First Financial Bancorp.: First Financial Bancorp Announces Record Third Quarter Financial Results and Quarterly Dividend

• Earnings per diluted share of $0.77; $0.84 on an adjusted⁽¹⁾ basis; 11% increase from the third quarter of 2025 and highest in Company history
• Return on average assets of 1.44%; 1.56% on an adjusted⁽¹⁾ basis
• Net interest margin on FTE basis⁽¹⁾ of 4.07%; 9 bp increase from linked quarter
• Loan growth of $170 million, or 4.9% on an annualized basis
• Record adjusted⁽¹⁾ noninterest income; $5.7 million, or 8%, increase from the linked quarter
• ROTCE of 18.7%; 20.2% on adjusted⁽¹⁾ basis
• Received Federal regulatory approval for Finward acquisition; expected to close 1/1/27

CINCINNATI, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) ("First Financial" or the "Company") announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026.

For the three months ended September 30, 2026, the Company reported net income of $81.2 million, or $0.77 per diluted common share. These results compare to net income of $76.5 million, or $0.73 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2026. For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, First Financial had earnings per diluted share of $2.21 compared to $2.02 for the same period in 2025.

Return on average assets for the third quarter of 2026 was 1.44% while return on average tangible common equity was 18.67%⁽¹⁾. These compare to return on average assets of 1.37% and return on average tangible common equity of 17.95%⁽¹⁾ in the second quarter of 2026.

Third quarter 2026 highlights include:

• Robust net interest margin of 4.05%, or 4.07% on a fully tax-equivalent basis⁽¹⁾
  • 9 bp increase from second quarter driven by 13 bp increase in asset yields, partially offset by a 4 bp increase in funding costs

• Noninterest income of $77.7 million; $77.6 million on an adjusted⁽¹⁾ basis
  • Double digit percentage growth from linked quarter in wealth management income, bankcard income, and client derivative fees
  • Foreign exchange income increased $4.4 million, or 33.5%, from linked quarter
  • Strong leasing business income of $23.0 million

• Noninterest expenses of $165.7 million; $156.9 million on an adjusted⁽¹⁾ basis
  • Adjustments⁽¹⁾ include $7.5 million of acquisition related expenses, $0.8 million of amortization of tax credit investments and $0.6 million of other expenses not expected to recur
  • Increase from prior quarter driven by compensation costs tied to fee income, as well as increases in credit collection and healthcare costs
  • Efficiency ratio of 60.5%; 57.3% as adjusted⁽¹⁾

• Solid loan growth during the quarter
  • Loan balances increased $170.2 million, or 4.9% on an annualized basis, compared to linked quarter
  • Quarterly growth driven by C&I, Consumer and Summit

• Moderate deposit growth during the quarter
  • Average deposit balances increased $52.4 million, or 1.2% on an annualized basis
  • Growth in interest-bearing demand accounts, money market accounts and retail CDs offset a decline in brokered CDs, savings, and noninterest-bearing accounts
  • Excluding brokered CDs, average deposits increased $144.0 million

• Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $209.8 million; Total quarterly provision expense of $8.9 million
  • Loans and leases - ACL of $191.7 million
  • ACL to total loans of 1.38%
  • Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $18.2 million
  • Annualized net charge-offs were $7.2 million in third quarter, or 21 bps of total loans
  • Nonperforming assets increased 2 bps to 0.45% of total assets
  • Classified assets increased to 1.26% of total assets primarily due to the downgrade of a single ICRE relationship

• Capital ratios remain strong despite significant decline in AOCI
  • Total capital ratio increased 8 bps to 15.83%
  • Tier 1 common equity increased 21 bps to 12.54%
  • Tangible common equity of 7.81%⁽¹⁾; 9.65%⁽¹⁾ excluding impact from AOCI
  • Tangible book value per share of $15.65⁽¹⁾; 5.9% decrease from linked quarter

Additionally, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per common share for the next regularly scheduled dividend, payable on December 15, 2026 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2026.

Archie Brown, President and CEO, commented on third quarter results, "I am very pleased with our performance in the third quarter. Adjusted⁽¹⁾ net income was $87.8 million and adjusted⁽¹⁾ earnings per share were $0.84, which resulted in an adjusted⁽¹⁾ return on assets of 1.56% and an adjusted⁽¹⁾ return on tangible common equity of 20.2%. Earnings per share increased 11% from the third quarter of 2025 and were the highest in the Company's history. We delivered record third quarter revenue of $273.9 million, driven by a strong net interest margin of 4.07% and record adjusted⁽¹⁾ fee revenue of $77.6 million."

