Exhibit 99.1

First Financial Bancorp Announces Third Quarter 2024

Financial Results and Quarterly Dividend

•Earnings per diluted share of $0.55; $0.67 on an adjusted(1) basis

•Return on average assets of 1.17%; 1.42% on an adjusted(1) basis

•Net interest margin on FTE basis(1) of 4.08%

•Noninterest income of $45.7 million; $58.8 million on an adjusted(1) basis

•Average deposit growth of $166.2 million; 4.9% on an annualized basis

•1.37% ACL ratio to total loans; Net charge-offs 0.25% of total loans

•Tangible book value increased 10.2% from linked quarter to $14.26

•Board of Directors approved quarterly dividend of $0.24

Cincinnati, Ohio - October 24, 2024. First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial” or the “Company”) announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported net income of $52.5 million, or $0.55 per diluted common share. These results compare to net income of $60.8 million, or $0.64 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, First Financial had earnings per diluted share of $1.74 compared to $2.12 for the same period in 2023.

Return on average assets for the third quarter of 2024 was 1.17% while return on average tangible common equity was 16.29%(1). These compare to return on average assets of 1.38% and return on average tangible common equity of 20.57%(1) in the second quarter of 2024.

Third quarter 2024 highlights include:

•Net interest margin of 4.05%, or 4.08% on a fully tax-equivalent basis(1)

◦2 bp decline from second quarter, better than initial expectations

◦Slight increase in cost of deposits offset by favorable shift in funding mix; Asset yields flat compared to prior quarter

•Noninterest income of $45.7 million, or $58.8 million as adjusted(1)

◦Adjustments include:

▪$17.5 million loss on securities; includes $9.7 million of impairment losses and $8.0 million loss on sales from restructuring activities

▪$4.4 million deferred tax gain

◦Strong results from foreign exchange, wealth management, and leasing businesses

•Noninterest expenses of $125.8 million, or $124.7 million as adjusted(1); 1.8% increase from linked quarter

◦Third quarter adjustments(1) include $0.4 million of efficiency related costs and $0.7 million of other costs such as acquisition, severance and branch consolidation costs

◦Increase driven by $1.8 million increase in leasing business expenses and $0.5 million supplemental contribution to the First Financial Foundation

◦Efficiency ratio of 62.5%; 58.2% as adjusted(1)

•Modest loan growth during the quarter

◦Loan balances increased $31.9 million compared to the linked quarter; 1% annualized growth

◦Growth driven by leasing and mortgage

◦Payoffs increased 27% compared to the linked quarter

_________________________________________________________________________________________

(1) Non-GAAP measure. For details on the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the GAAP financial measure, see the sections titled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this release and “Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying slide presentation.

•Strong average deposit growth during the quarter

◦Average deposits increased $166.2 million, or 4.9% on an annualized basis

◦Growth in money market accounts, retail CDs and brokered CDs offset seasonal decline in public funds and modest declines in noninterest bearing checking and savings accounts

•Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $176.0 million; Total quarterly provision expense of $10.6 million

◦Loans and leases - ACL of $158.8 million; ratio to total loans of 1.37% increased 1 bp from second quarter

◦Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $17.1 million

◦Provision expense driven by net charge offs and slower prepayment rates; Classified assets 1.14% of total assets

◦Annualized net charge-offs were 25 bps of total loans

•Capital ratios stable and strong

◦Total capital ratio increased 11 bps to 14.58%

◦Tier 1 common equity increased 26 bps to 12.04%

◦Tangible common equity of 7.98%(1); 9.34%(1) excluding impact from AOCI

◦Tangible book value per share of $14.26(1); 10.2% increase from linked quarter

Additionally, the board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.24 per common share for the next regularly scheduled dividend, payable on December 16, 2024 to shareholders of record as of December 2, 2024.

Archie Brown, President and CEO, commented on third quarter results, “Third quarter financial results reflect our ongoing commitment to industry leading performance. Adjusted(1) earnings per share were $0.67, which resulted in an adjusted(1) return on assets of 1.42% and an adjusted(1) return on tangible common equity of 19.77%.

We are particularly pleased with our 4.08% net interest margin. With only a 2 bp decline from the second quarter, the margin has proven to be more durable than expected due to high asset yields from Agile, investment portfolio restructuring and moderating funding costs.

Average deposit balances grew 4.9% on an annualized basis, as declines in our low cost products moderated. Consistent with our expectations, loan growth slowed during the third quarter as softer pipelines in the second quarter led to fewer fundings in the current period. Loan growth was also impacted by higher payoffs in our commercial banking and investment commercial real estate portfolios. Loan pipelines strengthened during the third quarter, and we expect higher growth rates as we close out the year.”

Mr. Brown continued, “Third quarter noninterest income was $45.7 million, or $58.8 million on an adjusted(1) basis, with strong earnings from foreign exchange, wealth management and the leasing business. There were several large non-recurring items that impacted noninterest income, including $17.5 million of losses on securities, which included a $9.7 million impairment charge on two bonds secured by skilled nursing homes. While third quarter noninterest income was noisy, noninterest expenses were relatively flat compared to the prior quarter. We remain diligent in managing our expenses, and our workforce efficiency initiative has resulted in the elimination of 120 positions to date, with additional savings expected into 2025.”

Mr. Brown commented on asset quality and capital, “Asset quality was stable for the quarter and our ACL increased to 1.37% of total loans. Additionally, third quarter net charge-offs were 25 bps on an annualized basis and nonperforming assets as a percent of assets increased 1 bp to 36 bps. We are optimistic about asset quality and are confident in our ability to manage the portfolio through the expected interest rate reductions and economic uncertainty in the near-term.

With regard to capital, strong earnings and the decline in interest rates led to significant improvement in tangible book value per share and tangible common equity. Tangible book value per share increased 10% from the linked quarter and over 30% from the same quarter last year to $14.26, while tangible common equity increased 75 basis points from June 30 to 7.98% as of the end of September.”

Mr. Brown concluded, “We are very proud of our financial results in the first nine months of 2024. Overall, the economy remains healthy, and the general easing of interest rates should extend economic growth in the coming periods. We believe we are in a strong position to finish the year on a high note and head into 2025 with continued momentum.”

Full detail of the Company’s third quarter 2024 performance is provided in the accompanying financial statements and slide presentation.

