  | 53 | % |  |  | 14,949 |  |  |  | 52 | %
Installment, home equity & credit card |  |  | 5,747 |  |  |  | 16 | % |  |  | 5,830 |  |  |  | 18 | % |  |  | 4,788 |  |  |  | 20 | % |  |  | 12,769 |  |  |  | 21 | % |  |  | 10,228 |  |  |  | 21 | %
Lease financing |  |  | 8 |  |  |  | 0 | % |  |  | 82 |  |  |  | 0 | % |  |  | 432 |  |  |  | 0 | % |  |  | 252 |  |  |  | 0 | % |  |  | 269 |  |  |  | 0 | %
Unallocated |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | 3,359 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | 11,575 |  |  |  | N/A |
Total |  | $ | 29,057 |  |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 27,386 |  |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 42,485 |  |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 45,076 |  |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 46,436 |  |  |  | 100 | %

in that particular category of consumer loans. The estimate of losses is primarily based on historical loss rates for the category, as well as trends in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, prevailing economic conditions, and other influencing factors as discussed earlier in the Asset Quality section. Consumer loans are evaluated as an asset type within a category (i.e., residential real estate, installment, etc.), as these loans are smaller with more homogeneous characteristics.
In periods prior to 2005, the unallocated portion of the allowance consisted of dollar amounts specifically set aside for certain general factors influencing the level of the allowance. These factors, such as ratio trends, were not specifically allocated to each category. Establishing percentages for these factors was largely subjective, but was supported by economic data, changes made in lending functions, and other support where appropriate. In 2004, the unallocated portion decreased significantly, as a more comprehensive and refined model was adopted. In 2005, the model was further refined whereby the impact of national and economic factors, concentrations in market segments, loan documentation and analysis, and portfolio performance are now considered in the allowance allocation process and no unallocated allowance exists.
Nonperforming assets consist of nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, and other real estate owned (OREO). The level of nonaccrual and restructured loans is an important element in assessing asset quality. Loans are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful. The accrual of interest income is discontinued when the collection of a loan or interest, in whole or in part, is doubtful. Loans are classified as restructured when management, to protect its investment, grants concessions to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. See Table 6 — Nonperforming Assets for a summary of First Financial’s nonaccrual loans, restructured loans, and OREO properties.
2007 vs. 2006. Total nonperforming assets, as shown in Table 6 — Nonperforming Assets, increased $4.1 million to $17.3 million at December 31, 2007, from $13.2 million at December 31, 2006. Nonaccrual loans increased $3.9 million from 2006, while restructured loans remained relatively flat and OREO increased $0.3 million. The increase in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to increased commercial real estate, residential real estate, and home equity nonaccrual loans, offset with decreased installment nonaccrual loans. Nonperforming loans, as a percent of total loans, were 0.56% at December 31, 2007, compared to 0.44% at December 31, 2006. The allowance to nonperforming loans ratio was 197.9% at December 31, 2007, compared to 252.8% at December 31, 2006. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more increased to $0.3 million at December 31, 2007, from $0.2 million at December 31, 2006. A large percentage of underperforming assets are secured by real estate, and this collateral has been appropriately considered in establishing the allowance.
Net charge-offs in 2007 were $6.0 million, a decrease of $18.9 million from 2006, with the ratio of net charge-offs as a percent of average loans outstanding decreasing from 0.97% to 0.24% as shown in Table 7 — Summary of Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses and Selected Statistics. Excluding the impact of the transfer of $53.0 million of loans to loans held for sale, net charge-offs as a percent of average loans outstanding were 0.48% in 2006.
In the second quarter of 2005, First Financial made the strategic decision to discontinue the origination of residential real estate loans for retention on its balance sheet. As a result, the residential real estate portfolio has declined $174.3 million, excluding the impact of the loan sales, since that time. Earlier in 2007, First Financial sold the servicing of its remaining residential real estate portfolio and established an agreement to sell future originations to a strategic partner. Prior to this decision, First Financial was not a sub-prime lender, and the company does not originate sub-prime residential real estate loans in the current originate-and-sell model.
At December 31, 2007, the commercial real estate and real estate construction loan portfolio totaled $857.8 million, or 33.0% of total loans, including $91.9 million or 3.5% of total loans for commercial real estate construction, and $46.6 million or 1.8% of total loans, for residential construction and land acquisition and development. First Financial’s internal lending policies are key to limiting credit exposure from both the residential construction and land acquisition and development segments in any particular project. Most of the residential construction and land acquisition and development loans are in areas of relatively strong housing demand or with borrowers who have undergone an extensive underwriting process.
First Financial continually evaluates the commercial real estate and real estate construction portfolio for geographic and borrower concentrations, as well as loan-to-value coverage, and believes its credit underwriting processes are producing a prudent and acceptable level of credit exposure.
In 2007, First Financial experienced growth of 10.0% in the home equity loan portfolio. First Financial believes its underwriting criteria are rigid, and management monitors the portfolio by a number of metrics including credit scores, loan-to-value ratios, line size, and usage. More than 60% of the portfolio home equity loans have a FICO score greater than 740. During 2007, First Financial’s home equity loan portfolio experienced an increased level of nonaccrual loans, consistent with the industry and weaknesses in the consumer sector.
The allowance at December 31, 2007, was $29.1 million or 1.12% of loans, an increase of 2 basis points from 1.10% of loans at December 31, 2006. Provision for loan and lease loss expense of $7.7 million was $2.2 million lower in 2007 than in 2006. It is management’s belief that the allowance for loan and lease losses is adequate to absorb estimated credit losses in the loan and lease portfolio.
Investment Securities
First Financial’s investment securities at December 31, 2007, were $312.6 million, a $19.7 million or 5.9% decrease from the $332.3 million balance at December 31, 2006. The 2007 decrease was primarily a result of decreased mortgage-backed securities (MBSs) and obligations of state and other political subdivisions, somewhat offset by increases in securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations.
In February of 2006, First Financial restructured its balance sheet including the sale of $179.0 million in investment securities, the proceeds of which were used to pay down $184.0 million of FHLB borrowings. The investment securities sold were primarily fixed-rate government agency and MBSs with book yields below 4.0%. The effect of the February of 2006 balance sheet restructure included a write-down in the value of investment securities of approximately $6.5 million at December 31, 2005, a prepayment penalty for the early payoff of FHLB advances recorded in the first quarter of 2006 of $4.3 million, and $0.5 million in additional losses on sales of investment securities in the first quarter of 2006.
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 27

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Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
Table 9 • Investment Securities As Of December 31, 2007

|  | Maturing |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | After one but |  |  | After five but |  |  |  |
|  | Within one year |  |  | within five years |  |  | within ten years |  |  | After ten years |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Amount |  |  | Yield (1) |  |  | Amount |  |  | Yield (1) |  |  | Amount |  |  | Yield (1) |  |  | Amount |  |  | Yield (1) |
Held-to-Maturity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mortgage-backed securities |  | $ | 22 |  |  |  | 6.51 | % |  | $ | 75 |  |  |  | 12.59 | % |  | $ | 86 |  |  |  | 6.28 | % |  | $ | 91 |  |  |  | 5.88 | %
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions |  |  | 382 |  |  |  | 6.38 | % |  |  | 1,492 |  |  |  | 6.32 | % |  |  | 2,456 |  |  |  | 7.35 | % |  |  | 1,035 |  |  |  | 7.83 | %
Total |  | $ | 404 |  |  |  | 6.39 | % |  | $ | 1,567 |  |  |  | 6.62 | % |  | $ | 2,542 |  |  |  | 7.31 | % |  | $ | 1,126 |  |  |  | 7.67 | %
Available-for-Sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities of other U.S. government agencies and corporations |  | $ | 14,992 |  |  |  | 4.69 | % |  | $ | 20,049 |  |  |  | 5.09 | % |  | $ | 50,713 |  |  |  | 5.57 | % |  | $ | 35 |  |  |  | 5.71 | %
Mortgage-backed securities |  |  | 1,349 |  |  |  | 6.58 | % |  |  | 11,813 |  |  |  | 4.56 | % |  |  | 49,056 |  |  |  | 4.88 | % |  |  | 89,557 |  |  |  | 5.29 | %
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions |  |  | 6,144 |  |  |  | 7.10 | % |  |  | 16,469 |  |  |  | 7.43 | % |  |  | 36,089 |  |  |  | 7.30 | % |  |  | 1,659 |  |  |  | 7.62 | %
Other securities |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 218 |  |  |  | 6.35 | % |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 8,785 |  |  |  | 7.56 | %
Total |  | $ | 22,485 |  |  |  | 5.46 | % |  | $ | 48,549 |  |  |  | 5.75 | % |  | $ | 135,858 |  |  |  | 5.78 | % |  | $ | 100,036 |  |  |  | 5.55 | %

(1) |  | Tax equivalent basis was calculated using a 35.00% tax rate and yields were based on amortized cost.

Securities issued by U.S. government agencies and corporations, primarily the FHLB, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), and Federal Farm Credit Bank represented 27.4% and 19.0% of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively. All U.S. government agencies and corporations’ securities were classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2007, and 2006. Due to the government guarantees, either expressed or implied, U.S. government agency and corporation obligations are considered to have a low credit risk and high liquidity profile.
Investments in MBSs, including collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), represented 48.6% and 55.0% of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively. MBSs represent participations in pools of residential real estate loans, the principal and interest payments of which are passed through to the security investors. Among other factors, several of the portfolio criteria have been to avoid securities backed by sub-prime assets and also those containing assets that would give rise to material geographic concentrations. MBSs are subject to prepayment risk, especially during periods of falling interest rates. Prepayments of the underlying residential real estate loans may shorten the lives of the securities, thereby affecting yields to maturity and market values. First Financial invests primarily in MBSs issued by U.S. government agencies and corporations, such as Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), FHLMC, and FNMA. Such securities, because of government agency guarantees, are considered to have a low credit risk and high liquidity profile. Accordingly, 99.8% of First Financial’s MBSs are classified as available-for-sale at both December 31, 2007, and 2006.
CMOs totaled $2.1 million at December 31, 2007, and $3.8 million at December 31, 2006, all of which were classified as available-for-sale. The decrease in CMOs was due to prepayment activity. All CMOs held by First Financial are AAA rated by Standard & Poor’s Corporation or similar rating agencies, and First Financial does not own any interest-only securities, principal-only securities, or inverse floaters.
Securities of state and other political subdivisions comprised 21.0% and 24.1% of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively. The securities are diversified as to states and issuing authorities within states, thereby decreasing portfolio risk. At December 31, 2007, and 2006, 91.8% and 90.6%, respectively, of such investments were classified as available-for-sale.
Other securities, 3.0% and 1.9% of First Financial’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively, were primarily composed of equity securities of government sponsored entities, taxable obligations of state and other political subdivisions, Community Reinvestment Act qualified mutual funds, and a small private equity fund.
The estimated maturities and weighted-average yields of the held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities as of December 31, 2007, are shown in Table 9 — Investment Securities as of December 31, 2007. Tax-equivalent adjustments, using a 35.0% rate, have been made in calculating yields on tax-exempt obligations of state and other political subdivisions.
At December 31, 2007, the market value of First Financial’s held-to-maturity investment securities portfolio exceeded the carrying value by $0.2 million. The available-for-sale investment securities are reported at their market value of $306.9 million, as required by SFAS No. 115. At December 31, 2006, the market value of First Financial’s held-to-maturity investment securities portfolio exceeded the carrying value by $0.2 million. The available-for-sale investment securities are reported at their market value of $324.3 million. See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The other investments category in the Consolidated Balance Sheets reflects First Financial’s investment in the stock of the Federal Reserve Bank and the FHLB.
First Financial’s federal funds sold increased slightly from $102.0 million at December 31, 2006, to $107.0 million at December 31, 2007. First Financial monitors this position as part of its asset/liability and liquidity management process.
Derivatives
The use of derivative instruments allows First Financial to meet the needs of its clients while managing the interest-rate risk associated with certain transactions. First Financial’s board of directors has authorized the use of certain derivative products, including interest rate caps, floors, and swaps. Currently, First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps as a means to offer commercial borrowers products that meet their needs, but also are designed to achieve First Financial’s desired interest-rate risk profile at the time.
The net interest receivable or payable on the interest rate swaps is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to the interest income or interest expense of the hedged item. The fair value of the interest rate swaps is included within accrued interest and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The corresponding fair-value adjustment is also included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the carrying value of the hedged item. Derivative gains and losses not considered effective in hedging the change in fair value of the hedged item are recognized immediately in income.
The swap agreements generally involve the net receipt by First Financial of floating-rate amounts in exchange for net payments by First Financial, through its loan clients, of fixed-rate amounts over the life of the agreements without an exchange of the underlying principal or notional amount. This results in First Financial’s loan clients receiving fixed rate funding, while providing First Financial with a floating rate asset. The notional amount only establishes the basis on which interest payments are exchanged with counterparties. As only interest rate payments are exchanged, cash requirements and credit risk are significantly less than the notional
28 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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amounts. First Financial’s credit risk exposure is limited to the market value of the instrument. First Financial manages the credit risk through counterparty credit policies and at December 31, 2007, had bilateral collateral agreements in place with its counterparties.
As of December 31, 2007, there were no delinquent amounts due and First Financial had never experienced a credit loss related to these agreements. First Financial had $0.9 million and $0 deposited as cash collateral with its counterparties as of December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively. This cash collateral is held at commercial banks and earns a rate of interest generally equal to the overnight Federal Funds interest rate.
As of December 31, 2007, First Financial had interest rate swaps with a notional value of $131.9 million, compared to a notional value of $80.8 million at December 31, 2006.
Deposits
First Financial solicits deposits by offering a wide variety of savings and transaction accounts, including checking, regular savings, money-market deposit, and time deposits of various maturities and rates.
2007 vs. 2006. Total deposits at December 31, 2007, were $2.89 billion as compared to December 31, 2006 at $2.80 billion, a $96.2 million or 3.4% increase. Increases in savings deposits of $70.0 million, time deposits of $48.1 million, and noninterest-bearing deposits of $41.6 million were somewhat offset by a decrease in interest-bearing demand deposits of $63.5 million.
The consumer’s preference for higher-yielding money market and time deposits, rather than more traditional transaction accounts, remains and continues to result in shifts in deposit mix. Total average deposits for 2007 decreased $48.2 million or 1.7% from 2006. Increases in average savings deposits of $48.3 million and average time deposits of $3.1 million were more than offset by decreases in average interest-bearing demand deposits of $82.3 million and average noninterest-bearing deposits of $17.3 million. Overall average deposits decreased primarily due to the impact of the third quarter of 2006 banking center sales. Excluding the $74.6 million of average deposit balances included with the banking center sales in the third quarter of 2006, 2007 average deposits increased $26.4 million from 2006.
Table 10— Maturities of Time Deposits Greater Than or Equal to $0.1 million shows the contractual maturity of time deposits of $0.1 million and over that were outstanding at December 31, 2007. These deposits represented 10.1% of total deposits.
Table 10 • Maturities Of Time Deposits Greater Than Or Equal To $0.1 Million

|  | December 31, |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |
Certificates of Deposit |  |  |  |
Maturing in |  |  |  |
3 months or less |  | $ | 82,662 |
3 months to 6 months |  |  | 49,517 |
6 months to 12 months |  |  | 77,621 |
over 12 months |  |  | 42,395 |
Total |  | $ | 252,195 |
IRAs |  |  |  |
Maturing in |  |  |  |
3 months or less |  | $ | 1,466 |
3 months to 6 months |  |  | 2,172 |
6 months to 12 months |  |  | 9,226 |
over 12 months |  |  | 26,319 |
Total |  | $ | 39,183 |

Borrowings
2007 vs. 2006. Short-term borrowings increased slightly to $98.3 million at December 31, 2007, from $96.7 million at December 31, 2006. Long-term borrowings decreased $28.2 million to $66.5 million at December 31, 2007, from $94.7 million at December 31, 2006.
Other long-term debt which appears on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts. Capital securities were issued in the third quarters of 2003 and 2002 by statutory business trusts — First Financial (OH) Statutory Trust II and First Financial (OH) Statutory Trust I, respectively. The debentures issued in 2002, with a final maturity of 2032, were first eligible for early redemption by First Financial in September of 2007. At the date of early redemption, First Financial redeemed all the underlying capital securities relating to Trust I. The total outstanding capital securities redeemed were $10.0 million. The debentures issued in 2003, with a final maturity of 2033, are first eligible for early redemption by First Financial in September of 2008.
First Financial owns 100% of the common equity of the remaining trust , Trust II. The trust was formed with the sole purpose of issuing the capital securities and investing the proceeds from the sale of such capital securities in the debentures. The debentures held by the trust are the sole asset of the trust. Distributions on the capital securities are payable quarterly at a variable rate of interest, which is equal to the interest rate being earned by the trust on the debentures, and are recorded as interest expense of First Financial. The capital securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the debentures. First Financial has entered into agreements which, taken collectively, fully or unconditionally guarantee the capital securities subject to the terms of the guarantees. The debenture currently qualifies as Tier I capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines, but is limited to 25% of qualifying tier 1 capital.
The amount outstanding, net of offering costs, as of December 31, 2007, is $20.0 million. These funds were used to repurchase First Financial stock, for other general corporate purposes, and as a means to diversify funding sources at the parent company level. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on borrowings and Note 12 for additional information on capital.
Pension Plan
First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined-benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. Plan assets are administered by the Wealth Resource Group and primarily consist of equity and debt mutual funds, as well as money market funds. Approximately 50.2% of plan assets at December 31, 2006 were invested in various funds operated by the Legacy Funds for which Capital Advisors serves as investment advisor. During 2007, the Legacy Funds were renamed to First Funds. At December 31, 2007, 86.2% of plan assets were invested in the First Funds for which Capital Advisors also serves as investment advisor. The 2007 percentage increase is due to the $22.0 million First Financial contributed to its pension plan in December of 2006, which was initially invested in money market funds at year-end, but was subsequently invested in Legacy Funds in the first quarter of 2007. The pension plan does not own any shares of First Financial common stock, directly or through an equity fund.
Effective in the third quarter of 2007, First Financial amended the defined benefit pension plan formula to change the determination of participant benefits from a final average earnings plan to a cash balance plan. Pension plan participants prior to July 1, 2007, transitioned to the amended plan on January 1, 2008. After July 1, 2007, newly eligible participants entered the amended plan upon their eligibility date.
The significant assumptions used in the pension plan include the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, and the rate of compensation increase. The discount rate assumption was determined using published December 31, 2007, Corporate Bond Indices, projected cash flows of the pension plan, and comparisons to external industry surveys for reasonableness. The basis used to determine the overall expected long-term return on plan assets was based on the composition of plan assets and a consensus of estimates from similarly managed portfolios of expected future returns. The expected return on plan assets was 8.5% in both 2007 and 2006. First Financial will continue to monitor the return on plan assets and the investment vehicle used to fund the plan. The rate of compensation increase is compared to historical increases for plan participants.
In accordance with FASB Statement No. 88 (SFAS No. 88), “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits,” First Financial recorded a pension settlement charge of $2.2 million in 2007 and a pension settlement and curtailment charge of $3.0 million in 2006. These charges were a result of First Financial’s staff
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 29