Mr. Brown continued, "Loan balances increased moderately during the quarter, consistent with our prior quarter outlook, with particularly strong growth in our C&I portfolio. Loan pipelines remain healthy as we enter the fourth quarter, and we expect low to mid single digit loan growth as we close out 2026."

Mr. Brown continued, discussing fees and expenses, "We are very encouraged by the strength and diversification of our fee income, as adjusted⁽¹⁾ noninterest income was a record $77.6 million and 28% of total revenues. Growth from the linked quarter was driven by strong performances from foreign exchange, wealth management, client derivatives and bankcard income.

"As a result of our strong fee income and overall operating performance, expenses were elevated during the quarter, driven primarily by incentive costs associated with our record revenues, as well as higher health care claims and increased credit and collection costs. We expect expenses to moderate in the fourth quarter."

Mr. Brown commented on asset quality and capital, "Credit quality trends were stable during the third quarter. Net charge-offs and nonperforming assets were comparable to second quarter levels, while classified assets increased significantly. The increase in classified assets was primarily driven by the downgrade of a single ICRE relationship with multiple loans, and we expect to resolve the workout of this relationship over the next few quarters.

"All regulatory capital ratios increased from the second quarter; however, tangible book value per share and tangible common equity declined in response to the sharp increase in interest rates during the second half of the quarter. Tangible book value per share decreased 6% from the linked quarter to $15.65, while tangible common equity declined 43 basis points from June 30, to 7.81% at the end of September."

Mr. Brown concluded, "We delivered another strong quarter and have had an excellent year to date. We are pleased to have received Federal regulatory approval for our acquisition of Finward and expect to close the transaction on January 1, 2027, subject to the receipt of state regulatory and Finward shareholder approvals. Looking ahead, we remain focused on closing the year on a strong note, completing the Finward transaction, and carrying our momentum into 2027.

"Finally, I want to acknowledge the recently announced changes to our senior leadership structure. These changes were designed to promote continuity, reinforce our commitment to strong financial performance, and maintain our engagement-centric culture. I have tremendous confidence in Jamie and the rest of our leadership team, and the positive impact we are already seeing from these organizational changes underscores the strength of our people, our culture, and our continued commitment to serving our clients and communities."

Full detail of the Company's third quarter 2026 performance is provided in the accompanying financial statements and slide presentation.

⁽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.

Teleconference / Webcast Information

First Financial's executive management will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial and operating results on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial [phone] (U.S. toll free), meeting ID 257491860. The number should be dialed five to ten minutes prior to the start of the conference call. 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.

No Offer or Solicitation

This presentation does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval with respect to the proposed transaction between First Financial and Finward. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy shall be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, First Financial filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC to register the shares of First Financial capital stock to be issued in connection with the proposed transaction, which became effective with the SEC on September 28, 2026. The Registration Statement includes a proxy statement of Finward and a prospectus of First Financial (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), and First Financial and Finward may file with the SEC other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FIRST FINANCIAL, FINWARD AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.

A copy of the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about First Financial and Finward, may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). Copies of documents filed with the SEC by First Financial will be made available free of charge in the "Investor Relations" section of First Financial's website, https://www.bankatfirst.com/about/investor-relations.html. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Finward will be made available free of charge in the "Investor Relations" section of Finward's website, https://www.investorrelations.ibankpeoples.com. The information on First Financial's and Finward's websites is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this communication or incorporated into other filings either First Financial makes with the SEC.

Participants in the Solicitation

First Financial, Finward and certain of their respective directors, executive officers, management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction between First Financial and Finward. Information concerning First Financial's participants is set forth in the Proxy Statement, dated April 16, 2026, for First Financial's 2026 annual meeting of stockholders as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A. Information concerning Finward's participants is set forth in the Proxy Statement, dated April 3, 2026, for Finward's 2026 annual meeting of stockholders as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A. Additional information regarding the participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction and interests of participants of First Financial and Finward in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction is included in the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents, when available, may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, which statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the operations of First Financial Bancorp. and its subsidiaries (the "Company", "First Financial", "we", "us", or "our") such as (i) our future operating or financial performance, including revenues, income or loss and earnings per share, (ii) future common stock dividends, (iii) our capital structure, including future capital levels, (iv) our plans, objectives and strategies, and (v) the uncertainties and assumptions that underlie our forward-looking statements. Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualified words (and their derivatives) such as "may," "will," "anticipate," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "contemplate," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "project" and "intend," as well as words of similar meaning or other statements concerning opinions or judgment of First Financial or their respective management about future events. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the time they are made and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood and degree of occurrence, which could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among others, the following:

• economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with First Financial'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;
• pursuit of mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to any acquisitions and/or integrations of any acquired companies;
• the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of First Financial's prior, in process, or contemplated acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period;
• the possibility that any of acquisitions that have not yet been consummated, such as the acquisition of Finward Bancorp, is not consummated for any reason, including the failure to satisfy any closing conditions, termination of a merger agreement by either party, or the failure to receive any required regulatory or shareholder approvals;
• 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;
• 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.

These factors are not necessarily all of the factors that could cause First Financial's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of the forward-looking statements. Other factors, including unknown or unpredictable factors, also could harm the results of First Financial. Although First Financial believes that its expectations with respect to forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its existing knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results of First Financial will not differ materially from any projected future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in First Financial's most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents subsequently filed by First Financial with the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Investors are cautioned not to rely too heavily on any such forward-looking statements. First Financial urges you to consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating all such forward-looking statements made by First Financial. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and First Financial undertakes no obligation to update or clarify these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

About First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of September 30, 2026, the Company had $22.3 billion in assets, $13.9 billion in loans, $17.7 billion in deposits and $2.9 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 $4.5 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2026. The Company operated 151 full service banking centers as of September 30, 2026, located in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. In 2025, First Financial Bank received its second consecutive Outstanding rating from the Federal Reserve for its performance under the Community Reinvestment Act and was recognized as a Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner, one of only 70 Gallup clients worldwide to receive this designation. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

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,		September 30,
	2026		2026		2026		2025		2025		2026		2025
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income	$ 81,182		$ 76,456		$ 74,445		$ 62,393		$ 71,923		$232,083		$193,212
Net earnings per share - basic	$ 0.78		$ 0.74		$ 0.72		$ 0.65		$ 0.76		$ 2.23		$ 2.04
Net earnings per share - diluted	$ 0.77		$ 0.73		$ 0.71		$ 0.64		$ 0.75		$ 2.21		$ 2.02
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.26		$ 0.25		$ 0.25		$ 0.25		$ 0.25		$ 0.76		$ 0.73
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets	1.44 %		1.37 %		1.34 %		1.22 %		1.54 %		1.39 %		1.40 %
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.87 %		10.39 %		10.24 %		9.18 %		11.08 %		10.50 %		10.26 %
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (1)	18.67 %		17.95 %		17.78 %		16.27 %		19.11 %		18.14 %		18.03 %
Net interest margin	4.05 %		3.96 %		3.97 %		3.96 %		3.99 %		3.99 %		3.95 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)(2)	4.07 %		3.98 %		3.99 %		3.98 %		4.02 %		4.01 %		3.98 %
Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets	12.91 %		13.31 %		12.91 %		13.11 %		14.18 %		12.91 %		14.18 %
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets (1)	7.81 %		8.24 %		7.87 %		7.79 %		8.87 %		7.81 %		8.87 %
Risk-weighted assets (1)	9.86 %		10.62 %		10.51 %		9.76 %		10.94 %		9.86 %		10.94 %
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets	13.28 %		13.18 %		13.12 %		13.31 %		13.87 %		13.19 %		13.64 %
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of average tangible assets (1)	8.18 %		8.08 %		8.01 %		7.97 %		8.54 %		8.09 %		8.25 %
Book value per share	$ 27.39		$ 28.46		$ 28.02		$ 28.11		$ 27.48		$ 27.39		$ 27.48
Tangible book value per share (1)	$ 15.65		$ 16.64		$ 16.15		$ 15.74		$ 16.19		$ 15.65		$ 16.19
Common equity tier 1 ratio (3)	12.54 %		12.33 %		12.22 %		11.32 %		12.91 %		12.54 %		12.91 %
Tier 1 ratio (3)	12.81 %		12.61 %		12.50 %		11.60 %		13.23 %		12.81 %		13.23 %
Total capital ratio (3)	15.83 %		15.75 %		15.70 %		15.46 %		15.32 %		15.83 %		15.32 %
Leverage ratio (3)	9.96 %		9.66 %		9.39 %		9.53 %		10.50 %		9.96 %		10.50 %
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans (4)	$13,821,897		$13,619,039		$14,028,324		$12,812,267		$11,806,065		$13,822,331		$11,774,842
Investment securities	4,925,893		5,079,730		4,769,261		3,988,846		3,552,014		4,925,535		3,481,357
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	499,575		605,647		596,094		647,347		610,074		566,752		589,546
Total earning assets	$19,247,365		$19,304,416		$19,393,679		$17,448,460		$15,968,153		$19,314,618		$15,845,745
Total assets	$22,321,112		$22,391,439		$22,459,721		$20,256,539		$18,566,188		$22,390,250		$18,452,133
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$ 3,797,339		$ 3,811,391		$ 3,745,002		$ 3,436,709		$ 3,124,277		$ 3,784,769		$ 3,119,587
Interest-bearing deposits	13,941,854		13,875,384		13,900,550		12,521,948		11,387,648		13,906,081		11,250,530
Total deposits	$17,739,193		$17,686,775		$17,645,552		$15,958,657		$14,511,925		$17,690,850		$14,370,117
Borrowings	$ 778,982		$ 891,636		$ 1,012,161		$ 848,650		$ 823,346		$ 893,406		$ 911,100
Shareholders' equity	$ 2,963,270		$ 2,951,237		$ 2,947,585		$ 2,695,581		$ 2,575,203		$ 2,954,088		$ 2,516,675
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans	1.38 %		1.38 %		1.36 %		1.39 %		1.38 %		1.38 %		1.38 %
Allowance to nonaccrual loans	191.25 %		197.51 %		182.73 %		183.18 %		213.18 %		191.25 %		213.18 %
Nonaccrual loans to total loans	0.72 %		0.70 %		0.75 %		0.76 %		0.65 %		0.72 %		0.65 %
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO	0.72 %		0.70 %		0.75 %		0.76 %		0.65 %		0.72 %		0.65 %
Nonperforming assets to total assets	0.45 %		0.43 %		0.44 %		0.48 %		0.41 %		0.45 %		0.41 %
Classified assets to total assets	1.26 %		1.01 %		1.02 %		1.11 %		1.18 %		1.26 %		1.18 %
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)	0.21 %		0.20 %		0.35 %		0.27 %		0.18 %		0.25 %		0.25 %

