EX-99.2 3 tm2016593d1_ex99-2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Income Investor PresentationQuarter 2020

Forward Looking Statement DisclosureCertain statements contained in this report which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ “likely,” “expected,” “estimated,” ‘‘intends’’ and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make about (i) our future operating or financial performance, including revenues, income or loss and earnings or loss per share, (ii) future common stock dividends, (iii) our capital structure, including future capital levels, (iv) our plans, objectives and strategies, and (v) the assumptions that underlie our forward-looking statements.As with any forecast or projection, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead express only management’s beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management’s control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include the following, without limitation:• economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with the Company’s business; • future credit quality and performance, including our expectations regarding future loan losses and our allowance for credit losses • the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other legislation and regulation relating to the banking industry; (iv) management’s ability to effectively execute its business plans; • mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies; • the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Company’s acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; • the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices; • changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving and changes in unemployment; • changes in customers’ performance and creditworthiness; • the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation; • current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of declines in housing prices, high unemployment rates, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, and any slowdown in global economic growth; • the adverse impact on the U.S. economy, including the markets in which we operate, of the novel coronavirus, which causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”), global pandemic, and the impact of a slowing U.S. economy and increased unemployment on the performance of our loan and lease portfolio, the market value of our investment securities, the availability of sources of funding and the demand for our products; • our capital and liquidity requirements (including under regulatory capital standards, such as the Basel III capital standards) and our ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;2

Forward Looking Statement Disclosure• financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on our revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulation relating to bank products and services; • the effect of the current interest rate environment or changes in interest rates or in the level or composition of our assets or liabilities on our net interest income, net interest margin and our mortgage originations, mortgage servicing rights and mortgage loans held for sale; • the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our brokerage, asset and wealth management businesses; • a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks; • the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on our funding costs and net interest margin; and • our ability to develop and execute effective business plans and strategies.Additional factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as our other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.All forward-looking statements included in this filing are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available at the time of the filing. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.3

Preliminary Term SheetIssuerFirst Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ: FFBC)Security OfferedHolding Company Subordinated Debt Due 2030Security Rating(1)BBB by Kroll Bond Rating AgencyStructureFixed-to-Floating RateIssuance TypeSEC RegisteredTerm10 YearsCall Date5 YearsUse of ProceedsGeneral Corporate PurposesSole BookrunnerKeefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company1 A rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities. Ratings may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. Each rating agency has its own methodology for assigning ratings and, accordingly, each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. 4

Presentation ContentsAbout First Financial BancorpFinancial PerformanceAppendix5

Our Franchise$15.1B in assets$9.3B/$10.6B loans / deposits$3.9B wealth management1.73% Adj. PTPP ROAA(1)NASDAQ: FFBCHeadquarters: Cincinnati, OhioFounded: 1863Banking Centers: 145Employees: 2,067Market Cap (3/31/20): $1.5B Dividend Yield (3/31/20): 6.2% TCE Ratio: 8.25%Lines of BusinessCommercial C&I, O-CRE, ABL, Equipment Finance, Treasury, Bannockburn Global ForexRetail Banking Consumer, Business Banking, Small BusinessMortgage BankingWealth Management / Private BankingInvestment Commercial Real EstateCommercial Finance1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the 6 Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation.

Key Investment HighlightsProven & sustainable business model spanning 150+ years• Well managed through past credit cycles• Conservative operating philosophy• Consistent profitability – 118 consecutive quartersPremier Midwest franchise with top quartile performanceHigh quality balance sheet & robust capital position (11.27% CET1 / 8.25% TCE)Prudent risk management & credit culture with strong asset qualityIncreased scale to continue investments in technologyTrack record of well-executed acquisitions with a well-defined M&A strategyExperienced and proven management team7

Complementary Market Centric StrategiesLoans $3.0B / Deposits $1.6B Loans $1.8B / Deposits $4.2B Loans $2.9B / Deposits $3.4B Loans $1.1B8Note: Loan and deposit balances exclude special assets, loan marks, other out of market and corporately held balances.