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Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
reductions in 2006 and 2007, and are an acceleration of costs that were previously deferred under pension accounting rules and would have been recognized in future periods. First Financial recorded pension expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income of $4.5 million, $7.9 million, and $5.3 million for 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively, inclusive of the pension settlement and curtailment charges discussed above. Cash contributions to fund the pension plan were $0, $28.6 million, and $5.6 million for 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. The plan assets were 114.6% of the plan obligations at December 31, 2007, and due to the funded status of the plan, First Financial does not expect to make any contribution to its pension plan in 2008.
Liquidity
Liquidity management is the process by which First Financial manages the continuing flow of funds necessary to meet its financial commitments on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost. These funding commitments include withdrawals by depositors, credit commitments to borrowers, shareholder dividends, expenses of its operations, and capital expenditures. Liquidity is is closely monitored and managed by First Financial’s Asset and Liability Committee (ALCO), a group of senior officers from the lending, deposit gathering, finance, risk management, and treasury areas. It is ALCO’s responsibility to ensure First Financial has the necessary level of funds available for normal operations as well as maintain a contingency funding policy to ensure that liquidity stress events are quickly identified, and management plans are in place to respond. This is accomplished through the use of policies which establish limits and require measurements to monitor liquidity trends, including management reporting that identifies the amounts and costs of all available funding sources.
Liquidity is derived primarily from deposit growth, principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities, maturing loans and investment securities, access to wholesale funding sources, and collateralized borrowings. First Financial’s most stable source of liability-funded liquidity for both the long and short-term needs is deposit growth and retention of the core deposit base. The deposit base is diversified among individuals, partnerships, corporations, public entities, and geographic markets. This diversification helps First Financial minimize dependence on large concentrations of funding sources.
Capital expenditures, such as banking center expansions and technology investments, were $7.6 million for 2007, $15.6 million for 2006, and $12.4 million for 2005. Management believes that First Financial has sufficient liquidity to fund its future capital expenditure commitments.
In addition, from time to time, First Financial utilizes advances from the FHLB as a funding source. At December 31, 2007, and 2006, total long-term borrowings from the FHLB were $45.9 million and $63.8 million, respectively. The total available remaining borrowing capacity from the FHLB at December 31, 2007, was $369.2 million.
As of December 31, 2007, First Financial has pledged certain residential real estate loans totaling $565.5 million as collateral for borrowings to the FHLB. For ease of borrowing execution, First Financial utilizes a blanket collateral agreement with the FHLB.
The principal source of asset-funded liquidity is marketable investment securities, particularly those with shorter maturities. The market value of investment securities classified as available-for-sale totaled $306.9 million at December 31, 2007. Securities classified as held-to-maturity that are maturing within a short period of time are also a source of liquidity. Securities classified as held-to-maturity that are maturing in one year or less totaled $0.4 million at December 31, 2007. In addition, other types of assets such as cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell, as well as loans and interest-bearing deposits with other banks maturing within one year, are sources of liquidity. Overnight federal funds sold totaled $107.0 million at December 31, 2007.
Certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of First Financial’s subsidiaries to transfer funds to First Financial in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances. The approval of the subsidiaries’ respective primary federal regulators is required for First Financial’s subsidiaries to pay dividends in excess of regulatory limitations. Dividends paid to First Financial from its subsidiaries totaled $31.7 million, $40.8 million, and $41.8 million for the years 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, First Financial’s subsidiaries had retained earnings of $136.0 million of which $1.5 million was available for distribution to First Financial without prior regulatory approval. Management is not aware of any other events or regulatory requirements that, if implemented, are likely to have a material effect on First Financial’s liquidity.
First Financial Bancorp maintains a short-term revolving credit facility with an unaffiliated bank. This facility provides First Financial additional liquidity for various corporate activities, including the repurchase of First Financial shares and the payment of dividends to shareholders. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance was $72.0 million compared to an outstanding balance of $39.5 million as of December 31, 2006. The outstanding balance of this line varies throughout the year depending on First Financial’s cash needs. The average outstanding balance was $58.0 million for 2007 and $39.7 million for 2006. First Financial entered into the credit facility for $75.0 million during the first quarter of 2007 for a period of one year, and in the third quarter of 2007 increased the line to $85.0 million until February 1, 2008, at which time it was reduced back to $75.0 million. The credit agreement requires First Financial to maintain certain covenants including those related to asset quality and capital levels. First Financial was in full compliance with all covenants as of December 31, 2007, and 2006.
First Financial Bancorp makes quarterly interest payments on its junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts. Interest expense related to this other long-term debt totaled $2.4 million, $2.6 million, and $2.0 million in the years 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.
Interest-Rate Sensitivity
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and equity prices. The primary source of market risk for First Financial is interest-rate risk. Interest-rate risk arises in the normal course of business to the extent that there is a divergence between the amount of First Financial’s interest-earning assets and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities that are prepaid/withdrawn, re-price, or mature in specified periods. First Financial seeks to achieve consistent growth in net interest income and capital while managing volatility arising from shifts in market interest rates. The ALCO oversees market risk management, establishing risk measures, limits, and policy guidelines for managing the amount of interest-rate risk and its effect on net interest income and capital.
Interest-rate risk for First Financial’s Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of repricing, option, and basis risks. Repricing risk results from differences in the maturity, or repricing, of interest-bearing assets and liabilities. Option risk in financial instruments arises from embedded options such as loan prepayments, early withdrawal of Certificates of Deposits, and calls on investments and debt instruments that are primarily driven by third party or client behavior. Basis risk refers to the potential for changes in the underlying relationship between market rates or indices, which subsequently result in a narrowing of the net interest margin. Basis risk is also present in managed rate liabilities, such as interest-bearing checking accounts and savings accounts, where historical pricing relationships to market rates may change due to the level or directional change in market interest rates, or competitive pressures.
Table 11 — Market Risk Disclosure projects the principal maturities and yields of First Financial interest-bearing financial instruments at December 31, 2007, for the next five years and thereafter. Also included with each category is the fair value of the instruments. For loans, securities, and liabilities with contractual maturities, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by contractual maturities. For loan instruments without contractual maturities, such as credit card loans, principal payments are allocated based on historical trends of payment activity. Maturities for interest-bearing liability accounts with no set maturity are estimated according to historical experience of cash flows and current expectations of client behaviors. For interest rate swaps, the table includes notional amounts and weighted-average interest rates by contractual maturity dates. The variable receiving rates are indexed to the one-month London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread.
30 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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Table 11 • Market Risk Disclosure

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | FAIR VALUE
|  | Principal Amount Maturing In: |  | December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2008 |  | 2009 |  | 2010 |  | 2011 |  | 2012 |  | THEREAFTER |  | TOTAL |  | 2007
Rate sensitive assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed interest rate loans(1) |  |  | 137,300 |  |  |  | 116,188 |  |  |  | 90,305 |  |  |  | 105,794 |  |  |  | 100,730 |  |  |  | 264,525 |  |  |  | 814,842 |  |  |  | 826,689 |
Average interest rate |  |  | 6.72 | % |  |  | 6.79 | % |  |  | 7.71 | % |  |  | 6.92 | % |  |  | 6.83 | % |  |  | 6.07 | % |  |  | 6.67 | % |  |  |  |
Variable interest rate loans(1) |  |  | 610,705 |  |  |  | 251,130 |  |  |  | 417,437 |  |  |  | 114,791 |  |  |  | 108,716 |  |  |  | 282,981 |  |  |  | 1,785,760 |  |  |  | 1,778,831 |
Average interest rate |  |  | 6.91 | % |  |  | 6.37 | % |  |  | 7.32 | % |  |  | 6.82 | % |  |  | 6.92 | % |  |  | 6.85 | % |  |  | 6.92 | % |  |  |  |
Fixed interest rate securities |  |  | 21,671 |  |  |  | 6,138 |  |  |  | 10,676 |  |  |  | 10,153 |  |  |  | 23,035 |  |  |  | 239,847 |  |  |  | 311,520 |  |  |  | 311,695 |
Average interest rate |  |  | 5.41 | % |  |  | 7.37 | % |  |  | 5.17 | % |  |  | 6.18 | % |  |  | 5.49 | % |  |  | 5.62 | % |  |  | 5.63 | % |  |  |  |
Variable interest rate securities |  |  | 1,218 |  |  |  | 60 |  |  |  | 35 |  |  |  | 6 |  |  |  | 13 |  |  |  | 33,684 |  |  |  | 35,016 |  |  |  | 35,016 |
Average interest rate |  |  | 6.63 | % |  |  | 4.63 | % |  |  | 5.71 | % |  |  | 5.86 | % |  |  | 5.75 | % |  |  | 6.51 | % |  |  | 6.51 | % |  |  |  |
Other earning assets |  |  | 106,990 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 106,990 |  |  |  | 106,990 |
Average interest rate |  |  | 4.33 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 4.33 | % |  |  |  |
Rate sensitive liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noninterest-bearing checking |  |  | 465,731 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 465,731 |  |  |  | 465,731 |
Savings and interest-bearing checking |  |  | 120,051 |  |  |  | 1,080,455 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 1,200,506 |  |  |  | 1,200,506 |
Average interest rate |  |  | 1.77 | % |  |  | 1.77 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 1.77 | % |  |  |  |
Time deposits |  |  | 807,351 |  |  |  | 266,061 |  |  |  | 51,050 |  |  |  | 41,518 |  |  |  | 42,202 |  |  |  | 19,772 |  |  |  | 1,227,954 |  |  |  | 1,239,278 |
Average interest rate |  |  | 4.56 | % |  |  | 4.71 | % |  |  | 4.11 | % |  |  | 4.48 | % |  |  | 4.75 | % |  |  | 3.64 | % |  |  | 4.56 | % |  |  |  |
Fixed interest rate borrowings |  |  | 9,493 |  |  |  | 15,000 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 21,403 |  |  |  | 45,896 |  |  |  | 43,380 |
Average interest rate |  |  | 3.66 | % |  |  | 3.49 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 3.79 | % |  |  | 3.67 | % |  |  |  |
Variable interest rate borrowings |  |  | 98,289 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 20,620 |  |  |  | 118,909 |  |  |  | 118,909 |
Average interest rate |  |  | 4.58 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 0.00 | % |  |  | 7.93 | % |  |  | 5.16 | % |  |  |  |
Interest rate derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed to variable |  |  | 1,597 |  |  |  | 1,645 |  |  |  | 1,446 |  |  |  | 4,254 |  |  |  | 1,515 |  |  |  | 18,446 |  |  |  | 28,903 |  |  |  | (787 | )
Average pay rate (fixed) |  |  | 6.60 | % |  |  | 6.60 | % |  |  | 6.83 | % |  |  | 7.12 | % |  |  | 6.76 | % |  |  | 6.83 | % |  |  | 6.84 | % |  |  |  |
Average receive rate (variable) |  |  | 7.46 | % |  |  | 7.46 | % |  |  | 7.47 | % |  |  | 7.34 | % |  |  | 7.47 | % |  |  | 7.23 | % |  |  | 7.31 | % |  |  |  |

(1) |  | Includes loans held for sale

The interest-rate risk position is measured and monitored using income simulation models and economic value of equity sensitivity analysis that capture both short-term and long-term interest-rate risk exposure. Income simulation involves forecasting net interest income under a variety of interest rate scenarios including instantaneous shocks.
Presented below is the estimated impact on First Financial’s net interest income as of December 31, 2007, assuming immediate, parallel shifts in interest rates:

|  | -200 basis |  |  | -100 basis |  |  | +100 basis |  |  | +200 basis |
|  | points |  |  | points |  |  | points |  |  | points |
December 31, 2007 |  |  | (10.84 | %) |  |  | (3.61 | %) |  |  | 2.37 | % |  |  | 4.26 | %

Modeling the sensitivity of net interest income to changes in market interest rates is highly dependent on numerous assumptions incorporated into the modeling process. Market based prepayment speeds are factored into the analysis for loan and securities portfolios. Rate sensitivity for transactional deposit accounts is modeled based on both historical experience and external industry studies.
First Financial uses economic value of equity sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of interest rate changes on long-term cash flows, income, and capital. Economic value of equity is based on discounting the cash flows for all balance sheet instruments under different interest rate scenarios. Deposit premiums are based on external industry studies and utilizing historical experience.
Presented below is the change in First Financial’s economic value of equity position as of December 31, 2007, assuming immediate, parallel shifts in interest rates:

|  | -200 basis |  |  | -100 basis |  |  | +100 basis |  |  | +200 basis |
|  | points |  |  | points |  |  | points |  |  | points |
December 31, 2007 |  |  | (23.35 | %) |  |  | (8.88 | %) |  |  | 3.58 | % |  |  | 4.55 | %

First Financial, utilizing interest rates primarily based upon external industry studies, models additional scenarios covering the next twelve months. Based on these scenarios, First Financial has a relatively neutral rate risk position of a negative 0.51% when compared to a base-case scenario with interest rates held constant.
Capital
Total shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2007, was $276.6 million compared to total shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2006, of $285.5 million. This $8.9 million or 3.1% decrease was primarily due to First Financial’s repurchase of its common stock totaling $27.3 million and cash dividends declared of $24.9 million, offset by current year income of $35.7 million and the SFAS No. 158 net pension and other postretirement benefit plans adjustment of $5.5 million. For further detail, see the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity.
On January 25, 2000, the board of directors authorized First Financial to repurchase the number of common shares necessary to satisfy any restricted stock awards or stock options that are granted from time to time under the 1999 Stock Incentive Option Plan for Officers and Employees and the 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors. In 2007, the plan was amended to allow for the purchase of shares for general corporate purposes. Under this plan, First Financial repurchased 1,612,285 shares in 2007, 276,000 shares in 2001, and 650,110 shares in 2000. The total number of shares that can be repurchased over the life of the ten-year plan may not exceed 7,507,500 shares. At December 31, 2007, 4,969,105 shares remained available for purchase under this program.
On February 26, 2002, the board of directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to 5% of First Financial’s common shares outstanding. This program was intended to provide shares for general corporate purposes including the payment of future stock dividends. Repurchase activity under this plan was 1,053,699 shares in 2003 and 1,272,205 shares in 2002. The shares repurchased in 2003 completed this program.
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 31

#####

Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
Table 12 • Contractual Obligations

|  | Payments due by period
|  |  |  |  |  | Less than |  | One to three |  | Three to five |  | More than
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Total |  | one year |  | years |  | years |  | five years
Contractual Obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt obligations (including interest) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings |  | $ | 59,303 |  |  | $ | 6,949 |  |  | $ | 21,016 |  |  | $ | 1,623 |  |  | $ | 29,715 |
Junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts |  |  | 41,439 |  |  |  | 1,613 |  |  |  | 3,216 |  |  |  | 3,220 |  |  |  | 33,390 |
Operating lease obligations |  |  | 9,751 |  |  |  | 1,649 |  |  |  | 2,616 |  |  |  | 2,063 |  |  |  | 3,423 |
Total |  | $ | 110,493 |  |  | $ | 10,211 |  |  | $ | 26,848 |  |  | $ | 6,906 |  |  | $ | 66,528 |

On February 25, 2003, First Financial’s board of directors authorized an additional stock repurchase program to repurchase up to 5% of its shares outstanding upon the completion of the February 26, 2002, program. Under this plan, First Financial repurchased 387,715 shares in 2007, 404,000 shares in 2006, 916,000 shares in 2005, 358,999 shares in 2004, and 177,001 shares in 2003. The shares repurchased in 2007 completed this program.
On December 9, 2005, the final results for the modified Dutch Auction tender offer were announced. First Financial repurchased 3,250,000 shares at a price of $19.00 per share. The modified Dutch Auction tender offer was approved by First Financial’s board of directors on August 23, 2005. The Modified Dutch Auction tender procedure allowed shareholders to select the price within the specified range at which each shareholder was willing to sell all or a portion of his or her shares to First Financial. Based on the number of shares tendered and the prices specified by the tendering shareholders, First Financial determined the single per share price within the range that would allow it to repurchase the 3,250,000 shares. The tender offer allowed First Financial to maintain a strong capital position and preserve financial flexibility, while enhancing shareholder value.
At this time, First Financial does not plan on repurchasing any of its shares in 2008.
The dividend payout ratio was 69.9%, 118.5%, and 71.9% for the years 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. The dividend payout ratio is continually reviewed by management and the board of directors for consistency with First Financial’s overall capital plan and compliance with applicable regulatory limitations.
First Financial has consistently maintained regulatory capital ratios at or above the level that results in its classification as “well-capitalized.” For further detail on capital ratios, see Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
First Financial’s Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared based on the application of accounting policies, the most significant of which are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. These policies require the reliance on estimates and assumptions. Changes in underlying factors, assumptions, or estimates in any of these areas could have a material impact on First Financial’s future financial condition and results of operations. In management’s opinion, some of these areas have a more significant impact than others on First Financial’s financial reporting. For First Financial, these areas currently include accounting for the allowance for loan and lease losses, income taxes, pension, and goodwill and other intangible assets. Pages 25 through 27 of this annual report provide management’s analysis of the allowance for loan and lease losses, page 24 of this annual report provides management’s analysis of income taxes, and pages 29 through 30 of this annual report provide management’s analysis of the pension plan.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this report that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (the Act). In addition, certain statements in future filings by First Financial with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of First Financial which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act.
Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items, statements of plans and objectives of First Financial or its management or board of directors, and statements of future economic performances and statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, management’s ability to effectively execute its business plan; the risk that the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which First Financial conducts operations may be different than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit quality or a reduced demand for credit, including the resultant effect on First Financial’s loan portfolio and allowance for loan and lease losses; the effects of and changes in policies and laws of regulatory agencies; inflation, interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations; technological changes; mergers and acquisitions; the ability to increase market share and control expenses; the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies as well as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission; the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation; and the success of First Financial at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.
Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made, and First Financial undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
32 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