⁽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, 2026 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.

⁽⁴⁾ Includes loans held for sale.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	Three months ended,						Nine months ended,
	September 30,						September 30,
	2026		2025		% Change		2026		2025		% Change
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$ 228,730		$ 204,865		11.6 %		$ 672,845		$ 603,488		11.5 %
Investment securities
Taxable	53,631		36,421		47.3 %		157,026		107,065		46.7 %
Tax-exempt	2,425		2,195		10.5 %		7,423		6,632		11.9 %
Total investment securities interest	56,056		38,616		45.2 %		164,449		113,697		44.6 %
Other earning assets	4,514		6,773		(33.4) %		15,345		19,388		(20.9) %
Total interest income	289,300		250,254		15.6 %		852,639		736,573		15.8 %
Interest expense
Deposits	82,263		77,766		5.8 %		241,248		231,891		4.0 %
Short-term borrowings	4,070		5,979		(31.9) %		14,235		19,917		(28.5) %
Long-term borrowings	6,711		6,023		11.4 %		20,913		16,714		25.1 %
Total interest expense	93,044		89,768		3.6 %		276,396		268,522		2.9 %
Net interest income	196,256		160,486		22.3 %		576,243		468,051		23.1 %
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases	8,975		8,612		4.2 %		27,938		26,837		4.1 %
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments	(72)		453		(115.9) %		(2,305)		730		(415.8) %
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	187,353		151,421		23.7 %		550,610		440,484		25.0 %
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	9,031		7,829		15.4 %		26,940		23,058		16.8 %
Wealth management fees	9,135		7,351		24.3 %		27,869		23,275		19.7 %
Bankcard income	3,862		3,589		7.6 %		10,474		10,636		(1.5) %
Client derivative fees	2,511		1,876		33.8 %		7,964		5,121		55.5 %
Foreign exchange income	17,485		16,666		4.9 %		46,899		42,970		9.1 %
Leasing business income	22,967		20,997		9.4 %		67,325		60,497		11.3 %
Net gains from sales of loans	5,650		6,835		(17.3) %		18,355		17,844		2.9 %
Net gain (loss) on investment securities	247		(42)		688.1 %		(1,350)		(9,748)		86.2 %
Gain on bargain purchase	37		0		100.0 %		12,118		0		100.0 %
Other	6,733		8,424		(20.1) %		16,761		19,018		(11.9) %
Total noninterest income	77,658		73,525		5.6 %		233,355		192,671		21.1 %
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	94,385		80,607		17.1 %		281,158		230,762		21.8 %
Net occupancy	7,591		6,003		26.5 %		22,679		17,867		26.9 %
Furniture and equipment	4,834		3,582		35.0 %		13,837		10,836		27.7 %
Data processing	12,685		9,591		32.3 %		38,893		27,370		42.1 %
Marketing	3,801		2,359		61.1 %		10,069		7,114		41.5 %
Professional services	3,566		2,314		54.1 %		14,939		8,602		73.7 %
Amortization of tax credit investments	774		112		591.1 %		2,112		335		530.4 %
FDIC assessments	3,170		2,611		21.4 %		9,693		8,281		17.1 %
Intangible amortization	6,230		2,359		164.1 %		18,720		7,076		164.6 %
Leasing business expense	14,315		13,911		2.9 %		43,077		39,868		8.0 %
Other	14,385		10,820		32.9 %		41,509		32,905		26.1 %
Total noninterest expenses	165,736		134,269		23.4 %		496,686		391,016		27.0 %
Income before income taxes	99,275		90,677		9.5 %		287,279		242,139		18.6 %
Income tax expense	18,093		18,754		(3.5) %		55,196		48,927		12.8 %
Net income	$ 81,182		$ 71,923		12.9 %		$ 232,083		$ 193,212		20.1 %
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$ 0.78		$ 0.76				$ 2.23		$ 2.04
Net earnings per share - diluted	$ 0.77		$ 0.75				$ 2.21		$ 2.02
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.26		$ 0.25				$ 0.76		$ 0.73
Return on average assets	1.44 %		1.54 %				1.39 %		1.40 %
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.87 %		11.08 %				10.50 %		10.26 %
Interest income	$ 289,300		$ 250,254		15.6 %		$ 852,639		$ 736,573		15.8 %
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,114		1,248		(10.7) %		3,461		3,707		(6.6) %
Interest income - tax equivalent	290,414		251,502		15.5 %		856,100		740,280		15.6 %
Interest expense	93,044		89,768		3.6 %		276,396		268,522		2.9 %
