Exhibit 99.1

First Financial Bancorp Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

•Earnings per diluted share of $0.54; $0.63 on an adjusted(1) basis

•Return on average assets of 1.13%; 1.33% on an adjusted(1) basis

•Net interest margin on FTE basis(1) of 3.88%

•Noninterest income of $51.1 million; $61.0 million on an adjusted(1) basis

•Noninterest expenses $128.1 million; $126.6 million on an adjusted(1) basis; 3% decline

•Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner for outstanding associate engagement

•Second consecutive "Outstanding" CRA rating

Cincinnati, Ohio - April 24, 2025. First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial” or the “Company”) announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company reported net income of $51.3 million, or $0.54 per diluted common share. These results compare to net income of $64.9 million, or $0.68 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2024.

Return on average assets for the first quarter of 2025 was 1.13% while return on average tangible common equity was 15.16%(1). These compare to return on average assets of 1.41% and return on average tangible common equity of 19.08%(1) in the fourth quarter of 2024.

First quarter 2025 highlights include:

•Robust net interest margin of 3.84%, or 3.88% on a fully tax-equivalent basis(1)

◦6 bp decline from fourth quarter, in line with expectations

◦12 bp decline in cost of deposits and 18 bp decline in asset yields

•Noninterest income of $51.1 million, or $61.0 million as adjusted(1)

◦Adjustments include $9.9 million loss on sales of investment securities

▪Sold $164.9 million of securities during the quarter; expected earnback of 2.3 years

◦Record wealth management income

◦Strong results from leasing business

•Noninterest expenses of $128.1 million, or $126.6 million as adjusted(1); 3.3% decrease from linked quarter

◦First quarter adjustments(1) include $0.5 million of efficiency related costs and $1.0 million of other costs not expected to recur such as tax credit investment write-downs and severance costs

◦Decline from linked quarter driven by decreased incentive compensation and lower fraud losses

◦Efficiency ratio of 63.9%; 60.2% as adjusted(1)

•Stable loan balances during the quarter

◦Loan balances decreased $37.6 million compared to the linked quarter

◦Payoffs in Commercial and ICRE lines of business, as well as seasonal production declines, offset modest increases in other portfolios

◦Average loan balances increased 1.5% on an annualized basis compared to linked quarter

•Modest seasonal average deposit decline in the first quarter, as expected

◦Average deposits decreased $99.0 million, or 2.8% on an annualized basis

◦Decline driven by non-interest bearing deposits, brokered deposits and public funds

◦Excluding brokered deposits, total average deposits increased $62.8 million over 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.

•Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $171.9 million; Total quarterly provision expense of $8.7 million

◦Loans and leases - ACL of $155.5 million; ratio to total loans of 1.33%; flat compared to prior quarter

◦Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $16.4 million

◦Provision expense driven by net charge offs

◦Nonperforming assets decreased 4 bps to 0.32% of total assets

◦Annualized net charge-offs were 36 bps of total loans; 4 bp decline from linked quarter

•Capital ratios stable and strong

◦Total capital ratio increased 26 bps to 14.90%

◦Tier 1 common equity increased 13 bps to 12.29%

◦Tangible common equity of 8.16%(1); 9.62%(1) excluding impact from AOCI

◦Tangible book value per share of $14.80(1); 4.6% increase from linked quarter

Archie Brown, President and CEO, commented on the first quarter results, “We had another solid quarter, and I am pleased with our performance. Adjusted(1) earnings per share were $0.63, with an adjusted(1) return on assets of 1.33% and an adjusted(1) return on tangible common equity of 17.8%. Our net interest margin remains strong, but declined slightly for the quarter as the decline in loan yields outpaced the decrease in deposit costs. Given current short-term interest rates, we expect the margin to expand in the near-term.”

Mr. Brown continued, “Loan balances were stable during the quarter. First quarter loan production was seasonally lower. This combined with the workout of several C&I credits and accelerated payoff pressure in the ICRE portfolio to impact loan growth for the period. We expect a modest level of growth in the second quarter as loan pipelines in our Consumer, C&I, and ICRE business lines are very healthy, however elevated prepayments in ICRE are expected to continue.”