fiRST flrot Inanclol IMMGo-to-Market Strategies =·······························································.···························=······· ························VisionCOMMER•CIAL BANKI NGRETAJL BANKINGVision VisionMOR•TGAGETo be known l!tlldapemte as ltJc:Busil'leZ Bar*.sod m pnMde ba o<*rtiam ID 1111b: uolnc:;o, ID tho owsnd m thU .,.,p cp,oe=Adlieve a icgrowth bya121tin .ong--lllstino n:l11tiomhips byfn:tilg wa-y5 to our dilms2.1cceed.To be knownas:.a premier rnort.QDQe lenduinow c:ommunioties bv IC"YaDging DI'Jr relation ie<cepticnalcf.ent SJeJVioe anlti !Icomp tlereoive 21ectionof o.,UX..m=isiourdimtsincblll:rvQtt.eir'*'-nCJfi'IJmTarget Audience • 1-'fgh Demondcr • Sl0...,...-100M·t l s.ll5Rr..:nue II so.. ErrcllDo'r'1!e:;Value PropositionCurrent Portfolio •..,.5001 $2Ail Cmnrcitments $1.71l s. - $L.lB &...s.n... Sl.lB Ft.ll FmD<t>ositsTarget Audience • ConwrtM!r'!; • Sm!!llBu!:>D!ss • Bu:;in.!::ss SarA:mo 1/alue PropositionGoats • Core Ol! it Growth • Cent R£u:nticn • ShDA!.r:L\'.1!11fet • Q..:;inc:ss BariangTarget Audience CJo:nts loolcira "'JIU1:ha.c ora hcunell:ss tnan $251'iMCurrent state • Qt.Orio Valww: $1B7MM • Avo""'"' siu $ZUXWeDlfcrthe pnxi'ucb; of atI"""' re_,.jcornpct.and, tnrou;,h pcr-..onal l!ltfonm'p bruildi.we bec:x:me theirtru:oted finsocialpa-:ner.Business linec Goal • LDDn&owt:hCentersan our.tHfnv to rerTMin r nt an:lr the PAJduds and s ce; t.hBt 0Lir1argeroompetit01"!0 do. b.Jt with D le\IIICI of dimt inti'Mcy that is drtfiCJit for larger rs to n.OurdmtsbJkl2toii as their partner, end wt: wi .eok to cnMdo lh<"'"""rv IXDCiuct and ....vice tt.t lhcvnud-btrt notl-ing 1M! llli!!Ydcn'L Current PortfolioBU5inus Objectives • Grow the busines • Foa.ls on CRA • l!egula.tDry Campliancr • Customer- AValue Pn:!positioo A team of mortgage expe:r't:$ tha deliver !I fast, coosi:ttent fO<"Oilrdicms by offEring BSIIJ':I:ol productsto meet the n.ecd!i of liD• [)io:pooit Gr11'Wth • H:e RevUlue • Addod no:w FDKX product line throuoll Bannockburn ecvi.nionNwnber of Clients T""" O.pa<>t Balana: TO'b!ll..o.!ln l:blana:Coosumu 317,963 $5.29 SBB MMBusiness 32.430 $1.29 $1.09.Pub l'<mds$173!-1.'1cl nt aments......................................................................" ..................................................................VisionWEALTH•MANAGEMENTVISionVisionCOMMERC•IAL ANANCEUtiizll hoi:;.tic v.ehh m:m ncnt proach 1D oruw. pre::serw. and pnert dicntwN!Ih.To be -by- prot'e.i:ionol do:w:lopers...d a-as IIJC morloo:t coder. Through oonstant monimrinu ondOJJpfication ofourstnrtJ:gywc..,;nbUid •high pcrion...O>o pcnfoliowith acceptoblorisk net cxcdlcnt firu ncial .-.turrno.To be the rMir'kct le Nier inciem. experience for commcn:::ial fWWJcing by d•li¥<r71o unique end drYOrsepnxkjct Gil<rino:> th""'iti cuttino-edoe tcchnoiDGYencf do:nt '""""""-Targrt Audience M"""' Affluo:n.t: $1..50-$499K 1-lHincome $250K-Slt-1'4.,AI.JMH.<1n Not Wcr1h $500K- 1-ll-l lncomo: $lMM-$JOt<N inJ>,UM Pion Span $1-$20MM PlanSizx: 100- PIIni Current PortfolioVillue Prop06ition • Con ierrt..,deffiDent\t'l!fl "'axn.,..h•,;,.,;,.oddn!ss n fi....OallhariOng needs; · h- F'ma= • E.pcni.. - T"""- E..,...,_ Ffimc:ml Pla...,;ro, FIPS • Best inOils!; Brob:rageRlrnarmBusin<>SS line GoalSCurrent Po Jio c..,trol0!-! $!Kl0Nt-1 SouthcmOI-l $L2B lndiiiUI $6BOMM H..fthcan: $259MMTAudit!ncl!Business lin!_Goals • loan Gmwth • Swap Ren:nue: • D..,.,;t GrowthTarget AuaJenCe • InB c: dail, WI'IJicsalc, t.IGA. UGU,Risk Retenl'.ion Groupo, Carrier,;) • lrr.=trnon<Ad.i,...... • Molti-tlrit • Certified PlblK: Aa::ountan6 • Carrwnorcial .6.1.11omotM: • Thrd-1"1arty loon s..w:;...,Current Portfolio I=RA 561-1M OSF $60 itRdoDonshiiPS As-.• Au.i GrowthPrafessionaJlrNHt!r'...Jtkwih prover! t:r"'ld.• CDnf to WI ZIIrtfla dowrt-cyde.Value PropositionBusiness Line GoalsT.r=t & l........,.,cnts 2,..402" Brolcuaoc: 8..2B6 RPS B9 ''(1) DatHS 12/31)19.$2.3B $UB $2 0MM• "'ew Client Arquisilian • M.:li1t:ainTop Owlrtie .,........,ntOutmmcsH.lllillthe uniQ!Je cspitl._do far O<Jr l.llrgooted cflaw-based1>1dustrieo wtie providing extraorrlinary :rvioe to our born:w.-ers..· -iaGrowth • RNcnue Growth