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$ 197,370		$ 161,734		22.0 %		$ 579,704		$ 471,758		22.9 %
Net interest margin	4.05 %		3.99 %				3.99 %		3.95 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	4.07 %		4.02 %				4.01 %		3.98 %
Full-time equivalent employees	2,251		1,986
(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.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	2026
	Third		Second		First		Year to		% Change
	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Date		Linked Qtr.
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$ 228,730		$ 219,164		$ 224,951		$ 672,845		4.4 %
Investment securities
Taxable	53,631		53,904		49,491		157,026		(0.5) %
Tax-exempt	2,425		2,472		2,526		7,423		(1.9) %
Total investment securities interest	56,056		56,376		52,017		164,449		(0.6) %
Other earning assets	4,514		5,381		5,450		15,345		(16.1) %
Total interest income	289,300		280,921		282,418		852,639		3.0 %
Interest expense
Deposits	82,263		79,250		79,735		241,248		3.8 %
Short-term borrowings	4,070		4,997		5,168		14,235		(18.6) %
Long-term borrowings	6,711		6,297		7,905		20,913		6.6 %
Total interest expense	93,044		90,544		92,808		276,396		2.8 %
Net interest income	196,256		190,377		189,610		576,243		3.1 %
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases	8,975		12,933		6,030		27,938		(30.6) %
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments	(72)		(4,743)		2,510		(2,305)		(98.5) %
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	187,353		182,187		181,070		550,610		2.8 %
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	9,031		8,896		9,013		26,940		1.5 %
Wealth management fees	9,135		8,252		10,482		27,869		10.7 %
Bankcard income	3,862		3,032		3,580		10,474		27.4 %
Client derivative fees	2,511		1,443		4,010		7,964		74.0 %
Foreign exchange income	17,485		13,101		16,313		46,899		33.5 %
Leasing business income	22,967		22,750		21,608		67,325		1.0 %
Net gains from sales of loans	5,650		6,658		6,047		18,355		(15.1) %
Net gain (loss) on investment securities	247		(337)		(1,260)		(1,350)		173.3 %
Gain on bargain purchase	37		3,189		8,892		12,118		(98.8) %
Other	6,733		6,807		3,221		16,761		(1.1) %
Total noninterest income	77,658		73,791		81,906		233,355		5.2 %
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	94,385		86,917		99,856		281,158		8.6 %
Net occupancy	7,591		7,535		7,553		22,679		0.7 %
Furniture and equipment	4,834		4,310		4,693		13,837		12.2 %
Data processing	12,685		13,554		12,654		38,893		(6.4) %
Marketing	3,801		3,616		2,652		10,069		5.1 %
Professional services	3,566		7,387		3,986		14,939		(51.7) %
Amortization of tax credit investments	774		669		669		2,112		15.7 %
FDIC assessments	3,170		2,878		3,645		9,693		10.1 %
Intangible amortization	6,230		6,229		6,261		18,720		0.0 %
Leasing business expense	14,315		14,633		14,129		43,077		(2.2) %
Other	14,385		13,814		13,310		41,509		4.1 %
Total noninterest expenses	165,736		161,542		169,408		496,686		2.6 %
Income before income taxes	99,275		94,436		93,568		287,279		5.1 %
Income tax expense	18,093		17,980		19,123		55,196		0.6 %
Net income	$ 81,182		$ 76,456		$ 74,445		$ 232,083		6.2 %
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$ 0.78		$ 0.74		$ 0.72		$ 2.23
Net earnings per share - diluted	$ 0.77		$ 0.73		$ 0.71		$ 2.21
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.26		$ 0.25		$ 0.25		$ 0.76
Return on average assets	1.44 %		1.37 %		1.34 %		1.39 %
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.87 %		10.39 %		10.24 %		10.50 %
Interest income	$ 289,300		$ 280,921		$ 282,418		$ 852,639		3.0 %
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,114		1,161		1,186		3,461		(4.0) %
Interest income - tax equivalent	290,414		282,082		283,604		856,100		3.0 %
Interest expense	93,044		90,544		92,808		276,396		2.8 %
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$ 197,370		$ 191,538		$ 190,796		$ 579,704		3.0 %
Net interest margin	4.05 %		3.96 %		3.97 %		3.99 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	4.07 %		3.98 %		3.99 %		4.01 %