Mr. Brown commented on fee income and expenses, “Adjusted(1) fee income was in line with our expectations at $61 million, representing a decline from the linked quarter due to seasonal fluctuations and less foreign exchange income, which offset another record quarter from our Wealth Management business. We expect seasonal rebounds in the second quarter and a healthy increase in fee income overall. We were very pleased with our expense management during the quarter, as adjusted(1) noninterest expenses declined by 3.3% due to a decrease in incentive compensation and lower fraud losses. Our efficiency efforts are ongoing, and, excluding the acquisition of Agile in the first quarter of last year, have resulted in a 7% reduction in FTE. We remain diligent in managing our expenses and expect additional benefits from our optimization efforts in the coming periods.”

Mr. Brown commented on asset quality and capital, “We were pleased with improvements in our asset quality metrics for the first quarter. Net charge-offs declined 4 bps from the linked quarter, while nonperforming assets declined by 9.5%. In the near-term, we expect asset quality to continue to improve. With respect to tariffs, we do not yet know their impact, and remain in close contact with our clients to assist them through any uncertainty. Capital ratios are strong and continued to grow in the first quarter. All regulatory ratios were well in excess of regulatory minimums and our tangible common equity ratio increased to 8.2%. Tangible book value per share increased to $14.80, representing a 5% increase from the linked quarter and 18% over the last year. We are focused on growing our tangible book value and are pleased that in the last three years, tangible book value per share has increased by 35%."

Mr. Brown concluded, “I also want to mention how proud I am of two other first quarter events. First Financial has been selected for the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for associate engagement. This distinction is earned by less than 3% of the thousands of companies that Gallup partners with worldwide. Engagement is a core part of our strategy and I want to acknowledge and thank our associates who work tirelessly to drive associate engagement, which directly leads to highly satisfied clients and increased shareholder value. Additionally, we have received another "Outstanding" Community Reinvestment Act rating from the Federal Reserve. This rating reflects our commitment to our communities, which is the foundation of our strategic plan. I am proud of our strength in service, investments, and lending, particularly to low and moderate income areas of our footprint.

In closing, while there is much uncertainty regarding the outlook for the economy, I believe we are well positioned to manage through any turbulence. We have very robust capital levels, strong and improving asset quality, diverse revenue streams, well-managed expenses, strong liquidity and industry leading profitability. I am very pleased with our start to the year and look forward to growing and serving clients in this challenging environment.”

Full detail of the Company’s first quarter 2025 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, April 25, 2025 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 May 9, 2025. 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, trade and tariff policies, 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, 2024, 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 March 31, 2025, the Company had $18.5 billion in assets, $11.7 billion in loans, $14.2 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 $3.7 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025. The Company operated 127 full service banking centers as of March 31, 2025, 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

March 31, 2025

(unaudited)