Associates• More than half our associates are working from home.Up to four weeks of pandemic pay is available for associates who cannot work on-site or at home.Protocols have been implemented for cleaning and distancing at all worksites.Financialassistance,like payment deferrals,line of credit increases and access to our experts is available for all.Mentalwellbeing is being emphasized as we promote our employee assistance program.Consumers• Introduction of hardship relief programs like,payment deferrals, fee-waivers.and the suspension of new foreclosures.• Modifications have been made to many products and service channels to make it easier and faster to make transactions.open accounts and conduct banking from home.Virtually all transactions can be handled via the drive-thru,including the ability to provide officialchecks. money orders and replacement debit cards.• A hardship phone line and online form make it easy for clients to reach out and request help.Businesses• Prudently working with clients to provide access to capital.defer payments when appropriate, and provide support during this difficult time.Our experienced team is helping clients leverage relief programs such as the SBA Disaster Loan program and the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).• To date, we have received over 5.700 PPP loan requests totaling in excess of $1billion dollars and secured SBA approval for almost 3,600 loans. or over $750 million.Additionally, we have modified over $950 million. or 10%, of total loan balances, to date.Communities• Many organizations in our com munities are mobilizing to help provide assistance to those impacted economically by Coronavirus.First Financial will help lead those efforts by contributing $1million to help fund COVID-19 relief efforts throughout our footprintTo date, we have successfullymodified over $45 million in consumer loans,including almost $40 million of residential mortgages.first financial bancorp 10

Presentation ContentsAbout First Financial BancorpFinancial PerformanceAppendix11

1Q 2020 Highlights118th Consecutive Quarter of ProfitabilityNet income = $28.6 million or $0.29 per diluted share. Adjusted1 net income = $30.7 million or $0.31 per diluted share1. 1ProfitabilityReturn on average assets = 0.79%. Adjustedreturn on average assets = 0.85%.Return on average shareholders’ equity = 5.21%. Adjusted1 return on average shareholders’ equity = 5.59%. Return on average tangible common equity = 9.71%1. Adjusted1 return on average tangible common equity = 10.41%.Income StatementNet interest income = $114.3 million. Net interest margin of 3.71% on a GAAP basis; 3.77% on a fully tax equivalent basis1. Noninterest income = $35.4 million. Noninterest expense = $89.7 million; $87.2 million1 as adjusted. Efficiency ratio = 59.91%. Adjusted 1 efficiency ratio = 58.19%. Effective tax rate of 17.1%. Adjusted 1 effective tax rate of 17.4%.Balance SheetEOP assets increased $545.9 million compared to the linked quarter to $15.1 billion. EOP loans increased $106.2 million compared to the linked quarter to $9.3 billion. Average deposits increased $11.6 million compared to the linked quarter to $10.2 billion. EOP investment securities increased $69.0 million compared to the linked quarter.Asset QualityProvision expense = $23.9 million. Net charge-offs = ($0.9) million. NCOs / Avg. Loans = (0.04%) annualized. Nonperforming Loans / Total Loans = 0.76%. Nonperforming Assets / Total Assets = 0.48%. ACL / Nonaccrual Loans = 296.51%. ACL / Total Loans = 1.55%. Classified Assets / Total Assets = 0.83%.Capital & LiquidityTotal capital of 13.54%; Tier 1 common equity of 11.27%; Tangible common equity of 8.25% Repurchased 880,000 shares during the quarter; suspended share buybacks on March 13th Ample liquidity, with $4.6 billion of funding capacity1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation.12

Consistent ProfitabilityDiluted EPSReturn on Average Assets$0.48$0.58$0.56$0.521.38%1.63%1.54%1.41%$0.47$0.53$0.51$0.49$0.31$0.291.33%1.50%1.41%1.34%0.85%0.79%1Q192Q193Q194Q191Q201Q192Q193Q194Q19 11Q20Diluted EPS Adjusted EPS 1ROA Adjusted ROAReturn on Avg Tangible Common EquityEfficiency Ratio16.45%18.87%17.67%16.73%52.9% 53.8%55.7%59.8% 59.9% 56.4%58.2%15.95%17.33%16.15%15.84%10.41%9.71%51.7% 50.3% 52.0%1Q192Q193Q194Q191Q20 11Q19 2Q19 3Q19 4Q19 1Q20 1ROATCE Adjusted ROATCEEfficiency Ratio Adjusted Efficiency Ratio1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation.13

Diverse and Growing Fee RevenuesNoninterest Income 1Q20 HighlightsGains from sales of loans $2,831 8%Total $35.4 million $10.0 million of foreign exchange income; a $4.0 million, or 65.7%, increase from 4Q19Continued momentum with $3.1 million of client derivative feesRecord trust and wealth management fees of $4.5 millionBankcard $2,698 7%All dollars shown in thousands 14