Statistical Information (Unaudited)

|  | 2007 |  |  | 2006 |  |  | 2005 |
|  | Balance |  |  | Interest |  |  | Yield |  |  | Balance |  |  | Interest |  |  | Yield |  |  | Balance |  |  | Interest |  |  | Yield |
Earning assets |  | Daily average balances and interest rates (Tax equivalent basis; dollars in thousands):
Loans (1), (4) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial (2) |  | $ | 739,884 |  |  | $ | 69,101 |  |  |  | 9.34 | % |  | $ | 630,658 |  |  | $ | 57,242 |  |  |  | 9.08 | % |  |  | 604,058 |  |  | $ | 44,391 |  |  |  | 7.35 | %
Real estate |  |  | 1,379,342 |  |  |  | 79,662 |  |  |  | 5.78 | % |  |  | 1,444,831 |  |  |  | 83,719 |  |  |  | 5.79 | % |  |  | 1,560,118 |  |  |  | 88,655 |  |  |  | 5.68 | %
Installment and other consumer |  |  | 427,051 |  |  |  | 34,215 |  |  |  | 8.01 | % |  |  | 494,946 |  |  |  | 36,980 |  |  |  | 7.47 | % |  |  | 588,001 |  |  |  | 39,476 |  |  |  | 6.71 | %
Lease financing (2) |  |  | 621 |  |  |  | 66 |  |  |  | 10.63 | % |  |  | 1,500 |  |  |  | 182 |  |  |  | 12.13 | % |  |  | 3,616 |  |  |  | 469 |  |  |  | 12.97 | %
Total loans |  |  | 2,546,898 |  |  |  | 183,044 |  |  |  | 7.19 | % |  |  | 2,571,935 |  |  |  | 178,123 |  |  |  | 6.93 | % |  |  | 2,755,793 |  |  |  | 172,991 |  |  |  | 6.28 | %
Investment securities (3) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Taxable |  |  | 285,645 |  |  |  | 14,961 |  |  |  | 5.24 | % |  |  | 318,090 |  |  |  | 16,592 |  |  |  | 5.22 | % |  |  | 528,528 |  |  |  | 21,497 |  |  |  | 4.07 | %
Tax-exempt (2) |  |  | 72,158 |  |  |  | 5,449 |  |  |  | 7.55 | % |  |  | 89,026 |  |  |  | 6,373 |  |  |  | 7.16 | % |  |  | 105,699 |  |  |  | 7,491 |  |  |  | 7.09 | %
Total investment securities (3) |  |  | 357,803 |  |  |  | 20,410 |  |  |  | 5.70 | % |  |  | 407,116 |  |  |  | 22,965 |  |  |  | 5.64 | % |  |  | 634,227 |  |  |  | 28,988 |  |  |  | 4.57 | %
Federal funds sold |  |  | 104,165 |  |  |  | 5,269 |  |  |  | 5.06 | % |  |  | 141,347 |  |  |  | 7,092 |  |  |  | 5.02 | % |  |  | 46,224 |  |  |  | 1,701 |  |  |  | 3.68 | %
Total earning assets |  |  | 3,008,866 |  |  |  | 208,723 |  |  |  | 6.94 | % |  |  | 3,120,398 |  |  |  | 208,180 |  |  |  | 6.67 | % |  |  | 3,436,244 |  |  |  | 203,680 |  |  |  | 5.93 | %
Nonearning assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan and lease losses |  |  | (28,263 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (35,959 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (43,287 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and due from banks |  |  | 89,780 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 113,553 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 123,874 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accrued interest and other assets |  |  | 239,657 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 234,669 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 294,392 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total assets |  | $ | 3,310,040 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 3,432,661 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 3,811,223 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest-bearing liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deposits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest-bearing demand |  | $ | 623,110 |  |  |  | 12,513 |  |  |  | 2.01 | % |  | $ | 705,435 |  |  |  | 15,310 |  |  |  | 2.17 | % |  | $ | 668,655 |  |  |  | 7,148 |  |  |  | 1.07 | %
Savings |  |  | 578,579 |  |  |  | 11,016 |  |  |  | 1.90 | % |  |  | 530,274 |  |  |  | 7,301 |  |  |  | 1.38 | % |  |  | 541,758 |  |  |  | 3,281 |  |  |  | 0.61 | %
Time |  |  | 1,229,297 |  |  |  | 55,655 |  |  |  | 4.53 | % |  |  | 1,226,205 |  |  |  | 47,401 |  |  |  | 3.87 | % |  |  | 1,266,139 |  |  |  | 38,225 |  |  |  | 3.02 | %
Total interest-bearing deposits |  |  | 2,430,986 |  |  |  | 79,184 |  |  |  | 3.26 | % |  |  | 2,461,914 |  |  |  | 70,012 |  |  |  | 2.84 | % |  |  | 2,476,552 |  |  |  | 48,654 |  |  |  | 1.96 | %
Borrowed funds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term borrowings |  |  | 92,709 |  |  |  | 4,232 |  |  |  | 4.56 | % |  |  | 93,306 |  |  |  | 3,768 |  |  |  | 4.04 | % |  |  | 90,969 |  |  |  | 1,961 |  |  |  | 2.16 | %
Federal Home Loan Bank long-term debt |  |  | 57,458 |  |  |  | 2,099 |  |  |  | 3.65 | % |  |  | 102,910 |  |  |  | 4,062 |  |  |  | 3.95 | % |  |  | 321,676 |  |  |  | 15,078 |  |  |  | 4.69 | %
Other long-term debt |  |  | 28,190 |  |  |  | 2,427 |  |  |  | 8.61 | % |  |  | 30,930 |  |  |  | 2,610 |  |  |  | 8.44 | % |  |  | 30,930 |  |  |  | 2,037 |  |  |  | 6.59 | %
Total borrowed funds |  |  | 178,357 |  |  |  | 8,758 |  |  |  | 4.91 | % |  |  | 227,146 |  |  |  | 10,440 |  |  |  | 4.60 | % |  |  | 443,575 |  |  |  | 19,076 |  |  |  | 4.30 | %
Total interest-bearing liabilities |  |  | 2,609,343 |  |  |  | 87,942 |  |  |  | 3.37 | % |  |  | 2,689,060 |  |  |  | 80,452 |  |  |  | 2.99 | % |  |  | 2,920,127 |  |  |  | 67,730 |  |  |  | 2.32 | %
Noninterest-bearing liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits |  |  | 397,918 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 415,211 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 430,231 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other liabilities |  |  | 22,504 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 30,163 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 96,234 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Shareholders’ equity |  |  | 280,275 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 298,227 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 364,631 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |  | $ | 3,310,040 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 3,432,661 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 3,811,223 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net interest income and interest rate spread (fully tax equivalent) |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 120,781 |  |  |  | 3.57 | % |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 127,728 |  |  |  | 3.68 | % |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 135,950 |  |  |  | 3.61 | %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.01 | % |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.09 | % |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.96 | %
Interest income and yield |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 206,442 |  |  |  | 6.86 | % |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 205,525 |  |  |  | 6.59 | % |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 200,697 |  |  |  | 5.84 | %
Interest expense and rate |  |  |  |  |  |  | 87,942 |  |  |  | 3.37 | % |  |  |  |  |  |  | 80,452 |  |  |  | 2.99 | % |  |  |  |  |  |  | 67,730 |  |  |  | 2.32 | %
Net interest income and spread |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 118,500 |  |  |  | 3.49 | % |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 125,073 |  |  |  | 3.60 | % |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 132,967 |  |  |  | 3.52 | %
Net interest margin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.94 | % |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.01 | % |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.87 | %

(1) |  | Nonaccrual loans are included in average loan balance and loan fees are included in interest income.
(2) |  | Interest income on tax-exempt investments and on certain tax-exempt loans and leases has been adjusted to a tax equivalent basis using a 35.00% tax rate.
(3) |  | Includes investment securities held-to-maturity, investment securities available-for-sale, and other investments.
(4) |  | Includes loans held-for-sale.

N/M = Not meaningful
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 33

#####

Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
First Financial’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. First Financial’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of First Financial’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Any system of internal control, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations, including the possibility that a control can be circumvented or overridden and misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, because of changes in conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time. Accordingly, even an effective system of internal control will provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. As of December 31, 2007, First Financial’s management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of First Financial’s internal controls over financial reporting, using as its framework for that evaluation the Internal Control — Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission. Based upon that evaluation, management believes that First Financial’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on First Financial’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. The report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on First Financial’s internal control overfinancial reporting as of December 31, 2007, is included in the information that follows under the heading “Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.”

Claude E. Davis |  | J. Franklin Hall
President & CEO |  | Executive Vice President & CFO
February 26, 2008 |  | February 26, 2008

34 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

Report Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of First Financial Bancorp
We have audited First Financial Bancorp’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). First Financial Bancorp’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment about the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, First Financial Bancorp maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of First Financial Bancorp as of December 31, 2007, and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, of First Financial Bancorp and our report dated February 26, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Ernst & Young LLP |  |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
February 26, 2008 |

Report Of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report On Consolidated Financial Statements
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of First Financial Bancorp
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Financial Bancorp and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2007, and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of First Financial Bancorp’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of First Financial Bancorp and subsidiaries at December 31, 2007, and 2006, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 17, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, effective January 1, 2007. As discussed in Note 14, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R), effective December 31, 2007.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), First Financial Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Ernst & Young LLP |  |
Cincinnati, Ohio |
February 26, 2008 |  |

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 35

#####

Consolidated Balance Sheets

|  | December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and due from banks |  | $ | 106,224 |  |  | $ | 119,407 |
Federal funds sold |  |  | 106,990 |  |  |  | 102,000 |
Investment securities held-to-maturity (market value of $5,814 at December 31, 2007; $8,154 at December 31, 2006) |  |  | 5,639 |  |  |  | 7,995 |
Investment securities available-for-sale, at market value (cost of $306,412 at December 31, 2007; $324,922 at December 31, 2006) |  |  | 306,928 |  |  |  | 324,259 |
Other investments |  |  | 33,969 |  |  |  | 33,969 |
Loans held for sale |  |  | 1,515 |  |  |  | 8,824 |
Loans |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial |  |  | 785,143 |  |  |  | 673,445 |
Real estate — construction |  |  | 151,432 |  |  |  | 101,688 |
Real estate — commercial |  |  | 706,409 |  |  |  | 623,603 |
Real estate — residential |  |  | 539,332 |  |  |  | 628,579 |
Installment |  |  | 138,895 |  |  |  | 198,881 |
Home equity |  |  | 250,888 |  |  |  | 228,128 |
Credit card |  |  | 26,610 |  |  |  | 24,587 |
Lease financing |  |  | 378 |  |  |  | 923 |
Total loans |  |  | 2,599,087 |  |  |  | 2,479,834 |
Less |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan and lease losses |  |  | 29,057 |  |  |  | 27,386 |
Net loans |  |  | 2,570,030 |  |  |  | 2,452,448 |
Premises and equipment |  |  | 78,994 |  |  |  | 79,609 |
Goodwill |  |  | 28,261 |  |  |  | 28,261 |
Other intangibles |  |  | 698 |  |  |  | 5,842 |
Accrued interest and other assets |  |  | 130,068 |  |  |  | 138,985 |
Total assets |  | $ | 3,369,316 |  |  | $ | 3,301,599 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deposits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest-bearing |  | $ | 603,870 |  |  | $ | 667,305 |
Savings |  |  | 596,636 |  |  |  | 526,663 |
Time |  |  | 1,227,954 |  |  |  | 1,179,852 |
Total interest-bearing deposits |  |  | 2,428,460 |  |  |  | 2,373,820 |
Noninterest-bearing |  |  | 465,731 |  |  |  | 424,138 |
Total deposits |  |  | 2,894,191 |  |  |  | 2,797,958 |
Short-term borrowings |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |  |  | 26,289 |  |  |  | 57,201 |
Other |  |  | 72,000 |  |  |  | 39,500 |
Total short-term borrowings |  |  | 98,289 |  |  |  | 96,701 |
Federal Home Loan Bank long-term debt |  |  | 45,896 |  |  |  | 63,762 |
Other long-term debt |  |  | 20,620 |  |  |  | 30,930 |
Accrued interest and other liabilities |  |  | 33,737 |  |  |  | 26,769 |
Total liabilities |  |  | 3,092,733 |  |  |  | 3,016,120 |
Shareholders’ equity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock — no par value Authorized - 160,000,000 shares Issued — 48,558,614 shares in 2007 and 2006 |  |  | 391,962 |  |  |  | 392,736 |
Retained earnings |  |  | 82,093 |  |  |  | 71,320 |
Accumulated comprehensive income |  |  | (7,127 | ) |  |  | (13,375 | )
Treasury stock, at cost, 11,190,806 shares in 2007 and 9,313,207 shares in 2006 |  |  | (190,345 | ) |  |  | (165,202 | )
Total shareholders’ equity |  |  | 276,583 |  |  |  | 285,479 |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |  | $ | 3,369,316 |  |  | $ | 3,301,599 |

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
36 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

Consolidated Statements Of Earnings

|  | Year ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands except per share data) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans, including fees |  | $ | 182,670 |  |  | $ | 177,699 |  |  | $ | 172,636 |
Investment securities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Taxable |  |  | 14,961 |  |  |  | 16,592 |  |  |  | 21,497 |
Tax- exempt |  |  | 3,542 |  |  |  | 4,142 |  |  |  | 4,863 |
Total investment securities interest |  |  | 18,503 |  |  |  | 20,734 |  |  |  | 26,360 |
Federal funds sold |  |  | 5,269 |  |  |  | 7,092 |  |  |  | 1,701 |
Total interest income |  |  | 206,442 |  |  |  | 205,525 |  |  |  | 200,697 |
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deposits |  |  | 79,184 |  |  |  | 70,012 |  |  |  | 48,654 |
Short-term borrowings |  |  | 4,232 |  |  |  | 3,768 |  |  |  | 1,961 |
Long-term borrowings |  |  | 2,099 |  |  |  | 4,062 |  |  |  | 15,078 |
Subordinated debentures and capital securities |  |  | 2,427 |  |  |  | 2,610 |  |  |  | 2,037 |
Total interest expense |  |  | 87,942 |  |  |  | 80,452 |  |  |  | 67,730 |
Net interest income |  |  | 118,500 |  |  |  | 125,073 |  |  |  | 132,967 |
Provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 7,652 |  |  |  | 9,822 |  |  |  | 5,571 |
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 110,848 |  |  |  | 115,251 |  |  |  | 127,396 |
Noninterest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service charges on deposit accounts |  |  | 20,766 |  |  |  | 21,958 |  |  |  | 18,976 |
Trust and wealth management fees |  |  | 18,396 |  |  |  | 16,264 |  |  |  | 16,641 |
Bankcard income |  |  | 5,251 |  |  |  | 4,437 |  |  |  | 3,992 |
Net gains from sales of loans |  |  | 844 |  |  |  | 3,206 |  |  |  | 903 |
Gain on sale of merchant payment processing portfolio |  |  | 5,501 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Gain on sale of mortgage servicing rights |  |  | 1,061 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Gains on sales of branches |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 12,545 |  |  |  | 0 |
Gains (losses) on sales and impairment of investment securities |  |  | 367 |  |  |  | (476 | ) |  |  | (6,519 | )
Other |  |  | 11,402 |  |  |  | 10,050 |  |  |  | 12,198 |
Total noninterest income |  |  | 63,588 |  |  |  | 67,984 |  |  |  | 46,191 |
Noninterest expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Salaries and employee benefits |  |  | 69,891 |  |  |  | 81,560 |  |  |  | 77,690 |
Pension settlement charges |  |  | 2,222 |  |  |  | 2,969 |  |  |  | 0 |
Net occupancy |  |  | 10,861 |  |  |  | 11,038 |  |  |  | 9,610 |
Furniture and equipment |  |  | 6,761 |  |  |  | 5,607 |  |  |  | 6,276 |
Data processing |  |  | 3,498 |  |  |  | 9,969 |  |  |  | 6,867 |
Marketing |  |  | 2,441 |  |  |  | 3,490 |  |  |  | 2,464 |
Communication |  |  | 3,230 |  |  |  | 3,334 |  |  |  | 3,085 |
Professional services |  |  | 4,142 |  |  |  | 7,835 |  |  |  | 7,681 |
Debt extinguishment |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 4,295 |  |  |  | 0 |
Other |  |  | 17,701 |  |  |  | 22,418 |  |  |  | 16,492 |
Total noninterest expenses |  |  | 120,747 |  |  |  | 152,515 |  |  |  | 130,165 |
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |  |  | 53,689 |  |  |  | 30,720 |  |  |  | 43,422 |
Income tax expense |  |  | 18,008 |  |  |  | 9,449 |  |  |  | 12,614 |
Income from continuing operations |  |  | 35,681 |  |  |  | 21,271 |  |  |  | 30,808 |
Discontinued operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other operating income |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 583 |
Gain on sale of discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 10,366 |
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 10,949 |
Income tax expense |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 3,824 |
Income from discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 7,125 |
Net income |  | $ | 35,681 |  |  | $ | 21,271 |  |  | $ | 37,933 |
Earnings per share from continuing operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.72 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.71 |
Earnings per share from discontinued operations: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.17 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.17 |
Earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.89 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.88 |
Average shares outstanding — basic |  |  | 38,455,084 |  |  |  | 39,539,114 |  |  |  | 43,084,378 |
Average shares outstanding — diluted |  |  | 38,459,138 |  |  |  | 39,562,010 |  |  |  | 43,172,750 |