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

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended,
			Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,
			2025						2024						2024						2024						2024
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income			$	51,293					$	64,885					$	52,451					$	60,805					$	50,689
Net earnings per share - basic			$	0.54					$	0.69					$	0.56					$	0.64					$	0.54
Net earnings per share - diluted			$	0.54					$	0.68					$	0.55					$	0.64					$	0.53
Dividends declared per share			$	0.24					$	0.24					$	0.24					$	0.23					$	0.23
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets			1.13		%				1.41		%				1.17		%				1.38		%				1.18		%
Return on average shareholders' equity			8.46		%				10.57		%				8.80		%				10.72		%				9.00		%
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (1)			15.16		%				19.08		%				16.29		%				20.57		%				17.35		%
Net interest margin			3.84		%				3.91		%				4.05		%				4.06		%				4.05		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)(2)			3.88		%				3.94		%				4.08		%				4.10		%				4.10		%
Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets			13.55		%				13.13		%				13.50		%				12.81		%				12.99		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets (1)			8.16		%				7.73		%				7.98		%				7.23		%				7.23		%
Risk-weighted assets (1)			10.10		%				9.61		%				9.86		%				8.95		%				8.80		%
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets			13.38		%				13.36		%				13.28		%				12.87		%				13.09		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of average tangible assets (1)			7.94		%				7.87		%				7.64		%				7.15		%				7.25		%
Book value per share			$	26.13					$	25.53					$	25.66					$	24.36					$	23.95
Tangible book value per share (1)			$	14.80					$	14.15					$	14.26					$	12.94					$	12.50
Common equity tier 1 ratio (3)			12.29		%				12.16		%				12.04		%				11.78		%				11.67		%
Tier 1 ratio (3)			12.61		%				12.48		%				12.37		%				12.11		%				12.00		%
Total capital ratio (3)			14.90		%				14.64		%				14.58		%				14.47		%				14.31		%
Leverage ratio (3)			10.01		%				9.98		%				9.93		%				9.73		%				9.75		%
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans (4)			$	11,724,727					$	11,687,886					$	11,534,000					$	11,440,930					$	11,066,184
Investment securities			3,411,593						3,372,539						3,274,498						3,131,541						3,137,665
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks			615,812						654,251						483,880						599,348						553,654
Total earning assets			$	15,752,132					$	15,714,676					$	15,292,378					$	15,171,819					$	14,757,503
Total assets			$	18,368,604					$	18,273,419					$	17,854,191					$	17,728,251					$	17,306,221
Noninterest-bearing deposits			$	3,091,037					$	3,162,643					$	3,106,239					$	3,144,198					$	3,169,750
Interest-bearing deposits			11,149,633						11,177,010						10,690,265						10,486,068						10,109,416
Total deposits			$	14,240,670					$	14,339,653					$	13,796,504					$	13,630,266					$	13,279,166
Borrowings			$	1,001,337					$	855,083					$	1,053,737					$	1,171,246					$	1,139,014
Shareholders' equity			$	2,457,785					$	2,441,045					$	2,371,125					$	2,281,040					$	2,265,562
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans			1.33		%				1.33		%				1.37		%				1.36		%				1.29		%
Allowance to nonaccrual loans			261.07		%				237.66		%				242.72		%				249.21		%				243.55		%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans			0.51		%				0.56		%				0.57		%				0.54		%				0.53		%
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO			0.51		%				0.56		%				0.57		%				0.54		%				0.53		%
Nonperforming assets to total assets			0.32		%				0.36		%				0.36		%				0.35		%				0.34		%
Classified assets to total assets			1.16		%				1.21		%				1.14		%				1.07		%				0.92		%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)			0.36		%				0.40		%				0.25		%				0.15		%				0.38		%

(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) March 31, 2025 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.

(4) Includes loans held for sale.