Teleconference / Webcast Information

First Financial’s executive management will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (888) 550-5723 (U.S. toll free) or (646) 960-0471 (U.S. local), access code 5048068. The number should be dialed five to ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning one hour after the completion of the live call at (800) 770-2030 (U.S. toll free), (609) 800-9099 (U.S. toll), access code 5048068. The recording will be available until November 8, 2024. The conference call will also be accessible as an audio webcast via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.bankatfirst.com. The webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website for 12 months.

Press Release and Additional Information on Website

This press release as well as supplemental information are available to the public through the Investor Relations section of First Financial's website at www.bankatfirst.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release contains GAAP financial measures and Non-GAAP financial measures where management believes it to be helpful in understanding the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Where Non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measures, as well as a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the section titled “Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying slide presentation.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this report which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ “likely,” “expected,” “estimated,” ‘‘intends’’ and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make about (i) our future operating or financial performance, including revenues, income or loss and earnings or loss per share, (ii) future common stock dividends, (iii) our capital structure, including future capital levels, (iv) our plans, objectives and strategies, and (v) the assumptions that underlie our forward-looking statements.

As with any forecast or projection, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead express only management’s beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management’s control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include the following, without limitation:

•economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with the Company’s business;

•future credit quality and performance, including our expectations regarding future loan losses and our allowance for credit losses

•the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other legislation and regulation relating to the banking industry;

•Management’s ability to effectively execute its business plans;

•mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies;

•the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Company’s acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period;

•the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices;

•changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving and changes in unemployment;

•changes in customers’ performance and creditworthiness;

•the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation;  

•current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of changes in housing prices, fluctuations in unemployment rates, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, and any slowdown in global economic growth;

•the adverse impact on the U.S. economy, including the markets in which we operate, of the novel coronavirus, which causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”), global pandemic, and the impact on the performance of our loan and lease portfolio, the market value of our investment securities, the availability of sources of funding and the demand for our products;

•our capital and liquidity requirements (including under regulatory capital standards, such as the Basel III capital standards) and our ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;

•financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on our revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulation relating to bank products and services;

•the effect of the current interest rate environment or changes in interest rates or in the level or composition of our assets or liabilities on our net interest income, net interest margin and our mortgage originations, mortgage servicing rights and mortgage loans held for sale;

•the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our brokerage, asset and wealth management businesses;

•a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks;

•the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on our funding costs and net interest margin; and

•our ability to develop and execute effective business plans and strategies.

Additional factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as our other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. 

All forward-looking statements included in this filing are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available at the time of the filing.  Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

About First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $18.1 billion in assets, $11.6 billion in loans, $13.9 billion in deposits and $2.5 billion in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $3.8 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2024. The Company operated 128 full service banking centers as of September 30, 2024, located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

Contact Information

Investors/Analysts Media

Jamie Anderson                        Tim Condron

Chief Financial Officer                    Director of Corporate Communications

(513) 887-5400                        (513) 979-5796

InvestorRelations@bankatfirst.com media@bankatfirst.com

Selected Financial Information

September 30, 2024

(unaudited)

Contents			Page
Consolidated Financial Highlights			2
Consolidated Quarterly Statements of Income			3
Consolidated Quarterly Statements of Income			4-5
Consolidated Statements of Condition			6
Average Consolidated Statements of Condition			7
Net Interest Margin Rate / Volume Analysis			8-9
Credit Quality			10
Capital Adequacy			11

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended,																														Nine months ended,
			Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						Sep. 30,
			2024						2024						2024						2023						2023						2024						2023
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income			$	52,451					$	60,805					$	50,689					$	56,732					$	63,061					$	163,945					$	199,131
Net earnings per share - basic			$	0.56					$	0.64					$	0.54					$	0.60					$	0.67					$	1.74					$	2.12
Net earnings per share - diluted			$	0.55					$	0.64					$	0.53					$	0.60					$	0.66					$	1.72					$	2.09
Dividends declared per share			$	0.24					$	0.23					$	0.23					$	0.23					$	0.23					$	0.70					$	0.69
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets			1.17		%				1.38		%				1.18		%				1.31		%				1.48		%				1.24		%				1.57		%
Return on average shareholders' equity			8.80		%				10.72		%				9.00		%				10.50		%				11.62		%				9.50		%				12.53		%
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (1)			16.29		%				20.57		%				17.35		%				21.36		%				23.60		%				18.02		%				25.87		%
Net interest margin			4.05		%				4.06		%				4.05		%				4.21		%				4.28		%				4.05		%				4.41		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)(2)			4.08		%				4.10		%				4.10		%				4.26		%				4.33		%				4.09		%				4.45		%
Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets			13.50		%				12.81		%				12.99		%				12.94		%				12.49		%				13.50		%				12.49		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets (1)			7.98		%				7.23		%				7.23		%				7.17		%				6.50		%				7.98		%				6.50		%
Risk-weighted assets (1)			9.87		%				8.95		%				8.80		%				8.81		%				7.88		%				9.87		%				7.88		%
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets			13.28		%				12.87		%				13.09		%				12.52		%				12.70		%				13.08		%				12.53		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of average tangible assets (1)			7.64		%				7.15		%				7.25		%				6.57		%				6.69		%				7.35		%				6.49		%
Book value per share			$	25.66					$	24.36					$	23.95					$	23.84					$	22.39					$	25.66					$	22.39
Tangible book value per share (1)			$	14.26					$	12.94					$	12.50					$	12.38					$	10.91					$	14.26					$	10.91
Common equity tier 1 ratio (3)			12.04		%				11.78		%				11.67		%				11.73		%				11.60		%				12.04		%				11.60		%
Tier 1 ratio (3)			12.37		%				12.11		%				12.00		%				12.06		%				11.94		%				12.37		%				11.94		%
Total capital ratio (3)			14.58		%				14.47		%				14.31		%				14.26		%				14.19		%				14.58		%				14.19		%
Leverage ratio (3)			9.93		%				9.73		%				9.75		%				9.70		%				9.59		%				9.93		%				9.59		%
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans (4)			$	11,534,000					$	11,440,930					$	11,066,184					$	10,751,028					$	10,623,734					$	11,347,720					$	10,504,431
Investment securities			3,274,498						3,131,541						3,137,665						3,184,408						3,394,237						3,181,575						3,529,119
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks			483,880						599,348						553,654						548,153						386,173						545,402						344,844
Total earning assets			$	15,292,378					$	15,171,819					$	14,757,503					$	14,483,589					$	14,404,144					$	15,074,697					$	14,378,394
Total assets			$	17,854,191					$	17,728,251					$	17,306,221					$	17,124,955					$	16,951,389					$	17,630,374					$	16,954,178
Noninterest-bearing deposits			$	3,106,239					$	3,144,198					$	3,169,750					$	3,368,024					$	3,493,305					$	3,139,939					$	3,702,189
Interest-bearing deposits			10,690,265						10,486,068						10,109,416						9,834,819						9,293,860						10,429,538						9,068,783
Total deposits			$	13,796,504					$	13,630,266					$	13,279,166					$	13,202,843					$	12,787,165					$	13,569,477					$	12,770,972
Borrowings			$	1,053,737					$	1,171,246					$	1,139,014					$	1,083,954					$	1,403,071					$	1,121,086					$	1,453,588
Shareholders' equity			$	2,371,125					$	2,281,040					$	2,265,562					$	2,144,482					$	2,153,601					$	2,306,147					$	2,124,787
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans			1.37		%				1.36		%				1.29		%				1.29		%				1.36		%				1.37		%				1.36		%
Allowance to nonaccrual loans			242.72		%				249.21		%				243.55		%				215.10		%				193.75		%				242.72		%				193.75		%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans			0.57		%				0.54		%				0.53		%				0.60		%				0.70		%				0.57		%				0.70		%
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO			0.57		%				0.54		%				0.53		%				0.60		%				0.71		%				0.57		%				0.71		%
Nonperforming assets to total assets			0.36		%				0.35		%				0.34		%				0.38		%				0.44		%				0.36		%				0.44		%
Classified assets to total assets			1.14		%				1.07		%				0.92		%				0.80		%				0.82		%				1.14		%				0.82		%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)			0.25		%				0.15		%				0.38		%				0.46		%				0.61		%				0.26		%				0.28		%