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 37

#####

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows

|  | Year ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Operating activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income |  | $ | 35,681 |  |  | $ | 21,271 |  |  | $ | 37,933 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 7,652 |  |  |  | 9,822 |  |  |  | 5,571 |
Provision for depreciation and amortization |  |  | 7,949 |  |  |  | 8,588 |  |  |  | 7,430 |
Stock-based compensation expense |  |  | 1,384 |  |  |  | 1,728 |  |  |  | 1,671 |
Pension expense |  |  | 4,541 |  |  |  | 7,926 |  |  |  | 5,202 |
Net amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on investment securities |  |  | 131 |  |  |  | (111 | ) |  |  | 1,488 |
Deferred income taxes |  |  | (3,338 | ) |  |  | 14,360 |  |  |  | (778 | )
(Gains) losses on impairment and sales of investment securities |  |  | (367 | ) |  |  | 476 |  |  |  | 6,519 |
Originations of loans held for sale |  |  | (68,027 | ) |  |  | (83,365 | ) |  |  | (199,086 | )
Net gains from sales of loans held for sale |  |  | (844 | ) |  |  | (3,206 | ) |  |  | (903 | )
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale |  |  | 76,564 |  |  |  | 85,696 |  |  |  | 198,148 |
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance |  |  | (4,105 | ) |  |  | (2,151 | ) |  |  | (10,530 | )
(Increase) decrease in interest receivable |  |  | (869 | ) |  |  | 793 |  |  |  | (419 | )
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses |  |  | (435 | ) |  |  | (4,051 | ) |  |  | 211 |
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses |  |  | 706 |  |  |  | (1,259 | ) |  |  | 2,429 |
Increase in interest payable |  |  | 1,920 |  |  |  | 883 |  |  |  | 1,176 |
Contribution to pension plan |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (28,583 | ) |  |  | (5,605 | )
Other |  |  | 14,861 |  |  |  | (11,535 | ) |  |  | (2,695 | )
Net decrease from discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 12,751 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |  |  | 73,404 |  |  |  | 17,282 |  |  |  | 60,513 |
Investing activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale |  |  | 392 |  |  |  | 184,935 |  |  |  | 15 |
Proceeds from calls, paydowns, and maturities of investment securities available-for-sale |  |  | 59,657 |  |  |  | 85,178 |  |  |  | 144,310 |
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale |  |  | (41,303 | ) |  |  | (33,459 | ) |  |  | (96,862 | )
Proceeds from calls, paydowns, and maturities of investment securities held-to-maturity |  |  | 3,290 |  |  |  | 4,561 |  |  |  | 10,830 |
Purchases of investment securities held-to-maturity |  |  | (934 | ) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (10,565 | )
Net decrease in interest-bearing deposits with other banks |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 495 |
Net increase in federal funds sold |  |  | (4,990 | ) |  |  | (4,000 | ) |  |  | (85,951 | )
Net (increase) decrease in loans and leases |  |  | (127,988 | ) |  |  | 111,556 |  |  |  | 169,294 |
Proceeds from surrender of life insurance |  |  | 12,941 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Proceeds from disposal of other real estate owned |  |  | 1,962 |  |  |  | 3,117 |  |  |  | 2,135 |
Purchases of premises and equipment |  |  | (7,578 | ) |  |  | (15,647 | ) |  |  | (12,421 | )
Net decrease from discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 91,962 |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |  |  | (104,551 | ) |  |  | 336,241 |  |  |  | 213,242 |
Financing activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net increase (decrease) in total deposits |  |  | 96,233 |  |  |  | (127,481 | ) |  |  | 19,574 |
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings |  |  | 1,588 |  |  |  | (14,933 | ) |  |  | (36,560 | )
Payments on long-term borrowings |  |  | (17,866 | ) |  |  | (222,893 | ) |  |  | (43,701 | )
Redemption of other long-term debt |  |  | (10,000 | ) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Cash dividends paid |  |  | (24,845 | ) |  |  | (25,870 | ) |  |  | (27,375 | )
Treasury stock purchases |  |  | (27,297 | ) |  |  | (6,561 | ) |  |  | (78,344 | )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |  |  | 82 |  |  |  | 254 |  |  |  | 201 |
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation |  |  | 69 |  |  |  | 87 |  |  |  | 0 |
Net decrease from discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (99,622 | )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |  |  | 17,964 |  |  |  | (397,397 | ) |  |  | (265,827 | )
Cash and cash equivalents: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |  |  | (13,183 | ) |  |  | (43,874 | ) |  |  | 7,928 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |  |  | 119,407 |  |  |  | 163,281 |  |  |  | 155,353 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |  | $ | 106,224 |  |  | $ | 119,407 |  |  | $ | 163,281 |
Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations |  | $ | 106,224 |  |  | $ | 119,407 |  |  | $ | 163,281 |
Cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |  | $ | 106,224 |  |  | $ | 119,407 |  |  | $ | 163,281 |
Supplemental disclosures |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest paid |  | $ | 86,022 |  |  | $ | 79,569 |  |  | $ | 68,642 |
Income taxes paid |  | $ | 14,445 |  |  | $ | 3,829 |  |  | $ | 16,145 |
Acquisition of other real estate owned through foreclosure |  | $ | 2,264 |  |  | $ | 2,288 |  |  | $ | 3,898 |
Issuance of restricted stock awards |  | $ | 2,254 |  |  | $ | 1,654 |  |  | $ | 1,578 |
Transfer of loans to loans held for sale |  | $ | 0 |  |  | $ | 39,571 |  |  | $ | 0 |

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
38 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Shareholders’ Equity

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Accumulated other |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | comprehensive income (loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Common |  |  | Common |  |  |  |  |  |  | Unrealized |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | stock |  |  | stock |  |  | Retained |  |  | gain (loss) on |  |  | Pension |  |  | Treasury stock |  |  |  |
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts) |  | shares |  |  | amount |  |  | earnings |  |  | AFS securities |  |  | obligation |  |  | Shares |  |  | Amount |  |  | Total |
Balances at January 1, 2005 |  |  | 48,558,614 |  |  | $ | 392,448 |  |  | $ | 65,095 |  |  | $ | 2,197 |  |  | $ | (5,320 | ) |  |  | (4,881,378 | ) |  | $ | (82,965 | ) |  | $ | 371,455 |
Net income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 37,933 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 37,933 |
Unrealized holding losses on securities available for sale arising during the period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2,511 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2,511 | )
Unfunded pension losses, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2,242 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2,242 | )
Total comprehensive income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 33,180 |
Cash dividends declared ($0.64 per share) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (27,671 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (27,671 | )
Purchase of common stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (4,166,000 | ) |  |  | (78,344 | ) |  |  | (78,344 | )
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased |  |  |  |  |  |  | (528 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 33,327 |  |  |  | 729 |  |  |  | 201 |
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures |  |  |  |  |  |  | (984 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18,917 |  |  |  | 373 |  |  |  | (611 | )
Amortization of restricted stock awards |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,671 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,671 |
Balances at December 31, 2005 |  |  | 48,558,614 |  |  |  | 392,607 |  |  |  | 75,357 |  |  |  | (314 | ) |  |  | (7,562 | ) |  |  | (8,995,134 | ) |  |  | (160,207 | ) |  |  | 299,881 |
Net income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 21,271 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 21,271 |
Unrealized holding losses on securities available for sale arising during the period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (106 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (106 | )
Total comprehensive income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 21,165 |
Net adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (5,393 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (5,393 | )
Cash dividends declared ($0.64 per share) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (25,308 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (25,308 | )
Purchase of common stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (404,000 | ) |  |  | (6,561 | ) |  |  | (6,561 | )
Tax benefit on stock option purchase |  |  |  |  |  |  | 87 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 87 |
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased |  |  |  |  |  |  | (213 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 24,598 |  |  |  | 452 |  |  |  | 239 |
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures |  |  |  |  |  |  | (1,473 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 61,329 |  |  |  | 1,114 |  |  |  | (359 | )
Share-based compensation expense |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,728 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,728 |
Balances at December 31, 2006 |  |  | 48,558,614 |  |  |  | 392,736 |  |  |  | 71,320 |  |  |  | (420 | ) |  |  | (12,955 | ) |  |  | (9,313,207 | ) |  |  | (165,202 | ) |  |  | 285,479 |
Net income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 35,681 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 35,681 |
Unrealized holding gains on securities available for sale arising during the period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 748 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 748 |
Changes in accumulated unrealized losses for pension and other postretirement obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,500 |
Total comprehensive income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41,929 |
Cash dividends declared ($0.65 per share) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (24,908 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (24,908 | )
Purchase of common stock |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2,000,000 | ) |  |  | (27,297 | ) |  |  | (27,297 | )
Tax benefit on stock option exercise |  |  |  |  |  |  | 69 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 69 |
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased |  |  |  |  |  |  | (57 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,474 |  |  |  | 139 |  |  |  | 82 |
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2,170 | ) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 113,927 |  |  |  | 2,015 |  |  |  | (155 | )
Share-based compensation expense |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,384 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,384 |
Balances at December 31, 2007 |  |  | 48,558,614 |  |  | $ | 391,962 |  |  | $ | 82,093 |  |  | $ | 328 |  |  | $ | (7,455 | ) |  |  | (11,190,806 | ) |  | $ | (190,345 | ) |  | $ | 276,583 |

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 39

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Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation: The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp. (First Financial), a bank holding company, principally serving western Ohio, Indiana, and northern Kentucky, include the accounts and operations of First Financial and its wholly owned subsidiaries — First Financial Bank, N.A. and First Financial Capital Advisors LLC, a registered investment advisor. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications of prior years’ amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.
First Financial’s business activities are currently confined to one reportable segment, community banking. As a full service community banking company, First Financial offers a full range of products and services to its clients.
The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes. Actual realized amounts could differ materially from those estimates.
On September 16, 2005, First Financial sold substantially all the assets and certain liabilities of its Fidelity Federal Savings Bank subsidiary. Fidelity Federal is reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes as discontinued operations in 2005.
All dollar amounts, except per share data, are expressed in thousands of dollars.
Investment securities: First Financial can classify debt and equity securities in three categories: trading, held-to-maturity, and available-for-sale. First Financial has no trading securities.
Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity when First Financial has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost. Debt securities not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are stated at aggregate fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.
The amortized cost of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, or in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security. Such amortization is included in interest income from investments. Interest and dividends are included in interest income from investments. Realized gains and losses are based on amortized cost of the security sold using the specific identification method. Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are reviewed quarterly for impairment in value. In performing this review, management considers the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the ability and intent to hold the security for a period sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. If the fair value of a security is less than the amortized cost and the impairment is determined to be other-than-temporary, the security is written down, establishing a reduced cost basis. The related charge is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as an impairment on investment securities.
Other investments include Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) stock and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock. FRB and FHLB stock is carried at cost.
Loans and leases: Loan origination and commitment fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred, and the net amount amortized as an adjustment to the related loan’s yield. The accrual of interest income is discontinued when the collection of a loan or interest, in whole or in part, is doubtful. This applies to all loans, including impaired loans. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Loans are included in the loan portfolio when management has the intent and ability to hold the loan for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff. The foreseeable future is based upon the loan characteristics, business strategy, current market condiitions, and liquidity needs.
Loans held for sale may come from two sources: residential real estate loans originated with commitments to sell to our strategic partner and in certain circumstances, previously originated loans that have been specifically identified by management for sale based on predetermined criteria. Loans originated for sale are placed immediately into that category upon origination and are considered to be at fair market value due to the commitment to sell in a short timeframe. Loans transferred to held for sale status are done at the lower of cost or fair value with any difference charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Any subsequent change in carrying value, not to exceed original cost, is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
First Financial principally uses the finance method of accounting for direct lease contracts. Under this method of accounting, a receivable is recorded for the total amount of lease payments due and estimated residual values. Lease income, represented by the excess of the total contract receivable plus estimated equipment residual value over the cost of the related equipment, is recorded over the term of the leases at a level rate of return on the unrecovered net investment. First Financial does not have a material amount of lease assets.
Allowance for loan and lease losses: The level of the allowance for loan and lease losses (allowance) is based upon management’s evaluation of the loan and lease portfolios, past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay (including the timing of future payments), the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, economic conditions, and other pertinent factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change. Loans are charged off when management believes that the ultimate collectibility of the loan is unlikely. Allocation of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, is deemed to be uncollectible.
Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on an assessment of the inherent loss given the conditions at the time. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off. The allowance for commercial loans, including time and demand notes, tax-exempt loans, commercial real estate, and commercial capital leases begins with a process of estimating the probable losses inherent in the portfolio. The estimates for these commercial loans are established by category and based on First Financial’s internal system of credit risk ratings and historical loss data.
The estimate of losses inherent in the commercial portfolio may then be adjusted for management’s estimate of probable losses on specific exposures as well as trends in delinquent and nonaccrual loans and other factors such as prevailing economic conditions, lending strategies, and other influencing factors. In the commercial portfolio, certain loans, typically larger-balance non-homogeneous exposures, may have a specific allowance established based on the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors, and the realizable value of any collateral.
The allowance for consumer loans which includes residential real estate, installment, home equity, credit card, consumer leasing, and overdrafts is established for each of the categories by estimating losses inherent in that particular category of consumer loans. The estimate of losses is primarily based on historical loss rates. Consumer loans are evaluated as an asset type within a category (i.e., residential real estate, installment, etc.), as these loans are smaller and more homogeneous.
Larger balance commercial and commercial real estate loans are impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that First Financial will be unable to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.
Loans that are impaired are recorded at the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or if the loan is collateral dependent, impairment measurement is based on the fair value of the collateral. Income on impaired loans is recorded on the cash basis.
Premises and equipment: Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are
40 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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computed principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives generally range from ten to 40 years for building and building improvement; three to ten years for furnitures, fixtures, and equipment; and three to five years for software, hardware, and data handling equipment. Land improvements are depreciated over 20 years and leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the base term of the respective lease or the asset useful life. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
Other real estate owned: Other real estate owned represents properties primarily acquired by First Financial’s bank subsidiary through loan defaults by clients. The property is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value minus estimated costs to sell at the date acquired. Subsequently, the property is valued at the lower of the amount recorded when the property was placed into other real estate owned or fair value minus estimated costs to sell based on periodic valuations performed by management. Any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are reflected in income.
Income taxes: The calculation of First Financial’s income tax provision is complex and requires the use of estimates and judgments in its determination. First Financial estimates income tax expense based on amounts expected to be owed to various tax jurisdictions. Accrued taxes represent the net estimated amount due or to be received from taxing jurisdictions either currently or in the future and are reported as a component of other assets or other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In estimating accrued taxes, First Financial assesses the appropriate tax treatment considering statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance, including consideration of any reserve required for potential examination issues. Changes in the estimate of accrued taxes occur periodically due to changes in tax rates, interpretations of tax laws, the status of examinations being conducted by taxing authorities, and newly enacted statutory, judicial, and regulatory guidance. These changes, when they occur, affect accrued taxes and can be significant to the operating results of First Financial. The potential impact to First Financial’s operating results for any of the changes cannot be reasonably estimated. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
First Financial and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Each subsidiary provides for income taxes on a separate return basis, and remits to First Financial amounts determined to be currently payable.
First Financial adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation Number (“FIN”) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial.
Earnings per share: Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of shares, increased by dilutive common stock equivalents and restricted stock awards outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents consist of common stock issuable under the assumed exercise of stock options granted under First Financial’s stock plans, using the treasury stock method.
Cash flow information: For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, First Financial considers cash and due from banks as cash and cash equivalents.
Pension: First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. The measurement of the accrued benefit liability and the annual pension expense involves actuarial and economic assumptions. The assumptions used in pension accounting relate to the discount rates, the expected return on plan assets, and the rate of compensation increase. First Financial adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of FASB Statement No. 158 (SFAS No. 158), “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R),” effective December 31, 2006.
Reporting comprehensive income (loss): Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during the period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes the unrealized holding gains and losses from available-for-sale securities arising during the period, and changes in accumulated unrealized losses for pension and other postretirement obligations. First Financial previously reflected the transition adjustment for the adoption of SFAS No. 158 as a component of other comprehensive income in 2006 rather than a component of ending accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2006. Reporting of the transition adjustment as an adjustment to ending accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2006, did not materially impact First Financial’s Consolidated Financial Statements for 2006.
First Financial recorded an unrealized holding gain of $328 at December 31, 2007 and an unrealized holding loss of $420 at December 31, 2006. While there was no income tax expense or benefit, there was a deferred tax liability associated with available-for-sale securities of $188 at December 31, 2007 and a deferred tax asset of $243 at December 31, 2006.
There was a net deferred tax asset recorded to reflect the funded status of the postretirement benefit plans of $4,283 and $7,480 as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Derivative instruments: First Financial reports all derivative instruments at fair value on the balance sheet. First Financial usually designates derivative instruments used to manage interest-rate risk as hedge relationships with certain assets or liabilities being hedged.
First Financial has entered into derivative transactions, primarily interest rate swaps, to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk. These derivatives are considered to be fair value hedges.
Because the critical terms of the hedged financial instruments and the derivative instruments match, the changes in the fair value of the hedged financial instruments and the derivative instruments offset and the hedges are considered to be highly effective. For a fair value hedge, the fair value of the interest rate swap is recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either a freestanding asset or liability with a corresponding adjustment to the hedged financial instrument. Subsequent adjustments due to changes in the fair value of a derivative that qualifies as a fair value hedge are offset in current period earnings. Under the fair value method, any derivative gains or losses not effective in hedging the change in fair value of the hedged item would be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Goodwill and other intangible assets: Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives, if any, are not amortized, but are subject to annual impairment tests. Core deposit intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. Core deposit intangibles are being amortized over varying periods, none of which exceeds 10 years.
Mortgage servicing assets (MSRs): In the first quarter of 2007, First Financial entered into an agreement to sell the right to service its conforming, conventional mortgage servicing portfolio and upon settlement of the sale, First Financial no longer carried an asset for its MSRs. No MSRs were recognized after that date.
In 2006, MSRs were recognized as separate assets when loans were sold into the secondary market, servicing retained. Upon sale, the mortgage servicing right was established, which represented the then current market value of future net cash flows expected to be realized for performing the servicing activities. Capitalized mortgage servicing rights are reported in other assets in 2006 and amortized against noninterest income offsetting the actual servicing income of the underlying mortgage loans.
Stock based compensation: First Financial adopted the provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R) (SFAS No. 123(R)), “Share-Based Payment,” effective January 1, 2006, using the modified-prospective transition method which requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. SFAS 123(R) applies to all awards granted after January 1, 2006, and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date. Prior to January 1, 2006, First Financial accounted for its stock options under the intrinsic value method of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued To Employees” and related Interpretations, and applied the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” First Financial’s employee stock options have fixed terms and the exercise price of the stock options equals the market price on the date of grant. Therefore, no compensation cost was recognized for stock options prior to January 1, 2006.
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 41

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Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Restrictions On Cash And Due From Bank Accounts
First Financial’s bank subsidiary is required to maintain average reserve balances either in the form of vault cash or reserves held on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank, or in pass-through reserve accounts with correspondent banks. The average amounts of these required reserve balances, based upon the average level of First Financial’s transaction accounts, for 2007 and 2006 were approximately $25,462 and $45,980, respectively.
In connection with its use of derivative instruments, First Financial from time to time is required to post cash collateral with its counterparties to offset its market position. Derivative collateral balances were $936 and $0 at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
3. Mortgage-Servicing Rights
Changes in capitalized mortgage-servicing rights are summarized as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Balance at beginning of year |  | $ | 4,448 |  |  | $ | 5,527 |  |  | $ | 4,505 |
Rights capitalized |  |  | 121 |  |  |  | 729 |  |  |  | 1,841 |
Amortization |  |  | (308 | ) |  |  | (1,808 | ) |  |  | (1,684 | )
Rights sold |  |  | (4,261 | ) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Change in valuation |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 865 |
Balance at end of year |  | $ | 0 |  |  | $ | 4,448 |  |  | $ | 5,527 |