2

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
			2025						2024
			First						Fourth						Third						Second						First						Full
			Quarter						Quarter						Quarter						Quarter						Quarter						Year
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees			$	197,163					$	207,508					$	215,433					$	211,760					$	201,840					$	836,541
Investment securities
Taxable			34,401						33,978						32,367						30,295						28,296						124,936
Tax-exempt			2,204						2,423						2,616						2,704						3,092						10,835
Total investment securities interest			36,605						36,401						34,983						32,999						31,388						135,771
Other earning assets			6,651						7,662						6,703						7,960						7,458						29,783
Total interest income			240,419						251,571						257,119						252,719						240,686						1,002,095
Interest expense
Deposits			78,641						85,441						86,554						83,022						76,075						331,092
Short-term borrowings			7,545						6,586						9,932						11,395						10,943						38,856
Long-term borrowings			4,937						5,145						5,073						4,991						4,928						20,137
Total interest expense			91,123						97,172						101,559						99,408						91,946						390,085
Net interest income			149,296						154,399						155,560						153,311						148,740						612,010
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases			9,141						9,705						9,930						16,157						13,419						49,211
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments			(441)						(273)						694						286						(2,259)						(1,552)
Net interest income after provision for credit losses			140,596						144,967						144,936						136,868						137,580						564,351
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts			7,463						7,632						7,547						7,188						6,912						29,279
Wealth management fees			8,137						7,962						6,910						7,172						6,676						28,720
Bankcard income			3,310						3,659						3,698						3,900						3,142						14,399
Client derivative fees			1,571						1,528						1,160						763						1,250						4,701
Foreign exchange income			12,544						16,794						12,048						16,787						10,435						56,064
Leasing business income			18,703						19,413						16,811						16,828						14,589						67,641
Net gains from sales of loans			4,322						4,634						5,021						4,479						3,784						17,918
Net gain (loss) on investment securities			(9,949)						144						(17,468)						(64)						(5,187)						(22,575)
Other			4,982						8,088						9,974						4,448						4,911						27,421
Total noninterest income			51,083						69,854						45,701						61,501						46,512						223,568
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits			75,238						80,314						74,813						75,225						74,037						304,389
Net occupancy			6,019						5,415						5,919						5,793						5,923						23,050
Furniture and equipment			3,813						3,476						3,617						3,646						3,688						14,427
Data processing			8,759						9,139						8,857						8,877						8,305						35,178
Marketing			2,018						2,204						2,255						2,605						1,962						9,026
Communication			812						767						851						816						795						3,229
Professional services			2,739						6,631						2,303						2,885						2,268						14,087
Amortization of tax credit investments			112						14,303						31						31						31						14,396
State intangible tax			877						(104)						876						875						877						2,524
FDIC assessments			3,059						2,736						3,036						2,657						2,780						11,209
Intangible amortization			2,359						2,395						2,395						2,396						2,301						9,487
Leasing business expense			12,802						12,536						11,899						10,128						9,754						44,317
Other			9,469						8,095						8,907						7,640						9,634						34,276
Total noninterest expenses			128,076						147,907						125,759						123,574						122,355						519,595
Income before income taxes			63,603						66,914						64,878						74,795						61,737						268,324
Income tax expense (benefit)			12,310						2,029						12,427						13,990						11,048						39,494
Net income			$	51,293					$	64,885					$	52,451					$	60,805					$	50,689					$	228,830
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic			$	0.54					$	0.69					$	0.56					$	0.64					$	0.54					$	2.42
Net earnings per share - diluted			$	0.54					$	0.68					$	0.55					$	0.64					$	0.53					$	2.40
Dividends declared per share			$	0.24					$	0.24					$	0.24					$	0.23					$	0.23					$	0.94
Return on average assets			1.13		%				1.41		%				1.17		%				1.38		%				1.18		%				1.29		%
Return on average shareholders' equity			8.46		%				10.57		%				8.80		%				10.72		%				9.00		%				9.78		%
Interest income			$	240,419					$	251,571					$	257,119					$	252,719					$	240,686					$	1,002,095
Tax equivalent adjustment			1,213						1,274						1,362						1,418						1,535						5,589
Interest income - tax equivalent			241,632						252,845						258,481						254,137						242,221						1,007,684
Interest expense			91,123						97,172						101,559						99,408						91,946						390,085
Net interest income - tax equivalent			$	150,509					$	155,673					$	156,922					$	154,729					$	150,275					$	617,599
Net interest margin			3.84		%				3.91		%				4.05		%				4.06		%				4.05		%				4.02		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)			3.88		%				3.94		%				4.08		%				4.10		%				4.10		%				4.05		%
Full-time equivalent employees			2,021						2,064						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.