(1) Non-GAAP measure. For details on the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the GAAP financial measure, see the sections titled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this release and “Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying slide presentation.

(2) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin and net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

(3) September 30, 2024 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.

(4) Includes loans held for sale.

2

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
			Three months ended,																		Nine months ended,
			Sep. 30,																		Sep. 30,
			2024						2023						% Change						2024						2023						% Change
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees			$	215,433					$	192,261					12.1		%				$	629,033					$	546,354					15.1		%
Investment securities
Taxable			32,367						31,297						3.4		%				90,958						95,226						(4.5)		%
Tax-exempt			2,616						3,522						(25.7)		%				8,412						10,499						(19.9)		%
Total investment securities interest			34,983						34,819						0.5		%				99,370						105,725						(6.0)		%
Other earning assets			6,703						5,011						33.8		%				22,121						12,488						77.1		%
Total interest income			257,119						232,091						10.8		%				750,524						664,567						12.9		%
Interest expense
Deposits			86,554						57,069						51.7		%				245,651						132,817						85.0		%
Short-term borrowings			9,932						14,615						(32.0)		%				32,270						43,101						(25.1)		%
Long-term borrowings			5,073						4,952						2.4		%				14,992						14,644						2.4		%
Total interest expense			101,559						76,636						32.5		%				292,913						190,562						53.7		%
Net interest income			155,560						155,455						0.1		%				457,611						474,005						(3.5)		%
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases			9,930						12,907						(23.1)		%				39,506						34,270						15.3		%
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments			694						(1,234)						(156.2)		%				(1,279)						(1,393)						(8.2)		%
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			144,936						143,782						0.8		%				419,384						441,128						(4.9)		%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts			7,547						6,957						8.5		%				21,647						20,443						5.9		%
Wealth management fees			6,910						6,943						(0.5)		%				20,758						19,990						3.8		%
Bankcard income			3,698						3,406						8.6		%				10,740						10,690						0.5		%
Client derivative fees			1,160						1,612						(28.0)		%				3,173						4,444						(28.6)		%
Foreign exchange income			12,048						13,384						(10.0)		%				39,270						45,321						(13.4)		%
Leasing business income			16,811						14,537						15.6		%				48,228						38,466						25.4		%
Net gains from sales of loans			5,021						4,086						22.9		%				13,284						10,260						29.5		%
Net gain (loss) on investment securities			(17,468)						(58)						N/M						(22,719)						(403)						N/M
Other			9,974						5,761						73.1		%				19,333						16,218						19.2		%
Total noninterest income			45,701						56,628						(19.3)		%				153,714						165,429						(7.1)		%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits			74,813						75,641						(1.1)		%				224,075						222,094						0.9		%
Net occupancy			5,919						5,809						1.9		%				17,635						17,100						3.1		%
Furniture and equipment			3,617						3,341						8.3		%				10,951						10,020						9.3		%
Data processing			8,857						8,473						4.5		%				26,039						27,364						(4.8)		%
Marketing			2,255						2,598						(13.2)		%				6,822						7,560						(9.8)		%
Communication			851						744						14.4		%				2,462						2,022						21.8		%
Professional services			2,303						2,524						(8.8)		%				7,456						6,778						10.0		%
State intangible tax			876						981						(10.7)		%				2,628						2,930						(10.3)		%
FDIC assessments			3,036						2,665						13.9		%				8,473						8,297						2.1		%
Intangible amortization			2,395						2,600						(7.9)		%				7,092						7,801						(9.1)		%
Leasing business expense			11,899						8,877						34.0		%				31,781						23,545						35.0		%
Other			8,938						7,791						14.7		%				26,274						23,841						10.2		%
Total noninterest expenses			125,759						122,044						3.0		%				371,688						359,352						3.4		%
Income before income taxes			64,878						78,366						(17.2)		%				201,410						247,205						(18.5)		%
Income tax expense (benefit)			12,427						15,305						(18.8)		%				37,465						48,074						(22.1)		%
Net income			$	52,451					$	63,061					(16.8)		%				$	163,945					$	199,131					(17.7)		%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic			$	0.56					$	0.67											$	1.74					$	2.12
Net earnings per share - diluted			$	0.55					$	0.66											$	1.72					$	2.09
Dividends declared per share			$	0.24					$	0.23											$	0.70					$	0.69
Return on average assets			1.17		%				1.48		%										1.24		%				1.57		%
Return on average shareholders' equity			8.80		%				11.62		%										9.50		%				12.53		%
Interest income			$	257,119					$	232,091					10.8		%				$	750,524					$	664,567					12.9		%
Tax equivalent adjustment			1,362						1,659						(17.9)		%				4,315						4,684						(7.9)		%
Interest income - tax equivalent			258,481						233,750						10.6		%				754,839						669,251						12.8		%
Interest expense			101,559						76,636						32.5		%				292,913						190,562						53.7		%
Net interest income - tax equivalent			$	156,922					$	157,114					(0.1)		%				$	461,926					$	478,689					(3.5)		%
Net interest margin			4.05		%				4.28		%										4.05		%				4.41		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)			4.08		%				4.33		%										4.09		%				4.45		%
Full-time equivalent employees			2,084						2,121
(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