In the first quarter of 2007, First Financial entered into an agreement to sell the right to service its conforming, conventional mortgage servicing portfolio of $591,895. First Financial recorded a gain of $1,061 associated with the sale.
The estimated fair value of capitalized mortgage servicing rights was $0, $6,516, and $8,011 at December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.
Mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The unpaid principal balances of these loans totaled $0, $617,086, and $601,187 at December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.
Custodial escrow balances maintained at First Financial in connection with these mortgage loans serviced were approximately $0, $4,250, and $4,209 at December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.
4. Restrictions On Subsidiary Dividends, Loans, Or Advances
Dividends paid by First Financial to its shareholders are principally funded through dividends paid to First Financial by its subsidiaries. However, certain restrictions exist regarding the ability of bank subsidiaries to transfer funds to First Financial in the form of cash dividends, loans, or advances. The approval of the bank subsidiary’s respective primary federal regulators is required for First Financial’s subsidiaries to pay dividends in excess of regulatory limitations, which is equal to the net income of the current year through the dividend date, combined with its retained net income of the preceding two years. As of December 31, 2007, First Financial’s subsidiaries had retained earnings of $135,996 of which $1,531 was available for distribution to First Financial without prior regulatory approval.
5. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk
In the normal course of business, First Financial offers a variety of financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk to its clients to aid them in meeting their requirements for liquidity and credit enhancement. These financial instruments include standby letters of credit and commitments outstanding to extend credit. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles do not require these financial instruments to be recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Following is a discussion of these transactions.
First Financial’s exposure to credit loss, in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for standby letters of credit, and commitments outstanding to extend credit, is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. First Financial uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.
Standby letters of credit — These transactions are conditional commitments issued by First Financial to guarantee the performance of a client to a third party. First Financial’s portfolio of standby letters of credit consists primarily of performance assurances made on behalf of clients who have a contractual commitment to produce or deliver goods or services. The risk to First Financial arises from its obligation to make payment in the event of the clients’ contractual default to produce the contracted good or service to a third party. First Financial has issued standby letters of credit aggregating $25,227 and $24,709 at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
Management conducts regular reviews of these instruments on an individual client basis. Management does not anticipate any material losses as a result of these letters of credit.
Loan commitments — Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a client as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. First Financial evaluates each client’s creditworthiness on an individual basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by First Financial upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. The collateral held varies, but may include securities, real estate, inventory, plant, or equipment. First Financial had commitments outstanding to extend credit totaling $728,472 and $633,104 at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Management does not anticipate any material losses as a result of these commitments.
42 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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6. Derivatives
The use of derivative instruments allows First Financial to meet the needs of its clients while managing the interest-rate risk associated with certain transactions. First Financial’s board of directors has authorized the use of certain derivative products, including interest rate caps, floors, and swaps. Currently, First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps as a means to offer commercial borrowers products that meet their needs, but also are designed to achieve First Financial’s desired interest rate risk profile at the time.
The net interest receivable or payable on the interest rate swaps is accrued and recognized as an adjustment to the interest income or interest expense of the hedged item. The fair value of the interest rate swaps is included within accrued interest and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The corresponding fair-value adjustment is also included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the carrying value of the hedged item. Derivative gains and losses not considered effective in hedging the change in fair value of the hedged item are recognized immediately in income. The following table summarizes the derivative financial instruments utilized by First Financial and their balances at December 31, 2007, and 2006:

|  | December 31, 2007 |  | December 31, 2006
|  | Notional |  | Estimated Fair Value |  | Notional |  | Estimated Fair Value
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Amount |  | Gain |  | (Loss) |  | Amount |  | Gain |  | (Loss)
Fair value hedges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pay fixed interest rate swaps |  | $ | 28,903 |  |  | $ | 79 |  |  | $ | (866 | ) |  | $ | 31,155 |  |  | $ | 557 |  |  | $ | (200 | )
Matched customer hedges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Client interest rate swaps with bank |  |  | 51,480 |  |  |  | 2,702 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 24,821 |  |  |  | 631 |  |  |  | 0 |
Bank interest rate swaps with counterparty |  |  | 51,480 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (2,702 | ) |  |  | 24,821 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (631 | )
Total |  | $ | 131,863 |  |  | $ | 2,781 |  |  | $ | (3,568 | ) |  | $ | 80,797 |  |  | $ | 1,188 |  |  | $ | (831 | )

7. Investment Securities
The following is a summary of investment securities as of December 31, 2007:

|  | Held-to-Maturity |  | Available-for-Sale
|  | Amortized |  | Unrealized |  | Unrealized |  | Market |  | Amortized |  | Unrealized |  | Unrealized |  | Market
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Cost |  | Gains |  | Losses |  | Value |  | Cost |  | Gains |  | Losses |  | Value
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 85,124 |  |  | $ | 705 |  |  | $ | (39 | ) |  | $ | 85,790 |
Mortgage-backed securities |  | $ | 274 |  |  | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | (1 | ) |  | $ | 275 |  |  |  | 151,753 |  |  |  | 1,219 |  |  |  | (1,198 | ) |  |  | 151,774 |
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions |  |  | 5,365 |  |  |  | 183 |  |  |  | (9 | ) |  |  | 5,539 |  |  |  | 59,475 |  |  |  | 925 |  |  |  | (39 | ) |  |  | 60,361 |
Other securities |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 10,060 |  |  |  | 222 |  |  |  | (1,279 | ) |  |  | 9,003 |
Total |  | $ | 5,639 |  |  | $ | 185 |  |  | $ | (10 | ) |  | $ | 5,814 |  |  | $ | 306,412 |  |  | $ | 3,071 |  |  | $ | (2,555 | ) |  | $ | 306,928 |

The following is a summary of investment securities as of December 31, 2006:

|  | Held-to-Maturity |  | Available-for-Sale
|  | Amortized |  | Unrealized |  | Unrealized |  | Market |  | Amortized |  | Unrealized |  | Unrealized |  | Market
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Cost |  | Gains |  | Losses |  | Value |  | Cost |  | Gains |  | Losses |  | Value
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 63,118 |  |  | $ | 223 |  |  | $ | (205 | ) |  | $ | 63,136 |
Mortgage-backed securities |  | $ | 427 |  |  | $ | 5 |  |  | $ | 0 |  |  | $ | 432 |  |  |  | 184,787 |  |  |  | 815 |  |  |  | (3,227 | ) |  |  | 182,375 |
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions |  |  | 7,568 |  |  |  | 175 |  |  |  | (21 | ) |  |  | 7,722 |  |  |  | 71,280 |  |  |  | 1,377 |  |  |  | (90 | ) |  |  | 72,567 |
Other securities |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 5,737 |  |  |  | 459 |  |  |  | (15 | ) |  |  | 6,181 |
Total |  | $ | 7,995 |  |  | $ | 180 |  |  | $ | (21 | ) |  | $ | 8,154 |  |  | $ | 324,922 |  |  | $ | 2,874 |  |  | $ | (3,537 | ) |  | $ | 324,259 |

During the year ended December 31, 2007, available-for-sale securities with a fair value at the date of sale of $367 were sold with a $367 gross realized gain recorded. There was a net investment gain after taxes of $233 for the year ended December 31, 2007. The applicable income tax effect was an expense of $134 for 2007.
During the year ended December 31, 2006, available-for-sale securities with a fair value at the date of sale of $178,177 were sold with a $498 gross realized loss recorded. There was a net investment loss after taxes of $301 and an associated tax benefit of $175 recorded for 2006.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, available-for-sale securities with a fair value at the date of sale of $4 were sold with a $12 gross realized gain recorded. There was no gain or loss or associated tax recorded for the year ended December 31, 2005.
The carrying value of investment securities pledged as collateral to secure public deposits, repurchase agreements, and for other purposes as required by law totaled $234,002 at December 31, 2007, and $238,996 at December 31, 2006.
In February of 2006, First Financial made the strategic decision to restructure a portion of its balance sheet, which included the sale of $179,000 in investment securities. Due to the anticipated restructuring and intent to sell certain investment securities whose market values were below carrying amount, a write-down of the investment securities portfolio of $6,519 was recorded in 2005. Upon the completion of the sale of the investment securities in the the first quarter of 2006, an additional $498 loss was recorded.
The amortized cost and market value of investment securities, including mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2007, by estimated maturity, are shown in the table that follows.
Estimated maturities on mortgage-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 43

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Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

|  | Held-to-Maturity |  | Available-for-Sale
|  | Amortized |  | Market |  | Amortized |  | Market
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Cost |  | Value |  | Cost |  | Value
Due in one year or less |  | $ | 404 |  |  | $ | 405 |  |  | $ | 22,470 |  |  | $ | 22,485 |
Due after one year through five years |  |  | 1,567 |  |  |  | 1,575 |  |  |  | 48,237 |  |  |  | 48,549 |
Due after five years through ten years |  |  | 2,542 |  |  |  | 2,645 |  |  |  | 134,242 |  |  |  | 135,858 |
Due after ten years |  |  | 1,126 |  |  |  | 1,189 |  |  |  | 101,463 |  |  |  | 100,036 |
Total |  | $ | 5,639 |  |  | $ | 5,814 |  |  | $ | 306,412 |  |  | $ | 306,928 |

The following tables present the age of gross unrealized losses and associated fair value by investment category.

|  | December 31, 2007
|  | Less than 12 Months |  | 12 Months or More |  | Total
|  |  |  |  |  | Unrealized |  |  |  |  |  | Unrealized |  |  |  |  |  | Unrealized
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Fair Value |  | Loss |  | Fair Value |  | Loss |  | Fair Value |  | Loss
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations |  | $ | 4,983 |  |  | $ | 17 |  |  | $ | 5,186 |  |  | $ | 22 |  |  | $ | 10,169 |  |  | $ | 39 |
Mortgage-backed securities |  |  | 553 |  |  |  | 2 |  |  |  | 78,684 |  |  |  | 1,197 |  |  |  | 79,237 |  |  |  | 1,199 |
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions |  |  | 1,814 |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | 2,965 |  |  |  | 47 |  |  |  | 4,779 |  |  |  | 48 |
Other securities |  |  | 7,405 |  |  |  | 1,279 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 7,405 |  |  |  | 1,279 |
Total |  | $ | 14,755 |  |  | $ | 1,299 |  |  | $ | 86,835 |  |  | $ | 1,266 |  |  | $ | 101,590 |  |  | $ | 2,565 |

|  | December 31, 2006
|  | Less than 12 Months |  | 12 Months or More |  | Total
|  |  |  |  |  | Unrealized |  |  |  |  |  | Unrealized |  |  |  |  |  | Unrealized
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Fair Value |  | Loss |  | Fair Value |  | Loss |  | Fair Value |  | Loss
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations |  | $ | 9,887 |  |  | $ | 40 |  |  | $ | 20,047 |  |  | $ | 165 |  |  | $ | 29,934 |  |  | $ | 205 |
Mortgage-backed securities |  |  | 7,551 |  |  |  | 48 |  |  |  | 126,310 |  |  |  | 3,179 |  |  |  | 133,861 |  |  |  | 3,227 |
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions |  |  | 2,527 |  |  |  | 8 |  |  |  | 3,923 |  |  |  | 103 |  |  |  | 6,450 |  |  |  | 111 |
Other securities |  |  | 1,610 |  |  |  | 15 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 1,610 |  |  |  | 15 |
Total |  | $ | 21,575 |  |  | $ | 111 |  |  | $ | 150,280 |  |  | $ | 3,447 |  |  | $ | 171,855 |  |  | $ | 3,558 |

Unrealized losses on debt securities are generally due to higher current market yields relative to the yields of the debt securities at their amortized cost. Unrealized losses due to credit risk of the underlying collateral of the debt security, if any, are not material. First Financial has the intent and ability to hold all debt security issues temporarily impaired until maturity or recovery of book value. All securities with unrealized losses are reviewed quarterly to determine if any impairment is other than temporary, requiring a write-down to fair market value.
8. Loans
Information as to nonaccrual and restructured loans at December 31 was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Principal balance |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nonaccrual loans |  | $ | 14,113 |  |  | $ | 10,236 |  |  | $ | 24,961 |
Restructured loans |  |  | 567 |  |  |  | 596 |  |  |  | 3,408 |
Total |  | $ | 14,680 |  |  | $ | 10,832 |  |  | $ | 28,369 |
Interest income effect |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms |  | $ | 1,334 |  |  | $ | 989 |  |  | $ | 2,667 |
Interest included in income |  |  | 581 |  |  |  | 521 |  |  |  | 1,551 |
Net impact on interest income |  | $ | 753 |  |  | $ | 468 |  |  | $ | 1,116 |

At December 31, 2007, there were no commitments outstanding to lend additional funds to borrowers with nonaccrual or restructured loans.
The balances of other real estate acquired through loan foreclosures, repossessions, or other workout situations totaled $2,636, $2,334, and $3,162 at December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively, and are carried at net realized value.
44 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

Changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the three years ended December 31 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Balance at beginning of year |  | $ | 27,386 |  |  | $ | 42,485 |  |  | $ | 45,076 |
Provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 7,652 |  |  |  | 9,822 |  |  |  | 5,571 |
Loans charged-off |  |  | (9,422 | ) |  |  | (15,618 | ) |  |  | (11,590 | )
Loans held for sale write-down |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (12,731 | ) |  |  | 0 |
Recoveries |  |  | 3,441 |  |  |  | 3,428 |  |  |  | 3,428 |
Balance at end of year |  | $ | 29,057 |  |  | $ | 27,386 |  |  | $ | 42,485 |

The allowances for loan and lease losses related to loans that are identified as impaired, as defined by SFAS No. 114 and amended by SFAS No. 118, are based on discounted cash flows using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans.
First Financial’s investment in impaired loans is as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Impaired loans requiring a valuation allowance of $2,705 in 2007, $1,523 in 2006, and $2,265 in 2005 |  | $ | 4,822 |  |  | $ | 2,639 |  |  | $ | 6,364 |
Impaired loans not requiring a valuation allowance |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Total impaired loans |  | $ | 4,822 |  |  | $ | 2,639 |  |  | $ | 6,364 |
Average impaired loans for the year |  | $ | 9,755 |  |  | $ | 8,791 |  |  | $ | 6,238 |

For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, First Financial recognized interest income on those impaired loans of $496, $396, and $389, respectively. First Financial recognizes income on impaired loans on a cash basis.
9. Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment at December 31 were summarized as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006
Land and land improvements |  | $ | 25,619 |  |  | $ | 23,325 |
Buildings |  |  | 65,168 |  |  |  | 63,198 |
Furniture and fixtures |  |  | 41,900 |  |  |  | 41,389 |
Leasehold improvements |  |  | 8,737 |  |  |  | 8,188 |
Construction in progress |  |  | 566 |  |  |  | 6,045 |
|  |  | 141,990 |  |  |  | 142,145 |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |  |  | 62,996 |  |  |  | 62,536 |
Total |  | $ | 78,994 |  |  | $ | 79,609 |

Rental expense recorded under operating leases in 2007, 2006, and 2005, was $2,289, $2,130, and $2,333, respectively.
Capital lease agreements for land and buildings at December 31, 2007, were immaterial.
Future minimum lease payments for operating leases are as follows:

|  | December 31, |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |
2008 |  | $ | 1,649 |
2009 |  |  | 1,378 |
2010 |  |  | 1,238 |
2011 |  |  | 1,029 |
2012 |  |  | 1,034 |
Thereafter |  |  | 3,423 |
Total |  | $ | 9,751 |

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 45

#####

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
10. Borrowings
The following is a summary of short-term borrowings for the last three years:

|  | 2007 |  |  | 2006 |  |  | 2005 |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Amount |  |  | Rate |  |  | Amount |  |  | Rate |  |  | Amount |  |  | Rate |
At year end |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |  | $ | 26,289 |  |  |  | 2.56 | % |  | $ | 57,201 |  |  |  | 2.79 | % |  | $ | 66,634 |  |  |  | 2.57 | %
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |
Other short-term borrowings |  |  | 72,000 |  |  |  | 5.32 | % |  |  | 39,500 |  |  |  | 5.92 | % |  |  | 45,000 |  |  |  | 5.07 | %
Total |  | $ | 98,289 |  |  |  | 4.58 | % |  | $ | 96,701 |  |  |  | 4.07 | % |  | $ | 111,634 |  |  |  | 3.57 | %
Average for the year |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |  | $ | 34,691 |  |  |  | 2.60 | % |  | $ | 53,599 |  |  |  | 2.45 | % |  | $ | 65,747 |  |  |  | 1.58 | %
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | 16,194 |  |  |  | 2.77 | %
Other short-term borrowings |  |  | 58,018 |  |  |  | 5.74 | % |  |  | 39,707 |  |  |  | 6.18 | % |  |  | 9,028 |  |  |  | 5.26 | %
Total |  | $ | 92,709 |  |  |  | 4.56 | % |  | $ | 93,306 |  |  |  | 4.04 | % |  | $ | 90,969 |  |  |  | 2.16 | %
Maximum month-end balances |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase |  | $ | 49,928 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 59,941 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ | 77,481 |  |  |  |  |
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 68,300 |  |  |  |  |
Other short-term borrowings |  |  | 78,500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 39,500 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 45,000 |  |  |  |  |

Repurchase Agreements are utilized for corporate sweep accounts, on which Cash Management Account Agreements are in place. All are subject to the terms and conditions of Repurchase/Security Agreements between the bank and client. To secure the bank’s liability to the client, First Financial Bank is authorized to sell or repurchase U.S. Treasury, government agencies, and mortgage-backed securities.
First Financial maintains a short-term revolving credit facility with an unaffiliated bank. This facility provides First Financial additional liquidity for various corporate activities, including the repurchase of First Financial shares and the payment of dividends to shareholders. As of December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance was $72,000. First Financial entered into the credit facility for $75,000 during the first quarter of 2007 for a period of one year. In the third quarter of 2007, First Financial increased the line to $85,000 until February 1, 2008, at which time it will be reduced back to $75,000. The outstanding balance on the line was below $75,000 at the time of the line reduction. The variable interest rate on this line of credit is the overnight London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread. The credit agreement requires First Financial to maintain certain covenants including those related to asset quality and capital levels. First Financial was in compliance with all covenants associated with this line of credit as of December 31, 2007.
FHLB advances, both short-term and long-term, were secured by certain residential mortgage loans, as well as certain government and agency securities, with a book value of $565,521 at December 31, 2007. For ease of borrowing execution, First Financial utilizes a blanket collateral agreement with the FHLB.
The following is a summary of FHLB long-term debt:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | December 31, 2007
|  | Amount |  | Average Rate
Federal Home Loan Bank |  | $ | 45,896 |  |  |  | 3.68 | %