3

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
			Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,						% Change						% Change
			2025						2024						2024						2024						2024						Linked Qtr.						Comp Qtr.
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks			$	190,610					$	174,258					$	190,618					$	193,794					$	199,407					9.4		%				(4.4)		%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks			633,349						730,228						660,576						738,555						751,290						(13.3)		%				(15.7)		%
Investment securities available-for-sale			3,260,981						3,183,776						3,157,265						3,036,758						2,850,667						2.4		%				14.4		%
Investment securities held-to-maturity			76,469						76,960						77,985						78,921						79,542						(0.6)		%				(3.9)		%
Other investments			120,826						114,598						120,318						132,412						125,548						5.4		%				(3.8)		%
Loans held for sale			17,927						13,181						12,685						16,911						11,534						36.0		%				55.4		%
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial			3,832,350						3,815,858						3,678,546						3,782,487						3,591,428						0.4		%				6.7		%
Lease financing			573,608						598,045						587,415						534,557						492,862						(4.1)		%				16.4		%
Construction real estate			824,775						779,446						802,264						741,406						641,596						5.8		%				28.6		%
Commercial real estate			3,956,880						4,061,744						4,034,820						4,076,596						4,145,969						(2.6)		%				(4.6)		%
Residential real estate			1,479,704						1,462,284						1,422,186						1,377,290						1,344,677						1.2		%				10.0		%
Home equity			872,502						849,039						825,431						800,860						773,811						2.8		%				12.8		%
Installment			119,672						133,051						141,270						148,530						153,838						(10.1)		%				(22.2)		%
Credit card			64,639						62,311						61,140						59,477						60,939						3.7		%				6.1		%
Total loans			11,724,130						11,761,778						11,553,072						11,521,203						11,205,120						(0.3)		%				4.6		%
Less:
Allowance for credit losses			(155,482)						(156,791)						(158,831)						(156,185)						(144,274)						(0.8)		%				7.8		%
Net loans			11,568,648						11,604,987						11,394,241						11,365,018						11,060,846						(0.3)		%				4.6		%
Premises and equipment			197,968						197,965						196,692						197,873						198,428						0.0		%				(0.2)		%
Operating leases			213,648						209,119						201,080						167,472						161,473						2.2		%				32.3		%
Goodwill			1,007,656						1,007,656						1,007,656						1,007,656						1,007,656						0.0		%				0.0		%
Other intangibles			77,002						79,291						81,547						83,528						85,603						(2.9)		%				(10.0)		%
Accrued interest and other assets			1,089,983						1,178,242						1,045,669						1,147,282						1,067,244						(7.5)		%				2.1		%
Total Assets			$	18,455,067					$	18,570,261					$	18,146,332					$	18,166,180					$	17,599,238					(0.6)		%				4.9		%
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand			$	3,004,601					$	3,095,724					$	2,884,971					$	2,922,540					$	2,916,518					(2.9)		%				3.0		%
Savings			4,886,613						4,948,768						4,710,223						4,628,320						4,467,894						(1.3)		%				9.4		%
Time			3,144,440						3,152,265						3,244,861						3,049,635						2,896,860						(0.2)		%				8.5		%
Total interest-bearing deposits			11,035,654						11,196,757						10,840,055						10,600,495						10,281,272						(1.4)		%				7.3		%
Noninterest-bearing			3,161,302						3,132,381						3,107,699						3,061,427						3,175,876						0.9		%				(0.5)		%
Total deposits			14,196,956						14,329,138						13,947,754						13,661,922						13,457,148						(0.9)		%				5.5		%
FHLB short-term borrowings			735,000						625,000						765,000						1,040,000						700,000						17.6		%				5.0		%
Other			64,792						130,452						46,653						139,172						162,145						(50.3)		%				(60.0)		%
Total short-term borrowings			799,792						755,452						811,653						1,179,172						862,145						5.9		%				(7.2)		%
Long-term debt			345,878						347,509						344,086						338,556						343,236						(0.5)		%				0.8		%
Total borrowed funds			1,145,670						1,102,961						1,155,739						1,517,728						1,205,381						3.9		%				(5.0)		%
Accrued interest and other liabilities			611,206						700,121						592,401						660,091						649,706						(12.7)		%				(5.9)		%
Total Liabilities			15,953,832						16,132,220						15,695,894						15,839,741						15,312,235						(1.1)		%				4.2		%
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock			1,637,041						1,642,055						1,639,045						1,635,705						1,632,971						(0.3)		%				0.2		%
Retained earnings			1,304,636						1,276,329						1,234,375						1,204,844						1,166,065						2.2		%				11.9		%
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			(253,888)						(289,799)						(232,262)						(323,409)						(321,109)						(12.4)		%				(20.9)		%
Treasury stock, at cost			(186,554)						(190,544)						(190,720)						(190,701)						(190,924)						(2.1)		%				(2.3)		%
Total Shareholders' Equity			2,501,235						2,438,041						2,450,438						2,326,439						2,287,003						2.6		%				9.4		%
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity			$	18,455,067					$	18,570,261					$	18,146,332					$	18,166,180					$	17,599,238					(0.6)		%				4.9		%