3

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
									2024
									Third						Second						First						Year to						% Change
									Quarter						Quarter						Quarter						Date						Linked Qtr.
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees									$	215,433					$	211,760					$	201,840					$	629,033					1.7		%
Investment securities
Taxable									32,367						30,295						28,296						90,958						6.8		%
Tax-exempt									2,616						2,704						3,092						8,412						(3.3)		%
Total investment securities interest									34,983						32,999						31,388						99,370						6.0		%
Other earning assets									6,703						7,960						7,458						22,121						(15.8)		%
Total interest income									257,119						252,719						240,686						750,524						1.7		%
Interest expense
Deposits									86,554						83,022						76,075						245,651						4.3		%
Short-term borrowings									9,932						11,395						10,943						32,270						(12.8)		%
Long-term borrowings									5,073						4,991						4,928						14,992						1.6		%
Total interest expense									101,559						99,408						91,946						292,913						2.2		%
Net interest income									155,560						153,311						148,740						457,611						1.5		%
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases									9,930						16,157						13,419						39,506						(38.5)		%
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments									694						286						(2,259)						(1,279)						142.7		%
Net interest income after provision for credit losses									144,936						136,868						137,580						419,384						5.9		%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts									7,547						7,188						6,912						21,647						5.0		%
Wealth management fees									6,910						7,172						6,676						20,758						(3.7)		%
Bankcard income									3,698						3,900						3,142						10,740						(5.2)		%
Client derivative fees									1,160						763						1,250						3,173						52.0		%
Foreign exchange income									12,048						16,787						10,435						39,270						(28.2)		%
Leasing business income									16,811						16,828						14,589						48,228						(0.1)		%
Net gains from sales of loans									5,021						4,479						3,784						13,284						12.1		%
Net gain (loss) on investment securities									(17,468)						(64)						(5,187)						(22,719)						N/M
Other									9,974						4,448						4,911						19,333						124.2		%
Total noninterest income									45,701						61,501						46,512						153,714						(25.7)		%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits									74,813						75,225						74,037						224,075						(0.5)		%
Net occupancy									5,919						5,793						5,923						17,635						2.2		%
Furniture and equipment									3,617						3,646						3,688						10,951						(0.8)		%
Data processing									8,857						8,877						8,305						26,039						(0.2)		%
Marketing									2,255						2,605						1,962						6,822						(13.4)		%
Communication									851						816						795						2,462						4.3		%
Professional services									2,303						2,885						2,268						7,456						(20.2)		%
State intangible tax									876						875						877						2,628						0.1		%
FDIC assessments									3,036						2,657						2,780						8,473						14.3		%
Intangible amortization									2,395						2,396						2,301						7,092						0.0		%
Leasing business expense									11,899						10,128						9,754						31,781						17.5		%
Other									8,938						7,671						9,665						26,274						16.5		%
Total noninterest expenses									125,759						123,574						122,355						371,688						1.8		%
Income before income taxes									64,878						74,795						61,737						201,410						(13.3)		%
Income tax expense (benefit)									12,427						13,990						11,048						37,465						(11.2)		%
Net income									$	52,451					$	60,805					$	50,689					$	163,945					(13.7)		%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic									$	0.56					$	0.64					$	0.54					$	1.74
Net earnings per share - diluted									$	0.55					$	0.64					$	0.53					$	1.72
Dividends declared per share									$	0.24					$	0.23					$	0.23					$	0.70
Return on average assets									1.17		%				1.38		%				1.18		%				1.24		%
Return on average shareholders' equity									8.80		%				10.72		%				9.00		%				9.50		%
Interest income									$	257,119					$	252,719					$	240,686					$	750,524					1.7		%
Tax equivalent adjustment									1,362						1,418						1,535						4,315						(3.9)		%
Interest income - tax equivalent									258,481						254,137						242,221						754,839						1.7		%
Interest expense									101,559						99,408						91,946						292,913						2.2		%
Net interest income - tax equivalent									$	156,922					$	154,729					$	150,275					$	461,926					1.4		%
Net interest margin									4.05		%				4.06		%				4.05		%				4.05		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)									4.08		%				4.10		%				4.10		%				4.09		%
Full-time equivalent employees									2,084						2,144						2,116
(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