FHLB long-term advances mature as follows:

|  | December 31, |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |
2008 |  | $ | 9,493 |
2009 |  |  | 15,000 |
2010 |  |  | 1,423 |
2011 |  |  | 0 |
2012 |  |  | 0 |
Thereafter |  |  | 19,980 |
Total |  | $ | 45,896 |

Other long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of junior subordinated debentures owed to unconsolidated subsidiary trusts. Capital securities were issued in the third quarter of 2003 by a statutory business trust, First Financial (OH) Statutory Trust II (Trust II), and in the third quarter of 2002 by First Financial (OH) Statutory Trust I (Trust I).
The debentures issued in 2002 were eligible for early redemption by First Financial in September 2007, with a final maturity in 2032. In September 2007, First Financial redeemed all the underlying capital securities relating to Trust I. The total outstanding capital securities redeemed were $10,000. The debentures issued in 2003 are eligible for early redemption by First Financial in September 2008, with a final maturity in 2033.
First Financial owns 100% of the common equity of the remaining trust, Trust II. The trust was formed with the sole purpose of issuing the capital securities and investing the proceeds from the sale of such capital securities in the debentures. The debentures held by the trust is the sole asset of the trust. Distributions on the capital securities are payable quarterly at a variable rate of interest, which is equal to the interest rate being earned by the trust on the debentures and are recorded as interest expense of First Financial. The interest rate is subject to change every three months, indexed to the three-month LIBOR. First Financial has the option to defer interest for up to five years on the debentures. However, the covenants prevent the payment of dividends on First Financial’s common stock if the interest is deferred. The capital securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the debentures. First Financial has entered into agreements which, taken collectively, fully or unconditionally guarantee the capital securities subject to the terms of the guarantees. The debenture currently qualifies as Tier I capital under Federal Reserve Board guidelines, but is limited to 25% of qualifying Tier I capital.
46 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

The following is a summary of other long-term debt:

|  | December 31, 2007
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Amount |  | Rate |  | Maturity Date |  | Call Date
First Financial (OH) Statutory Trust II |  | $ | 20,000 |  |  |  | 7.93 | % |  |  | 9/30/2033 |  |  |  | 9/30/2008 |

11. Income Taxes
Income tax expense consisted of the following components:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Current expense (benefit) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal |  | $ | 19,820 |  |  | $ | (4,593 | ) |  | $ | 13,439 |
State |  |  | 1,526 |  |  |  | (318 | ) |  |  | (47 | )
Total |  |  | 21,346 |  |  |  | (4,911 | ) |  |  | 13,392 |
Deferred (benefit) expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Federal |  |  | (3,207 | ) |  |  | 13,747 |  |  |  | (746 | )
State |  |  | (131 | ) |  |  | 613 |  |  |  | (32 | )
Total |  |  | (3,338 | ) |  |  | 14,360 |  |  |  | (778 | )
Income tax expense |  | $ | 18,008 |  |  | $ | 9,449 |  |  | $ | 12,614 |

The difference between the federal income tax rates, applied to income before income taxes, and the effective rates was due to the following:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  |  | 2006 |  |  | 2005 |
Income taxes computed at federal statutory rate (35%) on income before income taxes and before discontinued operations |  | $ | 18,791 |  |  | $ | 10,752 |  |  | $ | 15,197 |
Tax-exempt income |  |  | (1,238 | ) |  |  | (1,519 | ) |  |  | (1,744 | )
Bank-owned life insurance |  |  | (763 | ) |  |  | (763 | ) |  |  | (1,067 | )
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit |  |  | 907 |  |  |  | 192 |  |  |  | (52 | )
Other |  |  | 311 |  |  |  | 787 |  |  |  | 280 |
Income tax expense |  | $ | 18,008 |  |  | $ | 9,449 |  |  | $ | 12,614 |

The major components of the temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2007, and 2006, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  |  | 2006 |
Deferred tax assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for loan and lease losses |  | $ | 10,170 |  |  | $ | 9,585 |
Deferred compensation |  |  | 238 |  |  |  | 185 |
Unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale |  |  | 351 |  |  |  | 403 |
Postretirement benefits other than pension liability |  |  | 738 |  |  |  | 812 |
Accrued stock-based compensation |  |  | 618 |  |  |  | 533 |
Accrued severance payments |  |  | 339 |  |  |  | 812 |
Deferred loan fees and costs |  |  | 51 |  |  |  | 134 |
Other |  |  | 373 |  |  |  | 196 |
Total deferred tax assets |  |  | 12,878 |  |  |  | 12,660 |
Deferred tax liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax depreciation greater than book depreciation |  |  | (2,385 | ) |  |  | (2,613 | )
FHLB stock dividends |  |  | (4,091 | ) |  |  | (4,091 | )
Mortgage-servicing rights |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (1,530 | )
Leasing activities |  |  | (108 | ) |  |  | (319 | )
Prepaid pension |  |  | (6,309 | ) |  |  | (7,898 | )
Intangible assets |  |  | (3,279 | ) |  |  | (2,721 | )
Prepaid expenses |  |  | (607 | ) |  |  | (532 | )
Fair value adjustments on acquisitions |  |  | (604 | ) |  |  | (663 | )
Other |  |  | (1,627 | ) |  |  | (1,763 | )
Total deferred tax liabilities |  |  | (19,010 | ) |  |  | (22,130 | )
Net deferred tax liability recognized through the Consolidated Statements of Earnings |  |  | (6,132 | ) |  |  | (9,470 | )
Net deferred tax asset related to accumulated other comprehensive income items, recognized in equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets |  |  | 4,094 |  |  |  | 7,722 |
Total net deferred tax liability |  | $ | (2,038 | ) |  | $ | (1,748 | )

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 47

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Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
First Financial adopted the provisions of FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes -an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 had no impact on First Financial’s financial statements. At January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2007, First Financial had no FIN 48 unrecognized tax benefits recorded. First Financial does not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly increase within the next twelve months.
First Financial recognizes interest and penalties on income tax assessments or income tax refunds in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of noninterest expense.
First Financial and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of the state of Indiana. First Financial’s income tax returns are subject to review and examination by federal, state, and local government authorities. The calendar years through 2004 have been closed by the Internal Revenue Service. The years open to examination by state and local government authorities vary by jurisdiction and First Financial is not aware of any material outstanding examination matters.
12. Risk-Based Capital
First Financial and its subsidiary, First Financial Bank, are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate regulatory action.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require First Financial to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets and of Tier 1 capital to average assets. Management believes, as of December 31, 2007, that First Financial meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. At December 31, 2007, and 2006, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized First Financial as well-capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well-capitalized, First Financial must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.
First Financial’s Tier 1 capital is comprised of total shareholders’ equity plus junior subordinated debentures, less unrealized gains and losses within accumulated other comprehensive income, intangible assets, and any valuation related to mortgage servicing rights. Total risk-based capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus qualifying allowance for loan and lease losses and gross unrealized gains on equity securities.
For purposes of computing the leverage ratio, average assets represents year-to-date average assets less assets not qualifying for total risk-based capital including intangibles and non-qualifying mortgage servicing assets and allowance for loan and lease losses.
Actual and required capital amounts and ratios are presented below at year-end.

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To Be Well Capitalized
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | For Capital |  | Under Prompt Corrective
|  | Actual |  | Adequacy Purposes |  | Action Provisions
(Dollars in thousands) |  | Amount |  | Ratio |  | Amount |  | Ratio |  | Amount |  | Ratio
December 31, 2007 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total capital to risk-weighted assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated |  | $ | 303,103 |  |  |  | 11.38 | % |  | $ | 213,041 |  |  |  | 8.00 | % |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | N/A |
First Financial Bank |  |  | 341,702 |  |  |  | 12.92 | % |  |  | 211,604 |  |  |  | 8.00 | % |  | $ | 264,505 |  |  |  | 10.00 | %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated |  |  | 274,046 |  |  |  | 10.29 | % |  |  | 106,520 |  |  |  | 4.00 | % |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | N/A |
First Financial Bank |  |  | 305,394 |  |  |  | 11.55 | % |  |  | 105,802 |  |  |  | 4.00 | % |  |  | 158,703 |  |  |  | 6.00 | %
Tier 1 capital to average assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated |  |  | 274,046 |  |  |  | 8.33 | % |  |  | 131,243 |  |  |  | 4.00 | % |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | N/A |
First Financial Bank |  |  | 305,394 |  |  |  | 9.39 | % |  |  | 129,885 |  |  |  | 4.00 | % |  |  | 162,356 |  |  |  | 5.00 | %
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | To Be Well Capitalized
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | For Capital |  | Under Prompt Corrective
|  | Actual |  | Adequacy Purposes |  | Action Provisions
|  | Amount |  | Ratio |  | Amount |  | Ratio |  | Amount |  | Ratio
December 31, 2006 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total capital to risk-weighted assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated |  | $ | 326,779 |  |  |  | 12.81 | % |  | $ | 204,120 |  |  |  | 8.00 | % |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | N/A |
First Financial Bank |  |  | 330,128 |  |  |  | 13.14 | % |  |  | 200,921 |  |  |  | 8.00 | % |  | $ | 251,151 |  |  |  | 10.00 | %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated |  |  | 299,199 |  |  |  | 11.73 | % |  |  | 102,060 |  |  |  | 4.00 | % |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | N/A |
First Financial Bank |  |  | 295,595 |  |  |  | 11.77 | % |  |  | 100,460 |  |  |  | 4.00 | % |  |  | 150,690 |  |  |  | 6.00 | %
Tier 1 capital to average assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Consolidated |  |  | 299,199 |  |  |  | 8.76 | % |  |  | 136,120 |  |  |  | 4.00 | % |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | N/A |
First Financial Bank |  |  | 295,595 |  |  |  | 8.76 | % |  |  | 134,457 |  |  |  | 4.00 | % |  |  | 168,072 |  |  |  | 5.00 | %

48 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

13. Employee Benefit Plans
First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees. First Financial uses a December 31 measurement date for its defined benefit pension plan. Effective in the third quarter of 2007, First Financial amended the defined benefit pension plan formula to change the determination of participant benefits from a final average earnings plan to a cash balance plan. Pension plan participants prior to July 1, 2007, transitioned to the amended plan on January 1, 2008. After July 1, 2007, newly eligible participants entered the amended plan upon their eligibility date.
The following tables set forth information concerning amounts recognized in First Financial’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Earnings:

|  | December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006
Change in benefit obligation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligation at beginning of year |  | $ | 50,448 |  |  | $ | 54,828 |
Service cost |  |  | 3,254 |  |  |  | 3,630 |
Interest cost |  |  | 2,744 |  |  |  | 3,025 |
Curtailment |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (1,346 | )
Settlement |  |  | (6,494 | ) |  |  | (6,131 | )
Amendments |  |  | (6,484 | ) |  |  | 0 |
Actuarial loss (gain) |  |  | 826 |  |  |  | (2,841 | )
Benefits paid, excluding settlement |  |  | (773 | ) |  |  | (717 | )
Benefit obligation at end of year |  |  | 43,521 |  |  |  | 50,448 |
Change in plan assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |  |  | 52,500 |  |  |  | 28,823 |
Actual return on plan assets |  |  | 4,633 |  |  |  | 3,100 |
Employer contributions |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 28,583 |
Settlement |  |  | (6,494 | ) |  |  | (7,289 | )
Benefits paid, excluding settlement |  |  | (773 | ) |  |  | (717 | )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |  |  | 49,866 |  |  |  | 52,500 |
Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets |  |  | 6,345 |  |  |  | 2,052 |
Liabilities |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Net amount recognized |  | $ | 6,345 |  |  | $ | 2,052 |
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  | $ | 17,999 |  |  | $ | 20,589 |
Net prior service cost |  |  | (6,234 | ) |  |  | 63 |
Net transition amount |  |  | (35 | ) |  |  | (88 | )
Deferred tax assets |  |  | (4,280 | ) |  |  | (7,527 | )
Net amount recognized |  | $ | 7,450 |  |  | $ | 13,037 |
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |  | $ | (5,587 | ) |  | $ | 13,037 |
Accumulated benefit obligation |  | $ | 39,694 |  |  | $ | 37,195 |

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 49

#####

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
Components of net periodic benefit cost

|  | December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Service cost |  | $ | 3,254 |  |  | $ | 3,630 |  |  | $ | 3,839 |
Interest cost |  |  | 2,744 |  |  |  | 3,025 |  |  |  | 3,071 |
Expected return on assets |  |  | (4,341 | ) |  |  | (2,890 | ) |  |  | (2,711 | )
Amortization of transition asset |  |  | (47 | ) |  |  | (54 | ) |  |  | (64 | )
Amortization of prior service cost |  |  | (187 | ) |  |  | 55 |  |  |  | 59 |
Recognized net actuarial loss |  |  | 896 |  |  |  | 1,182 |  |  |  | 1,064 |
Curtailment loss |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 7 |  |  |  | 0 |
Settlement loss |  |  | 2,222 |  |  |  | 2,962 |  |  |  | 0 |
Net periodic benefit cost |  |  | 4,541 |  |  |  | 7,917 |  |  |  | 5,258 |
Other changes recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss (gain) |  |  | 534 |  |  |  | (4,411 | ) |  |  | N/A |
Prior service credit |  |  | (6,484 | ) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) |  |  | 187 |  |  |  | (62 | ) |  |  | N/A |
Amortization of gain |  |  | (896 | ) |  |  | (2,998 | ) |  |  | N/A |
Amortization of transition asset |  |  | 47 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |
Settlements |  |  | (2,222 | ) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | N/A |
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (8,834 | ) |  |  | (7,471 | ) |  |  | N/A |
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income (loss) |  | $ | (4,293 | ) |  | $ | 446 |  |  | $ | 5,258 |
Amount expected to be recognized in net periodic pension expense in the coming year |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of loss |  | $ | 958 |  |  | $ | 906 |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost |  |  | (423 | ) |  |  | 50 |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of transition asset |  |  | (35 | ) |  |  | (47 | ) |  |  |  |

Weighted-average assumptions to determine:

|  | December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2006
Benefit obligations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  |  | 6.12 | % |  |  | 5.98 | %
Rate of compensation increase |  |  | 3.50 | % |  |  | 3.50 | %
Net periodic benefit cost |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  |  | 5.98 | % |  |  | 5.86 | %
Expected return on plan assets |  |  | 8.50 | % |  |  | 8.50 | %
Rate of compensation increase |  |  | 3.50 | % |  |  | 3.50 | %

The basis used to determine the overall expected long-term return on plan assets was based on the composition of plan assets and a consensus of estimates from similarly managed portfolios of expected future returns.

|  | Plan Assets at December 31,
|  | 2007 |  | 2006
Asset Category |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Equity securities |  |  | 82.37 | % |  |  | 44.28 | %
Bond securities |  |  | 16.99 | % |  |  | 13.15 | %
Other |  |  | 0.64 | % |  |  | 42.57 | %*
Total |  |  | 100.00 | % |  |  | 100.00 | %

* |  | Includes $22,000 contribution made in December of 2006.

Plan assets are administered by the Wealth Resource Group of First Financial Bank, N.A. and primarily consist of equity and debt mutual funds, as well as money market funds. Approximately 50.25% of plan assets at December 31, 2006, were invested in various options of the Legacy Funds for which First Financial Capital Advisors, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Financial, serves as investment advisor. During 2007, the Legacy Funds were converted to the First Funds. Therefore, at December 31, 2007, 86.24% of plan assets were invested in the First Funds for which First Financial Capital Advisors, LLC, also serves as investment advisor. The 2007 percentage increase is due to the $22,000 First Financial contributed to the pension plan in December of 2006, which was initially invested in money market funds at year-end, but was subsequently invested in Legacy Funds in the first quarter of 2007. The pension plan does not own any shares of First Financial common stock, directly or through any equity fund.
Each fund’s policy provides an investment range that allows the fund’s investment advisor the latitude to manage the account within certain pre-established parameters. First Financial, through its retirement committee, has chosen the Trust-Growth-Balanced Funding Policy which allows an asset mix of 45% to 75% in equity securities and 25% to 55% in fixed income or bond securities.
The plan held 4,136,242 shares of the First Funds Calibur Equity fund at December 31, 2007, with a fair value of $34,538. During 2007, the Legacy Multi-Cap Core Equity fund purchased 1,263,268 shares and sold no shares. During 2007, the First Funds Calibur Equity fund purchased 943,000 shares and sold 63,419 shares of the fund. The plan received dividends of $64 from the Legacy Fund and $7,988 from the First Funds. The plan also held a total of 142,155 shares in other funds at December 31, 2007, with a fair value of $6,537. Dividends received from these funds were $4.
50 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

The plan held assets of the First Funds Sterling Income fund with a cost basis of $3,133 and a fair value of $8,469 at December 31, 2007. During 2007, this fund purchased debt securities with a cost basis of $3,442 and sold debt securities with a cost basis of $578. The Legacy Core Bond fund had no purchases, but sold debt securities with a cost basis of $1,294. The plan received interest income of $170 from the Legacy Core Bond fund and $272 from the First Funds.
Due to the funded status of the pension plan, First Financial does not expect to make any contributions to its pension plan in 2008.
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | Retirement Benefits
2008 |  | $ | 3,113 |
2009 |  |  | 2,896 |
2010 |  |  | 3,105 |
2011 |  |  | 4,082 |
2012 |  |  | 5,509 |
Thereafter |  |  | 27,283 |