4

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
			Quarterly Averages
			Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,
			2025						2024						2024						2024						2024
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks			$	164,734					$	182,242					$	179,321					$	174,435					$	204,119
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks			615,812						654,251						483,880						599,348						553,654
Investment securities			3,411,593						3,372,539						3,274,498						3,131,541						3,137,665
Loans held for sale			10,212						17,284						16,399						14,075						12,069
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial			3,787,207						3,727,549						3,723,761						3,716,083						3,543,475
Lease financing			585,119						587,110						550,634						509,758						480,540
Construction real estate			797,100						826,936						763,779						683,780						603,974
Commercial real estate			4,018,211						4,045,347						4,059,939						4,146,764						4,101,238
Residential real estate			1,475,703						1,442,799						1,399,932						1,361,133						1,336,749
Home equity			858,153						837,863						811,265						790,384						765,410
Installment			127,192						136,927						143,102						151,753						157,663
Credit card			65,830						66,071						65,189						67,200						65,066
Total loans			11,714,515						11,670,602						11,517,601						11,426,855						11,054,115
Less:
Allowance for credit losses			(158,206)						(161,477)						(159,252)						(147,666)						(143,950)
Net loans			11,556,309						11,509,125						11,358,349						11,279,189						10,910,165
Premises and equipment			198,998						197,664						197,881						199,096						198,482
Operating leases			205,181						202,110						180,118						156,457						154,655
Goodwill			1,007,656						1,007,658						1,007,654						1,007,657						1,006,477
Other intangibles			78,220						80,486						82,619						84,577						84,109
Accrued interest and other assets			1,119,889						1,050,060						1,073,472						1,081,876						1,044,826
Total Assets			$	18,368,604					$	18,273,419					$	17,854,191					$	17,728,251					$	17,306,221
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand			$	3,090,526					$	3,081,148					$	2,914,934					$	2,888,252					$	2,895,768
Savings			4,918,004						4,886,784						4,694,923						4,617,658						4,399,768
Time			3,141,103						3,209,078						3,080,408						2,980,158						2,813,880
Total interest-bearing deposits			11,149,633						11,177,010						10,690,265						10,486,068						10,109,416
Noninterest-bearing			3,091,037						3,162,643						3,106,239						3,144,198						3,169,750
Total deposits			14,240,670						14,339,653						13,796,504						13,630,266						13,279,166
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase			2,055						2,282						10,807						750						4,204
FHLB short-term borrowings			553,667						415,652						626,490						669,111						646,187
Other			99,378						93,298						76,859						161,913						146,127
Total short-term borrowings			655,100						511,232						714,156						831,774						796,518
Long-term debt			346,237						343,851						339,581						339,472						342,496
Total borrowed funds			1,001,337						855,083						1,053,737						1,171,246						1,139,014
Accrued interest and other liabilities			668,812						637,638						632,825						645,699						622,479
Total Liabilities			15,910,819						15,832,374						15,483,066						15,447,211						15,040,659
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock			1,641,016						1,640,280						1,637,045						1,634,183						1,637,835
Retained earnings			1,282,300						1,249,263						1,210,924						1,179,827						1,144,447
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(275,068)						(257,792)						(285,978)						(341,941)						(319,601)
Treasury stock, at cost			(190,463)						(190,706)						(190,866)						(191,029)						(197,119)
Total Shareholders' Equity			2,457,785						2,441,045						2,371,125						2,281,040						2,265,562
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity			$	18,368,604					$	18,273,419					$	17,854,191					$	17,728,251					$	17,306,221

5

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
						Quarterly Averages
						March 31, 2025																		December 31, 2024																		March 31, 2024
						Balance						Interest						Yield						Balance						Interest						Yield						Balance						Interest						Yield
Earning assets
Investments:
Investment securities						$	3,411,593					$	36,605					4.35		%				$	3,372,539					$	36,401					4.28		%				$	3,137,665					$	31,388					4.01		%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks						615,812						6,651						4.38		%				654,251						7,662						4.65		%				553,654						7,458						5.40		%
Gross loans (1)						11,724,727						197,163						6.82		%				11,687,886						207,508						7.04		%				11,066,184						201,840						7.32		%
Total earning assets						15,752,132						240,419						6.19		%				15,714,676						251,571						6.35		%				14,757,503						240,686						6.54		%
Nonearning assets
Allowance for credit losses						(158,206)																		(161,477)																		(143,950)
Cash and due from banks						164,734																		182,242																		204,119
Accrued interest and other assets						2,609,944																		2,537,978																		2,488,549
Total assets						$	18,368,604																	$	18,273,419																	$	17,306,221
Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand						$	3,090,526					$	15,188					1.99		%				$	3,081,148					$	15,092					1.94		%				$	2,895,768					$	14,892					2.06		%
Savings						4,918,004						30,355						2.50		%				4,886,784						33,924						2.75		%				4,399,768						29,486						2.69		%
Time						3,141,103						33,098						4.27		%				3,209,078						36,425						4.50		%				2,813,880						31,697						4.52		%
Total interest-bearing deposits						11,149,633						78,641						2.86		%				11,177,010						85,441						3.03		%				10,109,416						76,075						3.02		%
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings						655,100						7,545						4.67		%				511,232						6,586						5.11		%				796,518						10,943						5.51		%
Long-term debt						346,237						4,937						5.78		%				343,851						5,145						5.94		%				342,496						4,928						5.77		%
Total borrowed funds						1,001,337						12,482						5.06		%				855,083						11,731						5.44		%				1,139,014						15,871						5.59		%
Total interest-bearing liabilities						12,150,970						91,123						3.04		%				12,032,093						97,172						3.20		%				11,248,430						91,946						3.28		%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits						3,091,037																		3,162,643																		3,169,750
Other liabilities						668,812																		637,638																		622,479
Shareholders' equity						2,457,785																		2,441,045																		2,265,562
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity						$	18,368,604																	$	18,273,419																	$	17,306,221
Net interest income						$	149,296																	$	154,399																	$	148,740
Net interest spread																		3.15		%																3.15		%																3.26		%
Net interest margin																		3.84		%																3.91		%																4.05		%
Tax equivalent adjustment																		0.04		%																0.03		%																0.05		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)																		3.88		%																3.94		%																4.10		%
(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