4

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
									2023
									Fourth						Third						Second						First						Full
									Quarter						Quarter						Quarter						Quarter						Year
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees									$	197,416					$	192,261					$	184,387					$	169,706					$	743,770
Investment securities
Taxable									30,294						31,297						32,062						31,867						125,520
Tax-exempt									3,402						3,522						3,513						3,464						13,901
Total investment securities interest									33,696						34,819						35,575						35,331						139,421
Other earning assets									7,325						5,011						3,933						3,544						19,813
Total interest income									238,437						232,091						223,895						208,581						903,004
Interest expense
Deposits									69,193						57,069						44,292						31,456						202,010
Short-term borrowings									10,277						14,615						15,536						12,950						53,378
Long-term borrowings									5,202						4,952						4,835						4,857						19,846
Total interest expense									84,672						76,636						64,663						49,263						275,234
Net interest income									153,765						155,455						159,232						159,318						627,770
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases									8,804						12,907						12,719						8,644						43,074
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments									1,426						(1,234)						(1,994)						1,835						33
Net interest income after provision for credit losses									143,535						143,782						148,507						148,839						584,663
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts									6,846						6,957						6,972						6,514						27,289
Wealth management fees									6,091						6,943						6,713						6,334						26,081
Bankcard income									3,349						3,406						3,692						3,592						14,039
Client derivative fees									711						1,612						1,827						1,005						5,155
Foreign exchange income									8,730						13,384						15,039						16,898						54,051
Leasing business income									12,856						14,537						10,265						13,664						51,322
Net gains from sales of loans									2,957						4,086						3,839						2,335						13,217
Net gain (loss) on investment securities									(649)						(58)						(466)						121						(1,052)
Other									6,102						5,761						5,377						5,080						22,320
Total noninterest income									46,993						56,628						53,258						55,543						212,422
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits									70,637						75,641						74,199						72,254						292,731
Net occupancy									5,890						5,809						5,606						5,685						22,990
Furniture and equipment									3,523						3,341						3,362						3,317						13,543
Data processing									8,488						8,473						9,871						9,020						35,852
Marketing									2,087						2,598						2,802						2,160						9,647
Communication									707						744						644						634						2,729
Professional services									3,148						2,524						2,308						1,946						9,926
State intangible tax									984						981						964						985						3,914
FDIC assessments									3,651						2,665						2,806						2,826						11,948
Intangible amortization									2,601						2,600						2,601						2,600						10,402
Leasing business expense									8,955						8,877						6,730						7,938						32,500
Other									8,466						7,791						8,722						7,328						32,307
Total noninterest expenses									119,137						122,044						120,615						116,693						478,489
Income before income taxes									71,391						78,366						81,150						87,689						318,596
Income tax expense (benefit)									14,659						15,305						15,483						17,286						62,733
Net income									$	56,732					$	63,061					$	65,667					$	70,403					$	255,863
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic									$	0.60					$	0.67					$	0.70					$	0.75					$	2.72
Net earnings per share - diluted									$	0.60					$	0.66					$	0.69					$	0.74					$	2.69
Dividends declared per share									$	0.23					$	0.23					$	0.23					$	0.23					$	0.92
Return on average assets									1.31		%				1.48		%				1.55		%				1.69		%				1.51		%
Return on average shareholders' equity									10.50		%				11.62		%				12.32		%				13.71		%				12.01		%
Interest income									$	238,437					$	232,091					$	223,895					$	208,581					$	903,004
Tax equivalent adjustment									1,672						1,659						1,601						1,424						6,356
Interest income - tax equivalent									240,109						233,750						225,496						210,005						909,360
Interest expense									84,672						76,636						64,663						49,263						275,234
Net interest income - tax equivalent									$	155,437					$	157,114					$	160,833					$	160,742					$	634,126
Net interest margin									4.21		%				4.28		%				4.43		%				4.51		%				4.36		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)									4.26		%				4.33		%				4.48		%				4.55		%				4.40		%
Full-time equivalent employees									2,129						2,121						2,193						2,066
(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

5

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
			Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						% Change						% Change
			2024						2024						2024						2023						2023						Linked Qtr.						Comp Qtr.
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks			$	190,618					$	193,794					$	199,407					$	213,059					$	220,335					(1.6)		%				(13.5)		%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks			660,576						738,555						751,290						792,960						452,867						(10.6)		%				45.9		%
Investment securities available-for-sale			3,157,265						3,036,758						2,850,667						3,021,126						3,044,361						4.0		%				3.7		%
Investment securities held-to-maturity			77,985						78,921						79,542						80,321						81,236						(1.2)		%				(4.0)		%
Other investments			120,318						132,412						125,548						129,945						133,725						(9.1)		%				(10.0)		%
Loans held for sale			12,685						16,911						11,534						9,213						12,391						(25.0)		%				2.4		%
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial			3,678,546						3,782,487						3,591,428						3,501,221						3,420,873						(2.7)		%				7.5		%
Lease financing			587,415						534,557						492,862						474,817						399,973						9.9		%				46.9		%
Construction real estate			802,264						741,406						641,596						564,832						578,824						8.2		%				38.6		%
Commercial real estate			4,034,820						4,076,596						4,145,969						4,080,939						3,992,654						(1.0)		%				1.1		%
Residential real estate			1,422,186						1,377,290						1,344,677						1,333,674						1,293,470						3.3		%				10.0		%
Home equity			825,431						800,860						773,811						758,676						743,991						3.1		%				10.9		%
Installment			141,270						148,530						153,838						159,078						160,648						(4.9)		%				(12.1)		%
Credit card			61,140						59,477						60,939						59,939						56,386						2.8		%				8.4		%
Total loans			11,553,072						11,521,203						11,205,120						10,933,176						10,646,819						0.3		%				8.5		%
Less:
Allowance for credit losses			(158,831)						(156,185)						(144,274)						(141,433)						(145,201)						1.7		%				9.4		%
Net loans			11,394,241						11,365,018						11,060,846						10,791,743						10,501,618						0.3		%				8.5		%
Premises and equipment			196,692						197,873						198,428						194,740						192,572						(0.6)		%				2.1		%
Operating leases			201,080						167,472						161,473						153,214						136,883						20.1		%				46.9		%
Goodwill			1,007,656						1,007,656						1,007,656						1,005,868						1,005,868						0.0		%				0.2		%
Other intangibles			81,547						83,528						85,603						83,949						86,378						(2.4)		%				(5.6)		%
Accrued interest and other assets			1,045,669						1,147,282						1,067,244						1,056,762						1,186,618						(8.9)		%				(11.9)		%
Total Assets			$	18,146,332					$	18,166,180					$	17,599,238					$	17,532,900					$	17,054,852					(0.1)		%				6.4		%
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand			$	2,884,971					$	2,922,540					$	2,916,518					$	2,993,219					$	2,880,617					(1.3)		%				0.2		%
Savings			4,710,223						4,628,320						4,467,894						4,331,228						4,023,455						1.8		%				17.1		%
Time			3,244,861						3,049,635						2,896,860						2,718,390						2,572,909						6.4		%				26.1		%
Total interest-bearing deposits			10,840,055						10,600,495						10,281,272						10,042,837						9,476,981						2.3		%				14.4		%
Noninterest-bearing			3,107,699						3,061,427						3,175,876						3,317,960						3,438,572						1.5		%				(9.6)		%
Total deposits			13,947,754						13,661,922						13,457,148						13,360,797						12,915,553						2.1		%				8.0		%
FHLB short-term borrowings			765,000						1,040,000						700,000						800,000						755,000						(26.4)		%				1.3		%
Other			46,653						139,172						162,145						137,814						219,188						(66.5)		%				(78.7)		%
Total short-term borrowings			811,653						1,179,172						862,145						937,814						974,188						(31.2)		%				(16.7)		%
Long-term debt			344,086						338,556						343,236						344,115						340,902						1.6		%				0.9		%
Total borrowed funds			1,155,739						1,517,728						1,205,381						1,281,929						1,315,090						(23.9)		%				(12.1)		%
Accrued interest and other liabilities			592,401						660,091						649,706						622,200						694,700						(10.3)		%				(14.7)		%
Total Liabilities			15,695,894						15,839,741						15,312,235						15,264,926						14,925,343						(0.9)		%				5.2		%
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock			1,639,045						1,635,705						1,632,971						1,638,972						1,636,054						0.2		%				0.2		%
Retained earnings			1,234,375						1,204,844						1,166,065						1,136,718						1,101,905						2.5		%				12.0		%
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(232,262)						(323,409)						(321,109)						(309,819)						(410,005)						(28.2)		%				(43.4)		%
Treasury stock, at cost			(190,720)						(190,701)						(190,924)						(197,897)						(198,445)						0.0		%				(3.9)		%
Total Shareholders' Equity			2,450,438						2,326,439						2,287,003						2,267,974						2,129,509						5.3		%				15.1		%
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity			$	18,146,332					$	18,166,180					$	17,599,238					$	17,532,900					$	17,054,852					(0.1)		%				6.4		%