Full-time equivalent employees	2,251		2,371		2,319
(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.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	2025
	Fourth		Third		Second		First		Full
	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$ 215,663		$ 204,865		$ 201,460		$ 197,163		$ 819,151
Investment securities
Taxable	40,971		36,421		36,243		34,401		148,036
Tax-exempt	2,363		2,195		2,233		2,204		8,995
Total investment securities interest	43,334		38,616		38,476		36,605		157,031
Other earning assets	6,334		6,773		5,964		6,651		25,722
Total interest income	265,331		250,254		245,900		240,419		1,001,904
Interest expense
Deposits	78,861		77,766		75,484		78,641		310,752
Short-term borrowings	4,925		5,979		6,393		7,545		24,842
Long-term borrowings	7,550		6,023		5,754		4,937		24,264
Total interest expense	91,336		89,768		87,631		91,123		359,858
Net interest income	173,995		160,486		158,269		149,296		642,046
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases	9,688		8,612		9,084		9,141		36,525
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments	412		453		718		(441)		1,142
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	163,895		151,421		148,467		140,596		604,379
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	8,308		7,829		7,766		7,463		31,366
Wealth management fees	9,288		7,351		7,787		8,137		32,563
Bankcard income	3,590		3,589		3,737		3,310		14,226
Client derivative fees	2,681		1,876		1,674		1,571		7,802
Foreign exchange income	22,696		16,666		13,760		12,544		65,666
Leasing business income	19,523		20,997		20,797		18,703		80,020
Net gains from sales of loans	7,041		6,835		6,687		4,322		24,885
Net gain (loss) on investment securities	(12,576)		(42)		243		(9,949)		(22,324)
Other	4,216		8,424		5,612		4,982		23,234
Total noninterest income	64,767		73,525		68,063		51,083		257,438
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	85,123		80,607		74,917		75,238		315,885
Net occupancy	6,315		6,003		5,845		6,019		24,182
Furniture and equipment	3,940		3,582		3,441		3,813		14,776
Data processing	10,465		9,591		9,020		8,759		37,835
Marketing	3,056		2,359		2,737		2,018		10,170
Professional services	6,231		2,314		3,549		2,739		14,833
Amortization of tax credit investments	800		112		111		112		1,135
FDIC assessments	2,923		2,611		2,611		3,059		11,204
Intangible amortization	3,927		2,359		2,358		2,359		11,003
Leasing business expense	13,837		13,911		13,155		12,802		53,705
Other	12,914		10,820		10,927		11,158		45,819
Total noninterest expenses	149,531		134,269		128,671		128,076		540,547
Income before income taxes	79,131		90,677		87,859		63,603		321,270
Income tax expense	16,738		18,754		17,863		12,310		65,665
Net income	$ 62,393		$ 71,923		$ 69,996		$ 51,293		$ 255,605
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$ 0.65		$ 0.76		$ 0.74		$ 0.54		$ 2.68
Net earnings per share - diluted	$ 0.64		$ 0.75		$ 0.73		$ 0.54		$ 2.66
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.25		$ 0.25		$ 0.24		$ 0.24		$ 0.98
Return on average assets	1.22 %		1.54 %		1.52 %		1.13 %		1.35 %
Return on average shareholders' equity	9.18 %		11.08 %		11.16 %		8.46 %		9.98 %
Interest income	$ 265,331		$ 250,254		$ 245,900		$ 240,419		$1,001,904
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,227		1,248		1,246		1,213		4,934
Interest income - tax equivalent	266,558		251,502		247,146		241,632		1,006,838
Interest expense	91,336		89,768		87,631		91,123		359,858
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$ 175,222		$ 161,734		$ 159,515		$ 150,509		$ 646,980
Net interest margin	3.96 %		3.99 %		4.01 %		3.84 %		3.95 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	3.98 %		4.02 %		4.05 %		3.88 %		3.98 %
Full-time equivalent employees	2,164		1,986		2,033		2,021
(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.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Sep. 30,		June 30,		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		Sep. 30,		% Change		% Change