First Financial also sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) thrift plan which covers substantially all employees. Employees may contribute up to 50.0% of their base salaries into the plan, not to exceed applicable limitations prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service. During 2007 and 2006, First Financial contributed $0.50 for each $1.00 an employee contributed, up to a maximum First Financial contribution of 3.00% of the employee’s base salary. All First Financial matching contributions vest immediately. First Financial contributions to the 401 (k) plan are at the discretion of the board of directors. Total First Financial contributions to the 401 (k) plan were $1,142 during 2007, $1,198 during 2006, and $967 during 2005.
First Financial has purchased bank-owned life insurance on certain of its employees. The cash surrender value of these policies is carried as an asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in accrued interest and other assets. The carrying value was $74,135 and $82,971 at December 31, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
First Financial adopted EITF 06-5, “Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance -Determining the Amount That Could Be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-4,” effective January 1, 2007. The adoption of EITF 06-5 did not have a material impact on the financial statements of First Financial.
First Financial will adopt EITF 06-4, “Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements,” in the first quarter of 2008, effective January 1. First Financial is currently evaluating the effect the implementation of EITF 06-4 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
First Financial will adopt EITF 06-11, “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards,” in the first quarter of 2008, effective January 1. First Financial is currently evaluating the effect the implementation of EITF 06-11 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
14. Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
First Financial subsidiaries maintain health care and, in limited instances, life insurance plans for certain retired employees. Under the current policy, the health care plans are unfunded and pay medically necessary expenses incurred by retirees after subtracting payments by Medicare or other providers and after deductibles have been met. First Financial has reserved the right to change or eliminate these benefit plans. First Financial uses a December 31 measurement date for its other postretirement benefit plans.
The following table sets forth the funded status and amounts recognized in First Financial’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:

|  | December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006
Change in benefit obligation |  | $ | 1,442 |  |  | $ | 1,514 |
Benefit obligation at beginning of year |  |  | 80 |  |  |  | 84 |
Interest cost |  |  | 57 |  |  |  | 50 |
Plan participants’ contributions |  |  | 133 |  |  |  | 73 |
Actuarial loss |  |  | (254 | ) |  |  | (279 | )
Benefits paid |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligation at end of year |  |  | 1,458 |  |  |  | 1,442 |
Change in plan assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Employer contributions |  |  | 197 |  |  |  | 229 |
Plan participants’ contributions |  |  | 57 |  |  |  | 50 |
Disbursements |  |  | (254 | ) |  |  | (279 | )
Fair value of plan assets at beginning and end of year |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Assets Liabilities |  |  | 1,458 |  |  |  | 1,442 |
Net amount recognized |  | $ | 1,458 |  |  | $ | 1,442 |
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss (gain) |  | $ | 8 |  |  | $ | (125 | )
Net prior service cost |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (4 | )
Net transition (asset) obligation |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Deferred tax liabilities |  |  | (3 | ) |  |  | 47 |
Net amount recognized |  | $ | 5 |  |  | $ | (82 | )
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |  | $ | 87 |  |  | $ | (82 | )
Information for plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated benefit obligation |  | $ | 1,458 |  |  | $ | 1,442 |
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine obligations at year end |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  |  | 6.12 | % |  |  | 5.86 | %

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 51

#####

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements

Components of net periodic benefit cost |  | 2007 |  | 2006
Interest cost |  | $ | 80 |  |  | $ | 84 |
Amortization of prior service cost |  |  | (4 | ) |  |  | (4 | )
Amortization of net actuarial gain |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (3 | )
Net periodic benefit cost |  | $ | 76 |  |  | $ | 77 |
Other changes in Plan Assets and Obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss |  |  | 133 |  |  |  | 73 |
Amortization of prior service cost |  |  | 4 |  |  |  | 4 |
Amortization of loss |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 3 |
Total recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss |  |  | 137 |  |  |  | 80 |
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and accumulated other comprehensive income |  | $ | 213 |  |  | $ | 157 |
Amount expected to be recognized in net periodic pension expense in the coming year |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of prior service cost |  | $ | 0 |  |  | $ | (4 | )

|  | 2007 |  | 2006
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine accumulated postretirement benefit obligation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate |  |  | 5.86 | % |  |  | 5.86 | %
Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31, |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year |  |  | 10.00 | % |  |  | 9.00 | %
Ultimate trend rate |  |  | 5.00 | % |  |  | 5.00 | %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate |  |  | 2013 |  |  |  | 2011 |

Assumed health care trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for health care plans. Since there are no new entrants to the health care plan, there is no effect on service cost. However, a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care trend rates would have the following effects:

|  | 2007 |  | 2006
Effect of 1-Percent Point Increase |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest cost |  | $ | 6 |  |  |  | N/A |
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation |  | $ | 110 |  |  | $ | 109 |
Effect of 1-Percent Point Decrease |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest cost |  | $ | (6 | ) |  |  | N/A |
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation |  | $ | (100 | ) |  | $ | (99 | )

First Financial’s other postretirement benefit plan weighted average asset allocation at December 31, 2007, and 2006, by asset category was 100% invested in a federal money fund.
The following is an estimate of future benefit payments, net of retirees contributions, expected to be paid:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | Retirement Benefits
2008 |  | $ | 171 |
2009 |  |  | 170 |
2010 |  |  | 167 |
2011 |  |  | 161 |
2012 |  |  | 153 |
Thereafter |  |  | 666 |

On December 8, 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (the Act) of 2003 was enacted. FASB Staff Position No. 106-2 provides guidance on the accounting effects of the Act of 2003 for employers that sponsor postretirement health care plans that provide prescription drug benefits. As stated above, there are no new entrants into the health care plan. Therefore, any measures of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the accompanying Notes do not reflect the effects of the Act on the plan.
15. Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share — income available to common shareholders: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income from continued operations |  | $ | 35,681 |  |  | $ | 21,271 |  |  | $ | 30,808 |
Income from discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 7,125 |
Net income |  | $ | 35,681 |  |  | $ | 21,271 |  |  | $ | 37,933 |
Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average shares |  |  | 38,455,084 |  |  |  | 39,539,114 |  |  |  | 43,084,378 |
Effect of dilutive securities — employee stock options |  |  | 4,054 |  |  |  | 22,896 |  |  |  | 88,372 |
Denominator for diluted earnings per share — adjusted weighted average shares |  |  | 38,459,138 |  |  |  | 39,562,010 |  |  |  | 43,172,750 |
Earnings per share from continued operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.72 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.71 |
Earnings per share from discontinued operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.17 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.00 |  |  | $ | 0.17 |
Earnings per share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.89 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.93 |  |  | $ | 0.54 |  |  | $ | 0.88 |

52 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

Options to purchase 2,127,782 shares, 1,062,332 shares, and 239,826 shares were outstanding at December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively. These options were not included in the computation of net income per diluted share because the exercise price of these options was greater than the average market price of the common shares. Therefore, the effect would be antidilutive.
16. Stock Options And Awards
First Financial adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) effective January 1, 2006, using the modified-prospective transition method, which requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognition of compensation expense over the service period for all awards expected to vest. Share-based compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock awards included in salaries and employee benefits expensed for the year ended December 31, 2007, and 2006, was $1,384 and $1,728, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation was $5,042 at December 31, 2007 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years.
Under the intrinsic method of accounting, compensation expense for years prior to 2006 had not been recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for stock-based compensation plans, other than for restricted stock awards. The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and earnings per share if First Financial had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2005:

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) |  | 2005 |
Net income, as reported |  | $ | 37,933 |
Add: restricted stock expense, net of taxes, included in net income |  |  | 1,086 |
Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects |  |  | 1,374 |
Pro forma net income |  | $ | 37,645 |
Earnings per share |  |  |  |
Basic — as reported |  | $ | 0.88 |
Basic — pro forma |  | $ | 0.87 |
Diluted — as reported |  | $ | 0.88 |
Diluted — pro forma |  | $ | 0.87 |

As of December 31, 2007, First Financial had two stock-based compensation plans. The 1991 Stock Incentive Plan provides incentive stock options and stock awards to certain key employees and non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of First Financial for up to 1,691,036 common shares of First Financial. The options are not exercisable for at least one year from the date of grant and are thereafter exercisable for such periods (which may not exceed 10 years) as the board of directors, or a committee thereof, specifies, provided that the optionee has remained in the employment of First Financial and its subsidiaries. All options expire at the end of the exercise period, and forfeited or expired options become available for re-issuance. On April 27, 1999, the shareholders approved the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan that provides for 7,507,500 shares for similar awards and options.
First Financial utilized the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the fair value of its stock options. As well as the stock option strike price, the Black-Scholes valuation model requires the use of the following assumptions: the expected dividend yield based on historical dividend payouts; the expected stock price volatility based on historical volatilities of company stock for a period approximating the expected life of the options; the risk-free rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option; and the expected option life represented by the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding and is based on historical trends. The estimated fair value of the options granted as well as, the weighted average assumptions used in the computations are as follows:

|  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Fair value of options granted |  | $ | 2.17 |  |  | $ | 2.88 |  |  | $ | 2.72 |
Expected dividend yield |  |  | 4.30 | % |  |  | 3.99 | % |  |  | 3.63 | %
Expected volatility |  |  | 0.188 |  |  |  | 0.210 |  |  |  | 0.204 |
Risk-free interest rate |  |  | 4.56 | % |  |  | 4.94 | % |  |  | 3.92 | %
Expected life |  | 6.93 years |  | 6.88 years |  | 5.23 years

Activity in the stock option plan for the year ended December 31, 2007, is summarized as follows:

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Weighted |  |
|  | Number |  | Weighted Average |  | Average Remaining |  | Aggregate
|  | of shares |  | Exercise Price |  | Contractual Life |  | Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at beginning of year |  |  | 1,895,699 |  |  | $ | 17.07 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Granted |  |  | 596,800 |  |  |  | 14.90 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Exercised |  |  | (13,426 | ) |  |  | 12.06 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Forfeited or expired |  |  | (349,291 | ) |  |  | 17.09 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Outstanding at end of year |  |  | 2,129,782 |  |  | $ | 16.49 |  |  | 6.72 years |  | $ | 0 |
Exercisable at end of year |  |  | 1,032,521 |  |  | $ | 17.35 |  |  | 4.61 years |  | $ | 0 |

Intrinsic value for stock options is defined as the difference between the current market value and the grant price. First Financial uses treasury shares purchased under the company’s share repurchase program to satisfy share-based exercises.

|  | 2007 |  | 2006
Total intrinsic value of options exercised |  | $ | 56 |  |  | $ | 188 |
Cash received from exercises |  | $ | 82 |  |  | $ | 254 |
Tax benefit from exercises |  | $ | 341 |  |  | $ | 517 |

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 53

#####

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
Restricted stock awards have historically been recorded as deferred compensation, a component of shareholders’ equity at the fair value of these awards at the grant date and amortized on a straight-line basis to salaries and benefits expense over the specified vesting periods, which is currently four years. For all awards granted prior to 2005 and for awards granted to non-employee directors in 2006 and 2007, the vesting of the awards only required a service period to be met. Therefore, 25.00% of each grant vested in each of the four years. For restricted stock awards granted to employees in 2005, 2006 and 2007, First Financial must meet a minimum performance goal of 12.00% annual return on average equity. As the annual return on average equity goal was not met in 2005 or 2006, but was met in 2007, the annual vesting of 25.00% of the awards granted in 2005 and 2006 did not occur. However, the annual vesting of 25.00% of the 2005, 2006, and 2007 awards associated with 2007, will vest. If the cumulative period return on average equity (grant date through next measurement date of December 2008) is 12.00% or higher, the remaining 75.00% of the 2005 awards and 50% of the 2006 awards would cumulatively vest, as well as the 25.00% of the 2007 and 2008 awards.
The following is a summary of activity in restricted stock for the year ended December 31, 2007:

|  |  |  |  |  | Weighted Average
|  | Number |  | Grant Date
|  | of shares |  | Fair Value
Nonvested at beginning of year |  |  | 225,709 |  |  | $ | 16.76 |
Granted |  |  | 151,440 |  |  |  | 14.88 |
Vested |  |  | (41,104 | ) |  |  | 16.81 |
Forfeited |  |  | (27,938 | ) |  |  | 16.37 |
Nonvested at end of year |  |  | 308,107 |  |  | $ | 15.86 |

The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of First Financial’s common stock. The total fair value of restricted stock vested was $691 and $1,261 during 2007 and 2006, respectively.
17. Loans to Related Parties
Activity of loans to directors, executive officers, principal holders of First Financial’s common stock, and certain related persons was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Beginning balance |  | $ | 16,388 |  |  | $ | 18,719 |  |  | $ | 28,691 |
Additions |  |  | 6,960 |  |  |  | 5,912 |  |  |  | 8,346 |
Collected |  |  | 1,912 |  |  |  | 8,243 |  |  |  | 18,318 |
Ending balance |  | $ | 21,436 |  |  | $ | 16,388 |  |  | $ | 18,719 |
Loans 90 days past due |  | $ | 0 |  |  | $ | 0 |  |  | $ | 0 |

Related parties of First Financial, as defined above, were clients of and had transactions with subsidiaries of First Financial in the ordinary course of business during the periods noted above. Additional transactions may be expected in the ordinary course of business in the future. All outstanding loans, commitments, financing leases, transactions in money market instruments and deposit relationships included in such transactions were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with others, and did not involve more than a normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.
18. Shareholder Rights Plan
First Financial has a “shareholder rights plan” under which the holders of First Financial’s common stock are entitled to receive one “right” per share held.
Under the plan, each “right” would be distributed only on the 20th business day after any one of the following events occurs: 1) A public announcement that a person or group has acquired 20 percent or more (an “acquiring person”) of First Financial’s outstanding common shares, 2) The beginning of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person or group owning 30 percent or more of the corporation’s outstanding common shares, or 3) A declaration by the board of directors of a shareholder as an “adverse person.” (An adverse person is a person who owns at least 10 percent of the common shares and attempts “greenmail,” or is likely to cause a material adverse impact on First Financial — such as impairing client relationships, harming the company’s competitive position or hindering the board’s ability to effect a transaction it deems to be in the shareholders’ best interest.)
In the event of such a distribution, each “right” would entitle the holder to purchase, at an exercise price of $38.96, one share of common stock of the corporation. Subject to the “exchange option” described below, if a person or group acquires 30 percent or more of First Financial’s outstanding common shares or is declared an “adverse person” by the board of directors of the corporation, each “right” would entitle the holder to purchase, at an exercise price of $38.96, a number (to be determined under the plan) of shares of common stock of the corporation at a price equal to 50 percent of its then current market price. However, any “rights” held by an “acquiring person” or an “adverse person” could not be exercised.
Additionally, each “right” holder would be entitled to receive common stock of any acquiring company worth two times the exercise price of the “right,” should either of the following happen after a person becomes an “acquiring person”: 1) First Financial is acquired in a merger or other transaction — other than a merger which the independent directors determine to be in the best interest of First Financial and its shareholders, or 2) 50 percent or more of First Financial’s assets or earning power is sold or transferred.
At any time after any person becomes an “acquiring person” or an “adverse person,” the plan gives First Financial’s board of directors the option (the “exchange option”) to exchange all or part of the outstanding “rights” (except “rights” held by an “acquiring person” or an “adverse person”) for shares of First Financial’s common stock at an exchange ratio of 0.8 shares of common stock per “right.” In the event that First Financial’s board of directors adopts the “exchange option,” each “right” would entitle the holder there of to receive 0.8 shares of common stock per “right.” Any partial exchange would be effected pro rata based on the number of “rights” held by each holder of “rights” included in the exchange.
First Financial may redeem “rights” for $0.01 per “right” at any time prior to the 20th business day following the date when a person acquires 20 percent of the outstanding shares. First Financial may not redeem the “rights” when a holder has become an “adverse person.”
The board’s adoption of this “rights” plan has no financial effect on First Financial, is not dilutive to First Financial shareholders, is not taxable to the corporation or its shareholders, and will not change the way in which First Financial common shares are traded. “Rights” are not exercisable until distributed; and all “rights” will expire at the close of business on December 6, 2008, unless earlier redeemed by First Financial.
54 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

19. Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used by First Financial in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
Cash and short-term investments — The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and short-term investments, such as federal funds sold, approximated the fair value of those instruments.
Investment securities (including mortgage-backed securities) — Fair values for investment securities were based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices were not available, fair values were based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments. (Refer to Note 7 for further disclosure.)
Loans — The fair values of loans and leases, such as commercial real estate and consumer loans were estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans and leases would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities or repricing frequency. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximated its fair value.
Mortgage-servicing rights — The fair value of mortgage-servicing rights in 2006 was determined through modeling the expected future cash flows. The modeling included stratification by maturity and coupon rates on the underlying mortgage loans. Certain assumptions were used in the valuation regarding prepayment speeds, discount rates, servicing costs, delinquency, cash balances, and foreclosure costs which were arrived at from third-party sources and internal records.
Deposit liabilities — The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money-market deposits was the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The carrying amounts for variable-rate certificates of deposit approximated their fair values at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit was estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which applies the interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The carrying amount of accrued interest approximated its fair value.
Borrowings — The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other short-term borrowings approximated their fair values. The fair value of long-term debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation which utilizes the interest rates currently offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities. Third-party valuations were used for long-term debt with embedded options, such as call features. The carrying amount of the other long-term borrowings, or trust preferred securities, approximate its fair value.
Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit — Pricing of these financial instruments is based on the credit quality and relationship fees, interest rates, probability of funding and compensating balance and other covenants or requirements. Loan commitments generally have fixed expiration dates, are variable rate and contain termination and other clauses which provide for relief from funding in the event that there is a significant deterioration in the credit quality of the client. Many loan commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon. The rates and terms of the commitments to extend credit and the standby letters of credit are competitive with those in First Financial’s market area. The carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of the fair value of these financial instruments. Carrying amounts which are comprised of the unamortized fee income and, where necessary, reserves for any expected credit losses from these financial instruments, are immaterial. (Refer to Note 5 for additional information.)
Derivative financial instruments — Fair values for derivative financial instruments specifically interest rate swaps, were determined using market quotes for those instruments.
First Financial does not carry financial instruments which are held or issued for trading purposes.
In September of 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157 (SFAS No. 157), “Fair Value Measurements.” This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. First Financial will adopt SFAS No. 157 in the first quarter of 2008 effective January 1, and is currently evaluating the effect the implementation of SFAS No. 157 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February of 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159 (SFAS No. 159), “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities— Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” This statement permits the measurement of many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument, irrevocable basis. First Financial will adopt SFAS No. 159 in the first quarter of 2008 effective January 1, and is currently evaluating the effect the implementation of SFAS No. 159 will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
The estimated fair values of First Financial’s financial instruments at December 31 were as follows:

|  | 2007 |  | 2006
|  | Carrying |  | Fair |  | Carrying |  | Fair
(Dollars in thousands) |  | value |  | value |  | value |  | value
Financial assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and short-term investments |  | $ | 213,214 |  |  | $ | 213,214 |  |  | $ | 221,407 |  |  | $ | 221,407 |
Investment securities held-to-maturity |  |  | 5,639 |  |  |  | 5,814 |  |  |  | 7,995 |  |  |  | 8,154 |
Investment securities available-for-sale |  |  | 306,928 |  |  |  | 306,928 |  |  |  | 324,259 |  |  |  | 324,259 |
Other investments |  |  | 33,969 |  |  |  | 33,969 |  |  |  | 33,969 |  |  |  | 33,969 |
Loans |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial |  |  | 785,143 |  |  |  | 788,985 |  |  |  | 673,445 |  |  |  | 671,024 |
Real estate — construction |  |  | 151,432 |  |  |  | 152,208 |  |  |  | 101,688 |  |  |  | 102,883 |
Real estate — mortgage |  |  | 1,245,741 |  |  |  | 1,242,350 |  |  |  | 1,252,182 |  |  |  | 1,247,303 |
Installment |  |  | 389,783 |  |  |  | 393,331 |  |  |  | 427,009 |  |  |  | 421,840 |
Credit card |  |  | 26,610 |  |  |  | 26,750 |  |  |  | 24,587 |  |  |  | 24,868 |
Leasing |  |  | 378 |  |  |  | 381 |  |  |  | 923 |  |  |  | 850 |
Less allowance for loan and lease losses |  |  | 29,057 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27,386 |  |  |  |  |
Net loans |  |  | 2,570,030 |  |  |  | 2,604,005 |  |  |  | 2,452,448 |  |  |  | 2,468,768 |
Loans held for sale |  |  | 1,515 |  |  |  | 1,515 |  |  |  | 8,824 |  |  |  | 8,824 |
Mortgage-servicing rights |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 4,448 |  |  |  | 6,516 |
Accrued interest receivable |  |  | 19,520 |  |  |  | 19,520 |  |  |  | 18,651 |  |  |  | 18,651 |
Derivative financial instruments |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | 357 |  |  |  | 357 |
Financial liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Deposits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Noninterest-bearing |  |  | 465,731 |  |  |  | 465,731 |  |  |  | 424,138 |  |  |  | 424,138 |
Interest-bearing demand |  |  | 603,870 |  |  |  | 603,870 |  |  |  | 667,305 |  |  |  | 667,305 |
Savings |  |  | 596,636 |  |  |  | 596,636 |  |  |  | 526,663 |  |  |  | 526,663 |
Time |  |  | 1,227,954 |  |  |  | 1,239,278 |  |  |  | 1,179,852 |  |  |  | 1,174,832 |
Total deposits |  |  | 2,894,191 |  |  |  | 2,905,515 |  |  |  | 2,797,958 |  |  |  | 2,792,938 |
Short-term borrowings |  |  | 98,289 |  |  |  | 98,289 |  |  |  | 96,701 |  |  |  | 96,701 |
Federal Home Loan Bank long-term debt |  |  | 45,896 |  |  |  | 43,380 |  |  |  | 63,762 |  |  |  | 58,619 |
Other long-term debt |  |  | 20,620 |  |  |  | 20,620 |  |  |  | 30,930 |  |  |  | 30,930 |
Accrued interest payable |  |  | 8,675 |  |  |  | 8,675 |  |  |  | 6,755 |  |  |  | 6,755 |
Derivative financial instruments |  |  | 787 |  |  |  | 787 |  |  |  | N/A |  |  |  | N/A |

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 55

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Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
20. First Financial Bancorp. (Parent Company Only) Financial Information
Balance Sheets

|  | December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006
Assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash |  | $ | 7,184 |  |  | $ | 4,457 |
Investment securities, available for sale |  |  | 2,202 |  |  |  | 2,412 |
Subordinated notes from subsidiaries |  |  | 7,500 |  |  |  | 7,500 |
Investment in subsidiaries |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial banks |  |  | 302,288 |  |  |  | 286,485 |
Nonbanks |  |  | 19,865 |  |  |  | 19,760 |
Total investment in subsidiaries |  |  | 322,153 |  |  |  | 306,245 |
Loans |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 192 |
Real estate |  |  | 4,097 |  |  |  | 4,205 |
Total loans |  |  | 4,097 |  |  |  | 4,397 |
Allowance for loan and lease losses |  |  | 249 |  |  |  | 398 |
Net loans |  |  | 3,848 |  |  |  | 3,999 |
Bank premises and equipment |  |  | 934 |  |  |  | 990 |
Other assets |  |  | 33,716 |  |  |  | 39,090 |
Total assets |  | $ | 377,537 |  |  | $ | 364,693 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term borrowings |  | $ | 72,000 |  |  | $ | 39,500 |
Long-term debt |  |  | 20,620 |  |  |  | 30,930 |
Dividends payable |  |  | 6,352 |  |  |  | 6,290 |
Other liabilities |  |  | 1,982 |  |  |  | 2,494 |
Total liabilities |  |  | 100,954 |  |  |  | 79,214 |
Shareholders’ equity |  |  | 276,583 |  |  |  | 285,479 |
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity |  | $ | 377,537 |  |  | $ | 364,693 |

Statements of Earnings |  | Year ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest income |  | $ | 320 |  |  | $ | 713 |  |  | $ | 716 |
Noninterest income |  |  | 260 |  |  |  | 875 |  |  |  | 691 |
Investment securities losses |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (3 | )
Dividends from subsidiaries |  |  | 31,700 |  |  |  | 40,831 |  |  |  | 41,818 |
Total income |  |  | 32,280 |  |  |  | 42,419 |  |  |  | 43,222 |
Expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,495 |
Interest expense |  |  | 5,758 |  |  |  | 5,061 |  |  |  | 0 |
Provision for (recovery of) loan and lease losses |  |  | 43 |  |  |  | (1,083 | ) |  |  | 9,517 |
Salaries and employee benefits |  |  | 1,997 |  |  |  | 7,364 |  |  |  | 3,271 |
Miscellaneous professional services |  |  | 464 |  |  |  | 1,156 |  |  |  | 1,189 |
Other |  |  | 1,732 |  |  |  | 2,198 |  |  |  |  |
Total expenses |  |  | 9,994 |  |  |  | 14,696 |  |  |  | 16,472 |
Income before income taxes and equity in undistributed net income of (excess dividends from) subsidiaries |  |  | 22,286 |  |  |  | 27,723 |  |  |  | 26,750 |
Income tax benefit |  |  | (3,229 | ) |  |  | (3,973 | ) |  |  | (4,825 | )
Equity in undistributed net income of (excess dividends from) subsidiaries |  |  | 10,166 |  |  |  | (10,425 | ) |  |  | (767 | )
Income from continuing operations |  |  | 35,681 |  |  |  | 21,271 |  |  |  | 30,808 |
Income from discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 7,125 |
Net income |  | $ | 35,681 |  |  | $ | 21,271 |  |  | $ | 37,933 |

56 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

Statements of Cash Flows

|  | Year ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) |  | 2007 |  | 2006 |  | 2005
Operating activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income |  | $ | 35,681 |  |  | $ | 21,271 |  |  | $ | 37,933 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Equity in undistributed net income of) excess dividends from subsidiaries |  |  | (10,166 | ) |  |  | 10,425 |  |  |  | 767 |
Provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 43 |  |  |  | (1,083 | ) |  |  | 0 |
Depreciation and amortization |  |  | 79 |  |  |  | 125 |  |  |  | 230 |
Stock-based compensation expense |  |  | 1,384 |  |  |  | 1,728 |  |  |  | 1,671 |
Pension expense |  |  | 270 |  |  |  | 815 |  |  |  | 336 |
Deferred income taxes |  |  | 122 |  |  |  | 1,445 |  |  |  | (1,349 | )
Increase (decrease) in dividends payable |  |  | 62 |  |  |  | (562 | ) |  |  | 296 |
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses |  |  | (508 | ) |  |  | (1,411 | ) |  |  | 474 |
Decrease (increase) in other assets |  |  | 5,319 |  |  |  | (3,771 | ) |  |  | 259 |
Contribution to pension plan |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (2,125 | ) |  |  | (441 | )
Net decrease from discontinued operations |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 9,515 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |  |  | 32,286 |  |  |  | 26,857 |  |  |  | 49,691 |
Investing activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Capital contributions to subsidiaries |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (462 | ) |  |  | 0 |
Proceeds from calls and maturities of investment securities |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 3,000 |  |  |  | 2 |
Purchases of investment securities, available-for-sale |  |  | (77 | ) |  |  | (2,013 | ) |  |  | 0 |
Net decrease in loans |  |  | 108 |  |  |  | 2,570 |  |  |  | 609 |
Purchases of premises and equipment |  |  | (15 | ) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | (207 | )
Other |  |  | (84 | ) |  |  | (261 | ) |  |  | (564 | )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |  |  | (68 | ) |  |  | 2,834 |  |  |  | (160 | )
Financing activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings |  |  | 32,500 |  |  |  | (5,500 | ) |  |  | 43,000 |
Redemption of long-term debt |  |  | (10,000 | ) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Cash dividends |  |  | (24,845 | ) |  |  | (25,308 | ) |  |  | (27,671 | )
Treasury stock purchases |  |  | (27,297 | ) |  |  | (6,561 | ) |  |  | (78,344 | )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased |  |  | 82 |  |  |  | 254 |  |  |  | 201 |
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation |  |  | 69 |  |  |  | 87 |  |  |  | 0 |
Net cash used in financing activities |  |  | (29,491 | ) |  |  | (37,028 | ) |  |  | (62,814 | )
Increase (decrease) in cash |  |  | 2,727 |  |  |  | (7,337 | ) |  |  | (13,283 | )
Cash at beginning of year |  |  | 4,457 |  |  |  | 11,794 |  |  |  | 25,077 |
Cash at end of year |  | $ | 7,184 |  |  | $ | 4,457 |  |  | $ | 11,794 |

First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 57

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Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
21. Discontinued Operations
On September 16, 2005, First Financial completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of its Fidelity Federal Savings Bank subsidiary. Fidelity Federal is reported as a discontinued operation for financial reporting purposes for 2005. The results of its operations and its cash flows have been removed from First Financial’s results of continuing operations for 2005.
The results of Fidelity Federal are presented as discontinued operations in a separate category on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings following the results from continuing operations. There were no earnings from discontinued operations in 2007 and 2006. The earnings from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2005 is as follows:

|  | Year ended |
(Dollars in thousands) |  | December 31, 2005 |
Interest income |  |  |  |
Loans, including fees |  | $ | 4,034 |
Investment securities |  |  | 354 |
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks |  |  | 55 |
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell |  |  | 109 |
Total interest income |  |  | 4,552 |
Interest expense |  |  |  |
Deposits |  |  | 1,197 |
Long-term borrowings |  |  | 865 |
Total interest expense |  |  | 2,062 |
Net interest income |  |  | 2,490 |
Provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 50 |
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 2,440 |
Noninterest income |  |  |  |
Service charges on deposit accounts |  |  | 154 |
Gain on sale of discontinued operations |  |  | 10,366 |
Other |  |  | (87 | )
Total noninterest income |  |  | 10,433 |
Noninterest expenses |  |  |  |
Salaries and employee benefits |  |  | 1,032 |
Net occupancy |  |  | 67 |
Furniture and equipment |  |  | 45 |
Data processing |  |  | 369 |
Other |  |  | 411 |
Total noninterest expenses |  |  | 1,924 |
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes |  |  | 10,949 |
Income tax expense |  |  | 3,824 |
Income from discontinued operations |  | $ | 7,125 |

58 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

#####

Quarterly Financial And Common Stock Data (Unaudited)

|  | Three months ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) |  | March 31 |  | June 30 |  | September 30 |  | December 31
2007 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest income |  | $ | 51,620 |  |  | $ | 51,205 |  |  | $ | 52,184 |  |  | $ | 51,433 |
Interest expense |  |  | 21,217 |  |  |  | 21,604 |  |  |  | 22,767 |  |  |  | 22,354 |
Net interest income |  |  | 30,403 |  |  |  | 29,601 |  |  |  | 29,417 |  |  |  | 29,079 |
Provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 1,356 |  |  |  | 2,098 |  |  |  | 2,558 |  |  |  | 1,640 |
Noninterest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain on sale of merchant processing portfolio |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 5,501 |
Gain on sale of mortgage servicing rights |  |  | 1,061 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
Gains on sales of investment securities |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 367 |  |  |  | 0 |
All other |  |  | 13,683 |  |  |  | 14,132 |  |  |  | 14,083 |  |  |  | 14,761 |
Noninterest expenses |  |  | 31,210 |  |  |  | 29,440 |  |  |  | 28,725 |  |  |  | 31,372 |
Income before income taxes |  |  | 12,581 |  |  |  | 12,195 |  |  |  | 12,584 |  |  |  | 16,329 |
Income tax expense |  |  | 4,146 |  |  |  | 4,023 |  |  |  | 4,211 |  |  |  | 5,628 |
Net income |  | $ | 8,435 |  |  | $ | 8,172 |  |  | $ | 8,373 |  |  | $ | 10,701 |
Earnings per share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.22 |  |  | $ | 0.21 |  |  | $ | 0.22 |  |  | $ | 0.29 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.22 |  |  | $ | 0.21 |  |  | $ | 0.22 |  |  | $ | 0.29 |
Cash dividends paid |  | $ | 0.16 |  |  | $ | 0.16 |  |  | $ | 0.16 |  |  | $ | 0.16 |
Market price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
High |  | $ | 16.76 |  |  | $ | 15.72 |  |  | $ | 15.12 |  |  | $ | 13.89 |
Low |  | $ | 14.83 |  |  | $ | 14.43 |  |  | $ | 10.76 |  |  | $ | 10.12 |
2006 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest income |  | $ | 50,684 |  |  | $ | 50,741 |  |  | $ | 52,324 |  |  | $ | 51,776 |
Interest expense |  |  | 18,485 |  |  |  | 18,794 |  |  |  | 21,501 |  |  |  | 21,672 |
Net interest income |  |  | 32,199 |  |  |  | 31,947 |  |  |  | 30,823 |  |  |  | 30,104 |
Provision for loan and lease losses |  |  | 752 |  |  |  | 360 |  |  |  | 2,888 |  |  |  | 5,822 |
Noninterest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain on sales of branches |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 12,545 |  |  |  | 0 |
Losses on sales of investment securities |  |  | (476 | ) |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |  |  |  | 0 |
All other |  |  | 13,447 |  |  |  | 13,829 |  |  |  | 15,735 |  |  |  | 12,904 |
Noninterest expenses |  |  | 38,877 |  |  |  | 38,684 |  |  |  | 37,185 |  |  |  | 37,769 |
Income before income taxes |  |  | 5,541 |  |  |  | 6,732 |  |  |  | 19,030 |  |  |  | (583 | )
Income tax expense |  |  | 1,574 |  |  |  | 2,374 |  |  |  | 6,911 |  |  |  | (1,410 | )
Net income |  | $ | 3,967 |  |  | $ | 4,358 |  |  | $ | 12,119 |  |  | $ | 827 |
Earnings per share |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.10 |  |  | $ | 0.11 |  |  | $ | 0.31 |  |  | $ | 0.02 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.10 |  |  | $ | 0.11 |  |  | $ | 0.31 |  |  | $ | 0.02 |
Cash dividends paid |  | $ | 0.16 |  |  | $ | 0.16 |  |  | $ | 0.16 |  |  | $ | 0.16 |
Market price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
High |  | $ | 18.32 |  |  | $ | 16.68 |  |  | $ | 16.04 |  |  | $ | 17.50 |
Low |  | $ | 15.88 |  |  | $ | 14.63 |  |  | $ | 14.20 |  |  | $ | 15.52 |

First Financial Bancorp. common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol FFBC.
First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 59

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Financial Performance (Unaudited)
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total return of the Corporation with that of companies that comprise the Nasdaq Market Index and a peer group comprised of all actively traded bank holding companies in Ohio and Indiana and one actively traded bank holding company in Illinois (the “Peer Group”).
The following table assumes $100 invested on January 1, 2002 in the Corporation, the Nasdaq Market Index and equally in the Peer Group and assumes that dividends are reinvested. The returns of the issuers comprising the Peer Group have been weighted according to their respective stock market capitalization.
COMPARISON OF FIVE—YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP, NASDAQ MARKET INDEX AND PEER GROUP INDEX

|  | 2002 |  | 2003 |  | 2004 |  | 2005 |  | 2006 |  | 2007
First Financial Bancorp |  |  | 100.00 |  |  |  | 100.08 |  |  |  | 113.53 |  |  |  | 117.66 |  |  |  | 116.05 |  |  |  | 83.61 |
Peer group index |  |  | 100.00 |  |  |  | 115.88 |  |  |  | 119.04 |  |  |  | 109.33 |  |  |  | 122.85 |  |  |  | 75.09 |
Nasdaq market index |  |  | 100.00 |  |  |  | 150.36 |  |  |  | 163.00 |  |  |  | 166.58 |  |  |  | 183.68 |  |  |  | 201.91 |

The Peer Group is comprised of 1st Source Corporation, Amcore Financial, Inc, Community Bank Shares of Indiana, Inc., Fifth Third Bancorp, First Citizens Banc Corp, First Financial Bancorp., First Financial Corporation, First Indiana Corporation, First Merchants Corporation, FirstMerit Corporation, German American Bancorp, Home Federal Bancorp, Horizon Bancorp, Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, Integra Bank Corporation, Irwin Financial Corporation, Keycorp, Lakeland Financial Corporation, LNB Bancorp, Inc., Mainsource Financial Group, Monroe Bancorp, National City Corporation, NB&T Financial Group, Inc., Ohio Legacy Corp, Ohio Valley Banc Corp, Old National Bancorp, Park National Corporation, Peoples Bancorp Inc., Rurban Financial Corp., Tower Financial Corporation, United Bancorp, Inc., and United Bancshares, Inc. The following entities have been removed from the Peer Group due to their merger or acquisition in 2007: Oak Hill Financial, Inc., Sky Financial Group and St. Joseph Capital Corporation.
60 First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report

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Shareholder Information First Financial Bancorp 2007 Annual Report 19 Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at The Queen City Club 331 E. Fourth Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 10:00 a.m. (Local Time) Form 10-K For copies of First Financial Bancorpis Form 10-K, write to: J. Franklin Hall Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer First Financial Bancorp 4000 Smith Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45209 1-513-979-5770 1-513-979-5780 (fax) frank.hall@bankatfirst.com Transfer Agent and Registrar Registrar and Transfer Company 10 Commerce Drive Cranford, New Jersey 07016 1-800-368-5948 1-908-497-2312 (fax) Listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market Common Stock Symbol: FFBC bankatfirst.com

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First First Financial Bancorp Another step on the path to success First Financial Bancorp 4000 Smith Road, Suite 400 Cincinnati, OH 45209 bankatfirst.com