Net Interest MarginNet Interest Margin (FTE) Average Loans5.69%5.73%5.58%5.33%5.04%4.10%0.23%0.11%4.04%0.23%0.12%3.96%0.21%0.15%3.89%0.21%0.14%3.77%0.16%$8,7731Q19$8,8532Q19$9,0143Q19$9,1494Q19$9,2211Q203.76%1Q193.69%2Q193.60%3Q193.54%4Q190.10%3.51%1Q200.78%Gross Loans Loan Yield (Gross)1Average Deposits0.82%Basic Margin (FTE) Loan Fees Purchase accounting0.80%0.74%0.64%$10,068$10,096$10,018$10,222$10,2341Q192Q193Q194Q191Q20Total Deposits Cost of DepositsAll dollars shown in millions 1 Includes loans fees and purchase accounting accretion 15

Attractive Deposit PortfolioDeposit Product Mix (Avg) 1Q20 Average Deposit ProgressionTotal $10.2 billionInterest‐bearing demandNoninterest‐bearing$26.9$22.0Brokered CDs $703 7%Savings Money Markets Retail CDs Brokered CDs‐$37.4‐$11.4$12.4$20.6Money Markets $1,744 17%Savings $893 9%Public Funds‐$21.5Total growth/(decline): $11.6 millionAll dollars shown in millions.16

High Quality Loan PortfolioLoan LOB Mix (EOP) Net Loan Change-LOB (Linked Quarter)Small Business Banking $1,063 11%Total $9.3 BillionFranchise $457 5%ICRE Commercial Small Business Banking Consumer Mortgage Oak Street Franchise Other‐$25.2‐$11.0‐$3.7$4.7$3.1$8.8$14.4$115.1Total growth/(decline): $106.2 million4.6% annualized growth in Q1’20: Only a modest increase in commercial line utilizationAll dollars shown in millions.17

Diversified & Granular Commercial PortfoliosC&I Loans by Industry 1 CRE Loans by Collateral 2C&I Loans: $3.6BCRE Loans: $3.7BAccommodation & Food Services 13%InsuranceOther 16%Real Estate 12%Manufacturing 12%Health Care 6% Retail TradeAgriculture 5%Other Services 5%Retail 23%Office 14%Residential, Multi Family 5+ 20%Hotel/Motel 11%Other 15%Nursing/Assisted Living 6%Residential, 1‐4 Family 3%Industrial Facility 3%Restaurant 3% Student Housing 2%Professional &Wholesale Trade 4%Tech 4%1 Industry types included in Other representing greater than 1% of total C&I loans include Construction, Transportation & Warehousing, Public Administration, Arts & Recreation, Waste Management, Management of Companies & Enterprises, and Educational Services. Includes owner- occupied CRE. 2 Collateral types included in Other representing greater than 1% of total CRE loans include Medical Office, Warehouse, Mini Storage, Real Estate IUB Other, and Vacant Land Not Held for Development.18

Sectors with Escalated Monitoring: Franchise Portfolio$455 million in balances or 5% of total loans69% or $312 million of the portfolio has secured either a payment deferral through the FFB COVID-19 relief program or a PPP loan approval93% of portfolio was pass rated at 3/31 (pre- COVID-19)9 of top 10 largest relationships include at least some real estate collateral$100 $90 $80 $70 $60 $50 $40 $30 $20 $10 $0Franchise Portfolio – Top 10 ConceptsBalances % of Portfolio25%20%15%10%5%0%Franchise Portfolio by Restaurant TypeFranchise GeographyDelivery Centric $138M 30%Sit Down $155M 34%Drive Thru $162M 36%OhioGeorgia New Mexico New Jersey North Carolina Virginia Florida Texas California0.00% 5.00% 10.00% 15.00% 20.00% 25.00% 30.00% 19All dollars shown in millions.

Sectors with Escalated Monitoring: Hotel Portfolio$401 million in balances or 4% of total loans96% or $387 million of the portfolio has secured either a payment deferral through the FFB COVID-19 relief program or a PPP loan approvalMajority concentrated in Midwest Metro markets reliant on business travel vs. convention business100% of portfolio was pass rated at 3/31 (pre-Choice $30M 8%Hotels by FlagOther $44M 11%IHG $69M 17%Marriott $110M 27%Hilton $148M 37%COVID-19)Hotels by GeographyThe current portfolio has an average LTV of 61%Underwriting practices and historical experience indicate that the portfolio performs at 50% occupancy rates and aboveOut of Footprint $92M 23%Footprint $309M 77%20

Sectors with Escalated Monitoring: Retail CRE PortfolioState$846 million in balances or 9% of total loans$250$20030%25%52% or $437 million of the portfolio has secured either a payment deferral through the FFB COVID-19 relief program or a PPP loan approval$150$100$5020%15%10%5%100% of portfolio was pass rated at 3/31 (pre-COVID-19)$0 0% OH IN KY NY SC NC NE IL MD WVMO PA MI FL VA AL TN MS RI KS OK GA AZ MNWABalances % of PortfolioRetail Properties >$3 millionBank has focused on strong locations with adequately capitalized sponsors, which is essential in right sizing deals that do not rebound to pre-pandemic levels.$300$250$200$15075%70%65%$100$5060%$0 Power CenterAnchored StripUnanchored StripOther Single TenantLifestyle Center55%All dollars shown in millions.Balances LTV21