	2026		2026		2026		2025		2025		Linked Qtr.		Comp Qtr.
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 176,102		$ 206,361		$ 170,641		$ 178,553		$ 174,659		(14.7) %		0.8 %
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	566,778		579,194		1,032,259		597,338		565,080		(2.1) %		0.3 %
Investment securities available-for-sale	4,635,304		4,733,713		4,953,023		3,971,932		3,422,595		(2.1) %		35.4 %
Investment securities held-to-maturity	38,321		46,067		49,631		58,545		71,595		(16.8) %		(46.5) %
Other investments	139,535		137,755		137,018		129,564		117,120		1.3 %		19.1 %
Loans held for sale	22,958		33,125		18,280		16,953		21,466		(30.7) %		7.0 %
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	4,948,380		4,842,347		4,693,786		4,632,241		3,838,630		2.2 %		28.9 %
Lease financing	678,423		659,328		649,645		638,527		596,734		2.9 %		13.7 %
Construction real estate	606,696		599,258		591,080		677,339		627,960		1.2 %		(3.4) %
Commercial real estate	4,542,568		4,548,887		4,473,468		4,384,556		4,048,370		(0.1) %		12.2 %
Residential real estate	1,806,123		1,805,044		1,831,338		1,832,184		1,494,464		0.1 %		20.9 %
Home equity	1,105,790		1,058,175		1,026,839		1,005,204		935,975		4.5 %		18.1 %
Installment	150,485		156,470		162,314		188,694		109,764		(3.8) %		37.1 %
Credit card	66,617		65,405		66,371		65,325		62,654		1.9 %		6.3 %
Total loans	13,905,082		13,734,914		13,494,841		13,424,070		11,714,551		1.2 %		18.7 %
Less:
Allowance for credit losses	(191,650)		(189,912)		(183,716)		(186,487)		(161,916)		0.9 %		18.4 %
Net loans	13,713,432		13,545,002		13,311,125		13,237,583		11,552,635		1.2 %		18.7 %
Premises and equipment	229,669		229,763		228,384		204,760		198,251		0.0 %		15.8 %
Operating leases	237,160		241,742		220,061		214,003		214,667		(1.9) %		10.5 %
Goodwill	1,099,936		1,099,936		1,099,543		1,099,524		1,007,656		0.0 %		9.2 %
Other intangibles	135,077		140,705		145,927		118,832		73,797		(4.0) %		83.0 %
Accrued interest and other assets	1,319,883		1,446,316		1,413,923		1,301,792		1,134,985		(8.7) %		16.3 %
Total Assets	$ 22,314,155		$ 22,439,679		$ 22,779,815		$ 21,129,379		$ 18,554,506		(0.6) %		20.3 %
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$ 3,820,903		$ 3,804,301		$ 3,658,155		$ 3,360,613		$ 2,983,132		0.4 %		28.1 %
Savings	6,408,902		6,423,986		6,460,546		5,973,532		5,029,097		(0.2) %		27.4 %
Time	3,636,887		3,650,043		3,817,268		3,622,227		3,293,707		(0.4) %		10.4 %
Total interest-bearing deposits	13,866,692		13,878,330		13,935,969		12,956,372		11,305,936		(0.1) %		22.6 %
Noninterest-bearing	3,831,099		3,704,899		3,982,753		3,465,470		3,127,512		3.4 %		22.5 %
Total deposits	17,697,791		17,583,229		17,918,722		16,421,842		14,433,448		0.7 %		22.6 %
FHLB short-term borrowings	575,000		570,000		550,000		675,000		550,000		0.9 %		4.5 %
Other	76,860		39,532		70,457		332		45,167		94.4 %		70.2 %
Total short-term borrowings	651,860		609,532		620,457		675,332		595,167		6.9 %		9.5 %
Long-term debt	364,925		382,550		380,176		514,052		221,823		(4.6) %		64.5 %
Total borrowed funds	1,016,785		992,082		1,000,633		1,189,384		816,990		2.5 %		24.5 %
Accrued interest and other liabilities	718,097		876,880		919,835		748,937		672,213		(18.1) %		6.8 %
Total Liabilities	19,432,673		19,452,191		19,839,190		18,360,163		15,922,651		(0.1) %		22.0 %
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	1,790,583		1,792,158		1,789,676		1,647,618		1,641,315		(0.1) %		9.1 %
Retained earnings	1,589,622		1,535,765		1,485,573		1,437,286		1,399,577		3.5 %		13.6 %
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(387,095)		(223,720)		(217,430)		(189,942)		(223,000)		73.0 %		73.6 %
Treasury stock, at cost	(111,628)		(116,715)		(117,194)		(125,746)		(186,037)		(4.4) %		(40.0) %
Total Shareholders' Equity	2,881,482		2,987,488		2,940,625		2,769,216		2,631,855		(3.5) %		9.5 %
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$ 22,314,155		$ 22,439,679		$ 22,779,815		$ 21,129,379		$ 18,554,506		(0.6) %		20.3 %