6

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
			Quarterly Averages																														Year-to-Date Averages
			Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						Sep. 30,
			2024						2024						2024						2023						2023						2024						2023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks			$	179,321					$	174,435					$	204,119					$	214,678					$	211,670					$	185,934					$	217,281
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks			483,880						599,348						553,654						548,153						386,173						545,402						344,844
Investment securities			3,274,498						3,131,541						3,137,665						3,184,408						3,394,237						3,181,575						3,529,119
Loans held for sale			16,399						14,075						12,069						12,547						15,420						14,189						10,972
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial			3,723,761						3,716,083						3,543,475						3,422,381						3,443,615						3,661,335						3,456,612
Lease financing			550,634						509,758						480,540						419,179						371,598						513,779						316,316
Construction real estate			763,779						683,780						603,974						540,314						547,884						684,136						534,165
Commercial real estate			4,059,939						4,146,764						4,101,238						4,060,733						4,024,798						4,102,491						4,030,950
Residential real estate			1,399,932						1,361,133						1,336,749						1,320,670						1,260,249						1,366,062						1,186,259
Home equity			811,265						790,384						765,410						750,925						735,251						789,101						729,949
Installment			143,102						151,753						157,663						160,242						164,092						150,811						180,571
Credit card			65,189						67,200						65,066						64,037						60,827						65,816						58,637
Total loans			11,517,601						11,426,855						11,054,115						10,738,481						10,608,314						11,333,531						10,493,459
Less:
Allowance for credit losses			(159,252)						(147,666)						(143,950)						(149,398)						(150,297)						(150,322)						(144,149)
Net loans			11,358,349						11,279,189						10,910,165						10,589,083						10,458,017						11,183,209						10,349,310
Premises and equipment			197,881						199,096						198,482						194,435						194,228						198,484						191,733
Operating leases			180,118						156,457						154,655						139,331						132,984						163,803						126,362
Goodwill			1,007,654						1,007,657						1,006,477						1,005,870						1,005,844						1,007,264						1,005,783
Other intangibles			82,619						84,577						84,109						85,101						87,427						83,764						89,945
Accrued interest and other assets			1,073,472						1,081,876						1,044,826						1,151,349						1,065,389						1,066,750						1,088,829
Total Assets			$	17,854,191					$	17,728,251					$	17,306,221					$	17,124,955					$	16,951,389					$	17,630,374					$	16,954,178
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand			$	2,914,934					$	2,888,252					$	2,895,768					$	2,988,086					$	2,927,416					$	2,899,707					$	2,913,737
Savings			4,694,923						4,617,658						4,399,768						4,235,658						3,919,590						4,571,236						3,829,802
Time			3,080,408						2,980,158						2,813,880						2,611,075						2,446,854						2,958,595						2,325,244
Total interest-bearing deposits			10,690,265						10,486,068						10,109,416						9,834,819						9,293,860						10,429,538						9,068,783
Noninterest-bearing			3,106,239						3,144,198						3,169,750						3,368,024						3,493,305						3,139,939						3,702,189
Total deposits			13,796,504						13,630,266						13,279,166						13,202,843						12,787,165						13,569,477						12,770,972
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase			10,807						750						4,204						3,586						10,788						5,274						19,626
FHLB short-term borrowings			626,490						669,111						646,187						554,826						878,199						647,187						943,678
Other			76,859						161,913						146,127						185,221						175,682						128,112						149,122
Total short-term borrowings			714,156						831,774						796,518						743,633						1,064,669						780,573						1,112,426
Long-term debt			339,581						339,472						342,496						340,321						338,402						340,513						341,162
Total borrowed funds			1,053,737						1,171,246						1,139,014						1,083,954						1,403,071						1,121,086						1,453,588
Accrued interest and other liabilities			632,825						645,699						622,479						693,676						607,552						633,664						604,831
Total Liabilities			15,483,066						15,447,211						15,040,659						14,980,473						14,797,788						15,324,227						14,829,391
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock			1,637,045						1,634,183						1,637,835						1,637,197						1,634,102						1,636,357						1,632,912
Retained earnings			1,210,924						1,179,827						1,144,447						1,111,786						1,076,515						1,178,518						1,033,779
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(285,978)						(341,941)						(319,601)						(406,265)						(358,769)						(315,731)						(342,898)
Treasury stock, at cost			(190,866)						(191,029)						(197,119)						(198,236)						(198,247)						(192,997)						(199,006)
Total Shareholders' Equity			2,371,125						2,281,040						2,265,562						2,144,482						2,153,601						2,306,147						2,124,787
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity			$	17,854,191					$	17,728,251					$	17,306,221					$	17,124,955					$	16,951,389					$	17,630,374					$	16,954,178