Strong Credit Quality & Highly Disciplined Credit Risk ManagementClassified Assets / Total AssetsNonperforming Assets / Total Assets1.01%01.02%$147.80.92%0.62%$89.30.83%50.60%$83.90.62%$90.20.56%$80.80.42%$61.60.48%$72.21Q192Q193Q194Q191Q201Q192Q193Q194Q191Q20Classified Assets Classified Assets / Total AssetsNPAs NPAs / Total AssetsNet Charge Offs & Provision Expense0.64%0.45%$23.9$13.9 $14.10.08%$10.20.15%$6.7 $5.2$3.5 $4.6‐0.04%‐$0.9 11Q19 2Q19 3Q19 4Q19 1Q20NCOs Provision Expense NCOs / Average Loans1 Beginning January 1, 2020, calculation is based on current expected loss methodology. Prior to January 1, 2020, calculation was based on the incurred loss methodology.22

Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) - Loans and LeasesACL / Total Loans 1Q20 Highlights0.64%$56.71Q190.69%$61.52Q190.62%$56.63Q190.63%$57.74Q191.29%$119.21/1/20201.55%$143.91 1 1Q20Adoption impact$119.2 million, an increase of $61.5 million from 12/31/19Day 1 increase driven by acquired loans and life of loan expectations compared to the incurred loss modelLoansAllowance for Credit Losses ACL / Total LoansACL by Loan Type12/31/2019 1/1/2020 3/31/2020March 31 CECL highlights:$143.9 million, or 1.55% of loan balances$23.9 million provision expense substantially driven by expected economic impact of COVID-19Commercial and industrial $ 18,584 $ 28,485 $ 45,409 Lease financing 971 1,089 1,494 Real estate ‐construction 2,381 13,960 13,511 Real estate ‐ commercial 23,579 47,697 53,155 Real estate ‐ residential 5,299 10,789 11,284 Home equity 4,787 13,217 14,827 Installment 392 1,193 1,238 Credit card 1,657 2,726 2,967 ACL‐loan and lease losses 1 $ 57,650 $ 119,155 $ 143,885ACL‐unfunded commitments 1 $ 585 $ 12,740 $ 14,308Utilizes final March Moody’s baseline forecast in quantitative model, which considers both COVID-19 and the economic stimulus$14.3 million ACL – unfunded commitments; $1.6 million provision expense1 Beginning January 1, 2020, calculation is based on current expected loss methodology. Prior to January 1, 2020, Prior to January 1, 2020, calculation was based on the incurred loss methodology.23

Ample Sources of Additional Liquidity Aided by Strong Risk ManagementInvestment Portfolio CompositionLiquidity SourcesNon‐Agency pass‐ through securities 3% Regulatory stock 5% Non‐Agency CMOsCorporate securities 2%Total: $3.2B Duration: ~3.1 YrsIn addition to deposits, First Financial has approximately $4.6 billion of readily available funding sources to meet customer needs through the following sources:6%Agency pass‐ through securities 11%Asset‐backed securities 11%Municipal bond securities 24%Co mercial MBSs 19%Fed funds FHLB funding Brokered CDs Highly liquid securitiesAgency CMOs 19%Fed discount windowInvestment Portfolio QualityRegulatory Stock 4%First Financial has the following sources of liquidity at the holding company:AAA AA 15% 5%AA‐ 4%$74.4 million in cash as of March 31, 2020Agency 52%Other 12%AA+ 4% A+ 2% BBB 1% A‐ 1%$86.1 million dividend capacity from First Financial Bank without prior regulatory approval$30.0 million line of credit ($0 drawn at March 31, 2020)24

Solid Capital BaseTier 1 Common Equity Ratio Tier 1 Capital Ratio12.03%12.00%11.52%11.30%11.27%12.43%12.40%11.91%11.69%11.66%7.00%8.50%1Q192Q193Q194Q191Q201Q192Q193Q194Q191Q20Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio Basel III minimumTier 1 Capital Ratio Basel III minimumTotal Capital Ratio Tangible Common Equity Ratio14.24%14.20%13.62%13.39%PF $150M Tier 2 = 14.7%(1)13.54%9.15%9.34%9.17%9.07%8.25%10.50%1Q192Q193Q194Q192 1Q201Q192Q193Q194Q191Q20Tangible Common Equity RatioTotal Capital Ratio Basel III minimumStress testing indicates sufficient capital to absorb elevated credit losses and remain above regulatory minimums1 Assumes $150.0 million of gross proceeds from the subordinated notes offering with an underwriting spread of 1.00% and other offering expenses of $125,000; Assumes a risk-weighting of 0.0% on gross proceeds 2 Decline related to adoption of CECL during the quarter All capital numbers are considered preliminary. 25

Presentation ContentsAbout First Financial BancorpFinancial PerformanceAppendix26