6

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS (1)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
						Linked Qtr. Income Variance																		Comparable Qtr. Income Variance
						Rate									Volume						Total						Rate						Volume						Total
Earning assets
Investment securities						$	589								$	(385)					$	204					$	2,652					$	2,565					$	5,217
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks						(439)									(572)						(1,011)						(1,412)						605						(807)
Gross loans (2)						(6,597)									(3,748)						(10,345)						(13,683)						9,006						(4,677)
Total earning assets						(6,447)									(4,705)						(11,152)						(12,443)						12,176						(267)
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits						$	(4,855)								$	(1,945)					$	(6,800)					$	(3,979)					$	6,545					$	2,566
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings						(567)									1,526						959						(1,667)						(1,731)						(3,398)
Long-term debt						(133)									(75)						(208)						10						(1)						9
Total borrowed funds						(700)									1,451						751						(1,657)						(1,732)						(3,389)
Total interest-bearing liabilities						(5,555)									(494)						(6,049)						(5,636)						4,813						(823)
Net interest income (1)						$	(892)								$	(4,211)					$	(5,103)					$	(6,807)					$	7,363					$	556
(1) Not tax equivalent.
(2) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

7

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CREDIT QUALITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
			Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,
			2025						2024						2024						2024						2024
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period			$	156,791					$	158,831					$	156,185					$	144,274					$	141,433
Provision for credit losses			9,141						9,705						9,930						16,157						13,419
Gross charge-offs
Commercial and industrial			8,178						4,333						5,471						2,149						2,695
Lease financing			1,454						2,831						368						190						3
Construction real estate			0						0						0						0						0
Commercial real estate			0						5,051						261						2						5,319
Residential real estate			0						12						60						6						65
Home equity			86						210						90						122						25
Installment			1,321						1,680						1,510						2,034						2,236
Credit card			474						492						768						532						794
Total gross charge-offs			11,513						14,609						8,528						5,035						11,137
Recoveries
Commercial and industrial			195						1,779						434						236						162
Lease financing			29						17						11						1						59
Construction real estate			0						0						0						0						0
Commercial real estate			24						19						25						137						38
Residential real estate			24						23						22						37						24
Home equity			144						222						240						118						80
Installment			563						499						421						219						145
Credit card			84						305						91						41						51
Total recoveries			1,063						2,864						1,244						789						559
Total net charge-offs			10,450						11,745						7,284						4,246						10,578
Ending allowance for credit losses			$	155,482					$	156,791					$	158,831					$	156,185					$	144,274
NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
Commercial and industrial			0.85		%				0.27		%				0.54		%				0.21		%				0.29		%
Lease financing			0.99		%				1.91		%				0.26		%				0.15		%				(0.05)		%
Construction real estate			0.00		%				0.00		%				0.00		%				0.00		%				0.00		%
Commercial real estate			0.00		%				0.49		%				0.02		%				(0.01)		%				0.52		%
Residential real estate			(0.01)		%				0.00		%				0.01		%				(0.01)		%				0.01		%
Home equity			(0.03)		%				(0.01)		%				(0.07)		%				0.00		%				(0.03)		%
Installment			2.42		%				3.43		%				3.03		%				4.81		%				5.33		%
Credit card			2.40		%				1.13		%				4.13		%				2.94		%				4.59		%
Total net charge-offs			0.36		%				0.40		%				0.25		%				0.15		%				0.38		%
COMPONENTS OF NONACCRUAL LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial and industrial			$	7,649					$	6,641					$	10,703					$	17,665					$	14,532