7

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
						Quarterly Averages																																																																																							Year-to-Date Averages
						September 30, 2024																		June 30, 2024																		September 30, 2023																											September 30, 2024												September 30, 2023
						Balance						Interest						Yield						Balance						Interest						Yield						Balance						Interest						Yield																																							Balance						Yield						Balance						Yield
Earning assets
Investments:
Investment securities						$	3,274,498					$	34,983					4.24		%				$	3,131,541					$	32,999					4.23		%				$	3,394,237					$	34,819					4.07		%																																					$	3,181,575					4.18		%				$	3,529,119					4.01		%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks						483,880						6,703						5.50		%				599,348						7,960						5.33		%				386,173						5,011						5.15		%																																					545,402						5.42		%				344,844						4.84		%
Gross loans (1)						11,534,000						215,433						7.41		%				11,440,930						211,760						7.42		%				10,623,734						192,261						7.18		%																																					11,347,720						7.41		%				10,504,431						6.95		%
Total earning assets						15,292,378						257,119						6.67		%				15,171,819						252,719						6.68		%				14,404,144						232,091						6.39		%																																					15,074,697						6.66		%				14,378,394						6.18		%
Nonearning assets
Allowance for credit losses						(159,252)																		(147,666)																		(150,297)																																																			(150,322)												(144,149)
Cash and due from banks						179,321																		174,435																		211,670																																																			185,934												217,281
Accrued interest and other assets						2,541,744																		2,529,663																		2,485,872																																																			2,520,065												2,502,652
Total assets						$	17,854,191																	$	17,728,251																	$	16,951,389																																																		$	17,630,374											$	16,954,178
Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand						$	2,914,934					$	15,919					2.17		%				$	2,888,252					$	14,923					2.07		%				$	2,927,416					$	12,953					1.76		%																																					$	2,899,707					2.11		%				$	2,913,737					1.28		%
Savings						4,694,923						34,220						2.89		%				4,617,658						33,142						2.88		%				3,919,590						19,853						2.01		%																																					4,571,236						2.83		%				3,829,802						1.45		%
Time						3,080,408						36,415						4.69		%				2,980,158						34,957						4.70		%				2,446,854						24,263						3.93		%																																					2,958,595						4.66		%				2,325,244						3.64		%
Total interest-bearing deposits						10,690,265						86,554						3.21		%				10,486,068						83,022						3.18		%				9,293,860						57,069						2.44		%																																					10,429,538						3.15		%				9,068,783						1.96		%
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings						714,156						9,932						5.52		%				831,774						11,395						5.49		%				1,064,669						14,615						5.45		%																																					780,573						5.53		%				1,112,426						5.18		%
Long-term debt						339,581						5,073						5.93		%				339,472						4,991						5.90		%				338,402						4,952						5.81		%																																					340,513						5.89		%				341,162						5.74		%
Total borrowed funds						1,053,737						15,005						5.65		%				1,171,246						16,386						5.61		%				1,403,071						19,567						5.53		%																																					1,121,086						5.64		%				1,453,588						5.31		%
Total interest-bearing liabilities						11,744,002						101,559						3.43		%				11,657,314						99,408						3.42		%				10,696,931						76,636						2.84		%																																					11,550,624						3.39		%				10,522,371						2.42		%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits						3,106,239																		3,144,198																		3,493,305																																																			3,139,939												3,702,189
Other liabilities						632,825																		645,699																		607,552																																																			633,664												604,831
Shareholders' equity						2,371,125																		2,281,040																		2,153,601																																																			2,306,147												2,124,787
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity						$	17,854,191																	$	17,728,251																	$	16,951,389																																																		$	17,630,374											$	16,954,178
Net interest income						$	155,560																	$	153,311																	$	155,455																																																		$	457,611											$	474,005
Net interest spread																		3.24		%																3.26		%																3.55		%																																											3.27		%										3.76		%
Net interest margin																		4.05		%																4.06		%																4.28		%																																											4.05		%										4.41		%
Tax equivalent adjustment																		0.03		%																0.04		%																0.05		%																																											0.04		%										0.04		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)																		4.08		%																4.10		%																4.33		%																																											4.09		%										4.45		%
(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

8

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS (1)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
						Linked Qtr. Income Variance																		Comparable Qtr. Income Variance																		Year-to-Date Income Variance
						Rate									Volume						Total						Rate						Volume						Total						Rate						Volume						Total
Earning assets
Investment securities						$	93								$	1,891					$	1,984					$	1,443					$	(1,279)					$	164					$	4,500					$	(10,855)					$	(6,355)
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks						252									(1,509)						(1,257)						339						1,353						1,692						1,499						8,134						9,633
Gross loans (2)						(388)									4,061						3,673						6,170						17,002						23,172						35,933						46,746						82,679
Total earning assets						(43)									4,443						4,400						7,952						17,076						25,028						41,932						44,025						85,957
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits						$	956								$	2,576					$	3,532					$	18,179					$	11,306					$	29,485					$	80,784					$	32,050					$	112,834
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings						47									(1,510)						(1,463)						192						(4,875)						(4,683)						2,888						(13,719)						(10,831)
Long-term debt						25									57						82						103						18						121						377						(29)						348
Total borrowed funds						72									(1,453)						(1,381)						295						(4,857)						(4,562)						3,265						(13,748)						(10,483)
Total interest-bearing liabilities						1,028									1,123						2,151						18,474						6,449						24,923						84,049						18,302						102,351
Net interest income (1)						$	(1,071)								$	3,320					$	2,249					$	(10,522)					$	10,627					$	105					$	(42,117)					$	25,723					$	(16,394)
(1) Not tax equivalent.
(2) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