Consolidated Financial HighlightsYear Ended December 31, Quarter Ended, ($000 except per share data) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 3/31/20 Summary Balance Sheet: Total Assets $8,147,411 $8,437,967 $8,896,923 $13,986,660 $14,511,625 $15,057,567 Loans Held for Investment 5,388,760 5,757,482 6,013,183 8,824,214 9,201,665 9,307,819 Deposits 6,179,624 6,525,788 6,895,046 10,140,394 10,210,229 10,635,558 Loans Held for Investment / Deposits 87.2% 88.2% 87.2% 87.0% 90.1% 87.5% Profitability: Return on Average Assets 1.00% 1.07% 1.12% 1.37% 1.39% 0.79% Return on Average Equity 9.33% 10.48% 10.78% 9.85% 9.11% 5.21% Net Interest Margin (FTE) 3.66% 3.68% 3.66% 4.10% 4.00% 3.77% Efficiency Ratio 62.5% 58.8% 66.7% 58.6% 55.6% 59.9% Non-interest Income / Total Revenue 23.4% 20.3% 21.2% 18.7% 21.3% 23.6% Net Income $75,063 $88,526 $96,787 $172,595 $198,075 $28,628 Diluted EPS $1.21 $1.43 $1.56 $1.93 $2.00 $0.29 Asset Quality: NPAs +90PD / Loans + OREO 1.30% 0.94% 0.74% 1.00% 0.67% 0.78% Reserves / Total Loans 0.99% 1.01% 0.90% 0.64% 0.63% 1.55% NPLs / Total Loans 1.06% 0.83% 0.69% 0.98% 0.65% 0.76% NCOs / Avg. Loans 0.18% 0.10% 0.13% 0.15% 0.33% (0.04%) Capital Ratios: CET1 Ratio 10.3% 10.5% 10.6% 11.9% 11.3% 11.3% Leverage Ratio 8.3% 8.6% 8.8% 9.7% 9.6% 9.5% Tier 1 Capital Ratio 10.3% 10.5% 10.6% 12.3% 11.7% 11.7% Total Capital Ratio 13.0% 13.1% 13.1% 14.1% 13.4% 13.5%Note: 3/31/20 capital ratios reflect preliminary information.27

Markets of Operation50% of deposits in Ohio / 44% in Indiana / 5% in Kentucky / 1% in IllinoisFFBC's Top 10 MSAsFFBC RankFFBC BranchesFFBC Deposits in Mkt. ($M)FFBC Mkt. Share (%)Mkt. Active BranchesMkt. Total Deposits ($M)Proj. Pop. Growth '20 - '25Current Median HHI ($)Proj. HHI Growth '20 - '25Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 4 51 $3,933 2.8% 687 $138,915 2.0% $68,093 10.8% Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN 14 12 814 1.5% 525 54,225 3.8% 65,306 11.2% Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 37 9 805 0.2% 2,526 415,216 0.1% 74,285 11.5% Columbus, IN 1 6 677 49.5% 24 1,368 3.3% 67,372 12.8% Columbus, OH 15 5 512 0.8% 532 61,881 4.2% 68,420 9.2% Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN 14 12 454 1.6% 376 28,230 2.6% 63,750 11.6% Dayton-Kettering, OH 7 9 448 3.6% 195 12,342 1.0% 58,646 11.7% Bloomington, IN 3 2 336 12.1% 38 2,769 2.5% 54,429 16.3% Celina, OH 2 3 303 23.2% 21 1,306 0.8% 62,580 7.0% Greensburg, IN 1 3 202 42.9% 10 470 2.5% 60,192 11.1% FFBC Weighted Average Franchise 1.8% 64,848 10.9% Nationwide 3.3% 66,010 9.9%Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence. Market share data as of 6/30/19 and is pro forma for pending or recently completed transactions.28

Kroll Ratings as of April 20, 2020FFBC’s Kroll ratings reflect an overall strong credit profileEntity Type Rating(1) OutlookFirst Financial Bancorp.Senior Unsecured Debt BBB+ Stable Subordinated Debt BBB Stable Short-Term Debt K2 N/AFirst Financial BankDeposit A- Stable Senior Unsecured Debt A- Stable Subordinated Debt BBB+ Stable Short-Term Deposit K2 N/A Short-Term Debt K2 N/ASource: Kroll Bond Rating Agency. 1 Kroll Ratings Scale: https://www.krollbondratings.com/understanding-ratings/methodologies/rating-scales29