Lease financing			6,487						6,227						11,632						5,374						3,794
Construction real estate			0						0						0						0						0
Commercial real estate			25,736						32,303						23,608						22,942						23,055
Residential real estate			16,044						16,700						14,596						12,715						12,836
Home equity			2,920						3,418						4,074						3,295						4,036
Installment			719						684						826						682						984
Total nonaccrual loans			59,555						65,973						65,439						62,673						59,237
Other real estate owned (OREO)			213						64						30						30						161
Total nonperforming assets			59,768						66,037						65,469						62,703						59,398
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more			228						361						463						1,573						820
Total underperforming assets			$	59,996					$	66,398					$	65,932					$	64,276					$	60,218
Total classified assets			$	213,351					$	224,084					$	206,194					$	195,277					$	162,348
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for credit losses to
Nonaccrual loans			261.07		%				237.66		%				242.72		%				249.21		%				243.55		%
Total ending loans			1.33		%				1.33		%				1.37		%				1.36		%				1.29		%
Nonaccrual loans to total loans			0.51		%				0.56		%				0.57		%				0.54		%				0.53		%
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO			0.51		%				0.56		%				0.57		%				0.54		%				0.53		%
Total assets			0.32		%				0.36		%				0.36		%				0.35		%				0.34		%
Classified assets to total assets			1.16		%				1.21		%				1.14		%				1.07		%				0.92		%

8

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
			Three Months Ended,
			Mar. 31,						Dec. 31,						Sep. 30,						June 30,						Mar. 31,
			2025						2024						2024						2024						2024
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
High			$	29.04					$	30.34					$	28.09					$	23.78					$	23.68
Low			$	24.25					$	23.98					$	21.70					$	20.79					$	21.04
Close			$	24.98					$	26.88					$	25.23					$	22.22					$	22.42
Average shares outstanding - basic			94,645,787						94,486,838						94,473,666						94,438,235						94,218,067
Average shares outstanding - diluted			95,524,262						95,487,564						95,479,510						95,470,093						95,183,998
Ending shares outstanding			95,730,353						95,494,840						95,486,317						95,486,010						95,473,595
Total shareholders' equity			$	2,501,235					$	2,438,041					$	2,450,438					$	2,326,439					$	2,287,003
REGULATORY CAPITAL			Preliminary
Common equity tier 1 capital			$	1,724,134					$	1,709,422					$	1,661,759					$	1,626,345					$	1,582,113
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio			12.29		%				12.16		%				12.04		%				11.78		%				11.67		%
Tier 1 capital			$	1,769,357					$	1,754,584					$	1,706,796					$	1,671,258					$	1,626,899
Tier 1 ratio			12.61		%				12.48		%				12.37		%				12.11		%				12.00		%
Total capital			$	2,090,211					$	2,057,877					$	2,012,349					$	1,997,378					$	1,940,762
Total capital ratio			14.90		%				14.64		%				14.58		%				14.47		%				14.31		%
Total capital in excess of minimum requirement			$	617,347					$	581,659					$	563,273					$	548,037					$	516,704
Total risk-weighted assets			$	14,027,274					$	14,059,215					$	13,800,728					$	13,803,249					$	13,562,455
Leverage ratio			10.01		%				9.98		%				9.93		%				9.73		%				9.75		%
OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets			13.55		%				13.13		%				13.50		%				12.81		%				12.99		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets (1)			8.16		%				7.73		%				7.98		%				7.23		%				7.23		%
Average shareholders' equity to average assets			13.38		%				13.36		%				13.28		%				12.87		%				13.09		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets (1)			7.94		%				7.87		%				7.64		%				7.15		%				7.25		%
REPURCHASE PROGRAM (2)
Shares repurchased			0						0						0						0						0
Average share repurchase price			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
(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

9