9

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CREDIT QUALITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
																																	Nine months ended,
			Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						Sep. 30,						Sep. 30,
			2024						2024						2024						2023						2023						2024						2023
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period			$	156,185					$	144,274					$	141,433					$	145,201					$	148,646					$	141,433					$	132,977
Provision for credit losses			9,930						16,157						13,419						8,804						12,907						39,506						34,270
Gross charge-offs
Commercial and industrial			5,471						2,149						2,695						6,866						9,207						10,315						12,309
Lease financing			368						190						3						4,244						76						561						179
Construction real estate			0						0						0						0						0						0						0
Commercial real estate			261						2						5,319						1						6,008						5,582						8,722
Residential real estate			60						6						65						9						10						131						30
Home equity			90						122						25						174						54						237						166
Installment			1,510						2,034						2,236						2,054						1,349						5,780						4,388
Credit card			768						532						794						363						319						2,094						810
Total gross charge-offs			8,528						5,035						11,137						13,711						17,023						24,700						26,604
Recoveries
Commercial and industrial			434						236						162						459						335						832						1,075
Lease financing			11						1						59						52						1						71						3
Construction real estate			0						0						0						0						0						0						0
Commercial real estate			25						137						38						93						39						200						2,430
Residential real estate			22						37						24						24						44						83						223
Home equity			240						118						80						178						125						438						437
Installment			421						219						145						210						87						785						231
Credit card			91						41						51						123						40						183						159
Total recoveries			1,244						789						559						1,139						671						2,592						4,558
Total net charge-offs			7,284						4,246						10,578						12,572						16,352						22,108						22,046
Ending allowance for credit losses			$	158,831					$	156,185					$	144,274					$	141,433					$	145,201					$	158,831					$	145,201
NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
Commercial and industrial			0.54		%				0.21		%				0.29		%				0.74		%				1.02		%				0.35		%				0.43		%
Lease financing			0.26		%				0.15		%				(0.05)		%				3.97		%				0.08		%				0.13		%				0.07		%
Construction real estate			0.00		%				0.00		%				0.00		%				0.00		%				0.00		%				0.00		%				0.00		%
Commercial real estate			0.02		%				(0.01)		%				0.52		%				(0.01)		%				0.59		%				0.18		%				0.21		%
Residential real estate			0.01		%				(0.01)		%				0.01		%				0.00		%				(0.01)		%				0.00		%				(0.02)		%
Home equity			(0.07)		%				0.00		%				(0.03)		%				0.00		%				(0.04)		%				(0.03)		%				(0.05)		%
Installment			3.03		%				4.81		%				5.33		%				4.57		%				3.05		%				4.42		%				3.08		%
Credit card			4.13		%				2.94		%				4.59		%				1.49		%				1.82		%				3.88		%				1.48		%
Total net charge-offs			0.25		%				0.15		%				0.38		%				0.46		%				0.61		%				0.26		%				0.28		%
COMPONENTS OF NONACCRUAL LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial and industrial			$	10,703					$	17,665					$	14,532					$	15,746					$	17,152					$	10,703					$	17,152
Lease financing			11,632						5,374						3,794						3,610						7,731						11,632						7,731
Construction real estate			0						0						0						0						0						0						0
Commercial real estate			23,608						22,942						23,055						27,984						33,019						23,608						33,019
Residential real estate			14,596						12,715						12,836						14,067						12,328						14,596						12,328
Home equity			4,074						3,295						4,036						3,476						3,937						4,074						3,937
Installment			826						682						984						870						774						826						774
Total nonaccrual loans			65,439						62,673						59,237						65,753						74,941						65,439						74,941
Other real estate owned (OREO)			30						30						161						106						142						30						142
Total nonperforming assets			65,469						62,703						59,398						65,859						75,083						65,469						75,083
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more			463						1,573						820						2,028						698						463						698
Total underperforming assets			$	65,932					$	64,276					$	60,218					$	67,887					$	75,781					$	65,932					$	75,781
Total classified assets			$	206,194					$	195,277					$	162,348					$	140,995					$	140,552					$	206,194					$	140,552
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for credit losses to
Nonaccrual loans			242.72		%				249.21		%				243.55		%				215.10		%				193.75		%				242.72		%				193.75		%
Total ending loans			1.37		%				1.36		%				1.29		%				1.29		%				1.36		%				1.37		%				1.36		%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans			0.57		%				0.54		%				0.53		%				0.60		%				0.70		%				0.57		%				0.70		%
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO			0.57		%				0.54		%				0.53		%				0.60		%				0.71		%				0.57		%				0.71		%
Total assets			0.36		%				0.35		%				0.34		%				0.38		%				0.44		%				0.36		%				0.44		%
Classified assets to total assets			1.14		%				1.07		%				0.92		%				0.80		%				0.82		%				1.14		%				0.82		%

10

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended,																														Nine months ended,
			Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						Sep. 30,						Sep. 30,
			2024						2024						2024						2023						2023						2024						2023
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
High			$	28.09					$	23.78					$	23.68					$	24.28					$	24.02					$	28.09					$	26.24
Low			$	21.70					$	20.79					$	21.04					$	17.37					$	19.19					$	20.79					$	18.20
Close			$	25.23					$	22.22					$	22.42					$	23.75					$	19.60					$	25.23					$	19.60
Average shares outstanding - basic			94,473,666						94,438,235						94,218,067						94,063,570						94,030,275						94,377,010						93,896,716
Average shares outstanding - diluted			95,479,510						95,470,093						95,183,998						95,126,316						95,126,269						95,378,238						95,085,871
Ending shares outstanding			95,486,317						95,486,010						95,473,595						95,141,244						95,117,180						95,486,317						95,117,180
Total shareholders' equity			$	2,450,438					$	2,326,439					$	2,287,003					$	2,267,974					$	2,129,509					$	2,450,438					$	2,129,509
REGULATORY CAPITAL			Preliminary																														Preliminary
Common equity tier 1 capital			$	1,661,759					$	1,626,345					$	1,582,113					$	1,568,815					$	1,527,793					$	1,661,759					$	1,527,793
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio			12.04		%				11.78		%				11.67		%				11.73		%				11.60		%				12.04		%				11.60		%
Tier 1 capital			$	1,706,796					$	1,671,258					$	1,626,899					$	1,613,480					$	1,572,248					$	1,706,796					$	1,572,248
Tier 1 ratio			12.37		%				12.11		%				12.00		%				12.06		%				11.94		%				12.37		%				11.94		%
Total capital			$	2,012,349					$	1,997,378					$	1,940,762					$	1,907,441					$	1,868,490					$	2,012,349					$	1,868,490
Total capital ratio			14.58		%				14.47		%				14.31		%				14.26		%				14.19		%				14.58		%				14.19		%
Total capital in excess of minimum requirement			$	563,592					$	548,037					$	516,704					$	503,152					$	485,580					$	563,592					$	485,580
Total risk-weighted assets			$	13,797,681					$	13,803,249					$	13,562,455					$	13,374,177					$	13,170,574					$	13,797,681					$	13,170,574
Leverage ratio			9.93		%				9.73		%				9.75		%				9.70		%				9.59		%				9.93		%				9.59		%
OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets			13.50		%				12.81		%				12.99		%				12.94		%				12.49		%				13.50		%				12.49		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets (1)			7.98		%				7.23		%				7.23		%				7.17		%				6.50		%				7.98		%				6.50		%
Average shareholders' equity to average assets			13.28		%				12.87		%				13.09		%				12.52		%				12.70		%				13.08		%				12.53		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets (1)			7.64		%				7.15		%				7.25		%				6.57		%				6.69		%				7.35		%				6.49		%
REPURCHASE PROGRAM (2)
Shares repurchased			0						0						0						0						0						0						0
Average share repurchase price			N/A						N/A						N/A						N/A						N/A						N/A						N/A
Total cost of shares repurchased			N/A						N/A						N/A						N/A						N/A						N/A						N/A
(1) Non-GAAP measure. For details on the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the GAAP financial measure, see the sections titled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this release and “Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying slide presentation.
(2) Represents share repurchases as part of publicly announced plans.
N/A = Not applicable

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