Historical Interest Coverage(dollars in thousands) For the Twelve Months Ended Three Months Ended 12/31/16 12/31/17 12/31/18 12/31/19 3/31/20 3/31/20 PFDouble Leverage Investment in Bank Subsidiary $909,798 $970,290 $2,078,655 $2,272,991 $2,196,276 $2,196,276 Consolidated Equity 865,224 930,664 2,078,249 2,247,705 2,179,383 2,179,383 Double Leverage Ratio 105% 104% 100% 101% 101% 101%Proposed Subordinated Debt Offering Downstreamed to Bank$0 Pro Forma Investment in Bank Subsidiary2,196,276 Pro Forma Double Leverage Ratio101%Interest Coverage Earnings: Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes $130,731 $116,163 $214,221 $242,862 $34,552 $32,677 (+) Short-term Borrowings Interest (FHLB, Fed Funds & Repos) 4,506 8,193 18,033 25,235 5,087 5,087 (+) Long-term Borrowings Interest (inc. TruPS & Existing Sub Debt) 6,160 6,153 16,152 19,057 3,770 3,770 (+) Sub Debt Interest Attributable to $150mm Raise(1) - - - - - 1,875 Earnings (Before Corporate Debt Interest) $141,397 $130,509 $248,406 $287,154 $43,409 $43,409 A (+) Interest on Deposits 22,613 35,182 56,962 79,032 16,365 16,365 Earnings (Before Corporate Debt & Deposit Interest) 164,010 165,691 305,368 366,186 59,774 59,774 B Interest Expense: Short-term Borrowings Interest (FHLB, Fed Funds & Repos) 4,506 8,193 18,033 25,235 5,087 5,087 Long-term Borrowings Interest (inc. TruPS & Existing Sub Debt) 6,160 6,153 16,152 19,057 3,770 3,770 Sub Debt Interest Attributable to $150mm Raise(1) - - - - - 1,875Interest Expense, Excluding Interest on Deposits 10,666 14,346 34,185 44,292 8,857 10,732 C Interest on Deposits 22,613 35,182 56,962 79,032 16,365 16,365Interest Expense, Including Interest on Deposits 33,279 49,528 91,147 123,324 25,222 27,097 D Interest Coverage (Excluding Deposit Interest Expense) - A / C 13.3x 9.1x 7.3x 6.5x 4.9x 4.0x Interest Coverage (Including Deposit Interest Expense) - B / D 4.9x 3.3x 3.4x 3.0x 2.4x 2.2x1 Interest rate of 5.000% for illustrative purposes only.30

Non-GAAP MeasuresThe Company’s earnings release and accompanying presentation contain certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Such non-GAAP financial information should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. However, we believe that non-GAAP reporting provides meaningful information and therefore we use it to supplement our GAAP information. We have chosen to provide this supplemental information to investors, analysts and other interested parties to enable them to perform additional analyses of operating results, to illustrate the results of operations giving effect to the non-GAAP adjustments and to provide an additional measure of performance. We believe this information is helpful in understanding the results of operations separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportional positive or negative impact in any given period. For a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measures and the most comparable GAAP measures, please refer to the following reconciliation tables.31

Net interest income and net interest mar in- full tax e uivalentThree months ended Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, 2020 2019 2019 2019 2019Net interest income $ 114,282 $ 118,902 $ 121,535 $ 122,302 $ 121,515 Tax equivalent adjustment 1, 624 1,630 1,759 1,416 1, 523Net interest income - tax equivalent $ 115,906 $ 120,532 $ 123,294 $ 123,718 $ 123,038Average earning assets $ 12,375,698 $ 12,288,761 $ 12,343,327 $ 12,294,911 $ 12,163,751Net interest margin1 3.71 % 3.84 % 3.91 % 3.99 % 4.05 % Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)1 3.77 % 3.89 % 3.96 % 4.04 % 4.10 % ' Margni s are calculated using net interest income annualized divided by average earning assets.The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin and net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.All dollars shown in thousands.first financial bancorp 32

Non-GAAP to GAAP ReconciliationAdditional non-GAAP ratiosThre e m onths ended Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Se p. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, (Dollars in thousands, ex ce pt per share data) 2020 2019 2019 2019 2019Net income (a)$ 28,628 $48,677 $50,856 $52,703 $45,839Average total shareholders' equity 2,209,733 2,245,107 2,210,327 2,146,997 2,094,234 Less: Goodwill (937,771) (937,710) (899,888) (879,726) (878,541) Other intangibles (75,014) (78,190) (51,365) (37,666) (39,900) MSR's (10,608) (10,367) (10,118) (9,906) (9,896) Average tangible equity (b) 1,186,340 1,218,840 1,248,956 1,219,699 1,165,897Total shareholders' equity 2,179,383 2,247,705 2,261,313 2,188,189 2,130,419 Less: Goodwill (937,771) (937,771) (937,689) (879,727) (879,727) Other intangibles (73,258) (76,201) (79,506) (36,349) (38,571) MSR's (10,278) (10,650) (10,293) (10,086) (9,891) Ending tangible equity (c) 1,158,076 1,223,083 1,233,825 1,262,027 1,202,230Total assets 15,057,567 14,511,625 14,480,445 14,437,663 14,074,263 Less: Goodwill (937,771) (937,771) (937,689) (879,727) (879,727) Other intangibles (73,258) (76,201) (79,506) (36,349) (38,571) MSR's (10,278) (10,650) (10,293) (10,086) (9,891) Ending tangible assets (d) 14,036,260 13,487,003 13,452,957 13,511,501 13,146,074Risk-weighted assets (e) 11,027,347 11,023,795 10,883,554 10,674,394 10,358,805Total average assets 14,524,422 14,460,288 14,320,514 14,102,733 13,952,551 Less: Goodwill (937,771) (937,710) (899,888) (879,726) (878,541) Other intangibles (75,014) (78,190) (51,365) (37,666) (39,900) MSR's (10,608) (10,367) (10,118) (9,906) (9,896)Average tangible assets (f)$ 13,501,029 $13,434,021 $13,359,143$ 13,175,435$ 13,024,214Ending shares outstanding (g) 97,968,958 98,490,998 100,094,819 98,647,690 98,613,872Ratios Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (a)/(b) 9.71% 15.84% 16.15% 17.33% 15.95% Ending tangible equity as a percent of: Ending tangible assets (c)/(d) 8.25% 9.07% 9.17% 9.34% 9.15% Risk-weighted assets (c)/(e) 10.50% 11.09% 11.34% 11.82% 11.61% Average tangible equity as a percent of average tangible assets (b)/(f) 8.79% 9.07% 9.35% 9.26% 8.95%Tangible book value per share (c)/(g)$ 11.82 $12.42 $12.33 $12.79 $12.19All dollars shown in thousands.33

Non-GAAP to GAAP ReconciliationAdditional non-GAAP measures1Q20 4Q193Q19 2Q19 1Q19(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported AdjustedNet interest income (f)$ 114,282$ 114,282$ 118,902$ 118,902$ 121,535$ 121,535$ 122,302$ 122,302$ 121,515$ 121,515Provision for credit losses-loans and leases (j) 23,880 23,880 4,629 4,629 5,228 5,228 6,658 6,658 14,083 14,083 Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments (j) 1,568 1,568 Noninterest income 35,384 35,384 36,768 36,768 33,140 33,140 34,638 34,638 26,827 26,827 less: gains (losses) on sale of investment securities (157) (56) 208 52 (34) Total noninterest income (g) 35,384 35,541 36,768 36,824 33,140 32,932 34,638 34,586 26,827 26,861 Noninterest expense 89,666 89,666 93,064 93,064 86,226 86,226 84,378 84,378 78,499 78,499 less: severance and merger-related expenses 329 693 5,192 5,187 1,734 less: historic tax credit write-down @ 21% 2,862 less: COVID-19 costs 1,011 less: other 1,139 1,740 711 336 78 Total noninterest expense (e) 89,666 87,187 93,064 87,769 86,226 80,323 84,378 78,855 78,499 76,687 Income before income taxes (i) 34,552 37,188 57,977 63,328 63,221 68,916 65,904 71,375 55,760 57,606 Income tax expense 5,924 5,924 9,300 9,300 12,365 12,365 13,201 13,201 9,921 9,921 plus: tax effect of adjustments 554 377 926 785 388 plus: after-tax impact of historic tax credit write-down @ 35% 2,261 Total income tax expense (h) 5,924 6,478 9,300 11,938 12,365 13,291 13,201 13,986 9,921 10,309Net income (a)$ 28,628 $30,710 $48,677 $51,390 $50,856 $55,625 $52,703 $57,389 $45,839 $47,297Average diluted shares (b) 98,356 98,356 99,232 99,232 99,078 99,078 98,648 98,648 98,436 98,436Average assets (c) 14,524,422 14,524,422 14,460,288 14,460,288 14,320,514 14,320,514 14,102,733 14,102,733 13,952,551 13,952,551Average shareholders' equity 2,209,733 2,209,733 2,245,107 2,245,107 2,210,327 2,210,327 2,146,997 2,146,997 2,094,234 2,094,234 Less: Goodwill and other intangibles (1,023,393) (1,023,393) (1,026,267) (1,026,267) (961,371) (961,371) (927,298) (927,298) (928,337) (928,337) Average tangible equity (d) 1,186,340 1,186,340 1,218,840 1,218,840 1,248,956 1,248,956 1,219,699 1,219,699 1,165,897 1,165,897Ratios Net earnings per share - diluted (a)/(b)$ 0.29 $0.31 $0.49 $0.52 $0.51 $0.56 $0.53 $0.58 $0.47 $0.48Return on average assets - (a)/(c) 0.79% 0.85% 1.34% 1.41% 1.41% 1.54% 1.50% 1.63% 1.33% 1.38% Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets - ((a)+(j)+(h))/(c) 1.66% 1.73% 1.72% 1.86% 1.90% 2.05% 2.06% 2.22% 2.03% 2.08%Return on average tangible shareholders' equity - (a)/(d) 9.71% 10.41% 15.84% 16.73% 16.15% 17.67% 17.33% 18.87% 15.95% 16.45% Efficiency ratio - (e)/((f)+(g)) 59.9% 58.2% 59.8% 56.4% 55.7% 52.0% 53.8% 50.3% 52.9% 51.7% Effective tax rate - (h)/(i) 17.1% 17.4% 16.0% 18.9% 19.6% 19.3% 20.0% 19.6% 17.8% 17.9%34

first finandal bancorpF1rst Financial Bank First Financial CEonter 255 East Fifth Strli?et Suite 800 Clncinnati 0H 45202-4248