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,
	2026		2026		2026		2025		2025		2026		2025
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$ 183,151		$ 182,261		$ 227,115		$ 178,403		$ 165,210		$ 197,348		$ 168,108
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	499,575		605,647		596,094		647,347		610,074		566,752		589,546
Investment securities	4,925,893		5,079,730		4,769,261		3,988,846		3,552,014		4,925,535		3,481,357
Loans held for sale	33,515		32,458		451,139		32,425		26,366		170,841		20,594
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	4,863,566		4,723,431		4,771,066		4,310,399		3,890,886		4,786,360		3,853,411
Lease financing	662,208		646,520		630,204		617,518		592,510		646,428		586,267
Construction real estate	615,131		583,146		643,270		679,884		711,011		613,746		763,731
Commercial real estate	4,551,002		4,546,901		4,446,231		4,240,042		3,993,549		4,515,095		3,990,073
Residential real estate	1,791,576		1,812,228		1,834,467		1,717,439		1,489,942		1,812,600		1,483,760
Home equity	1,079,269		1,043,805		1,016,080		981,406		919,368		1,046,616		889,985
Installment	153,945		158,760		166,979		164,013		114,058		159,847		119,610
Credit card	71,685		71,790		68,888		69,141		68,375		70,798		67,411
Total loans	13,788,382		13,586,581		13,577,185		12,779,842		11,779,699		13,651,490		11,754,248
Less:
Allowance for credit losses	(192,456)		(186,331)		(200,745)		(179,275)		(162,417)		(193,147)		(159,613)
Net loans	13,595,926		13,400,250		13,376,440		12,600,567		11,617,282		13,458,343		11,594,635
Premises and equipment	230,932		230,343		230,154		202,956		199,167		230,479		198,858
Operating leases	237,488		234,460		215,318		211,091		217,404		229,170		211,801
Goodwill	1,099,934		1,099,742		1,099,543		1,069,781		1,007,656		1,099,741		1,007,656
Other intangibles	138,310		143,403		149,631		104,184		74,448		143,740		76,234
Accrued interest and other assets	1,376,388		1,383,145		1,345,026		1,220,939		1,096,567		1,368,301		1,103,344
Total Assets	$ 22,321,112		$ 22,391,439		$ 22,459,721		$ 20,256,539		$ 18,566,188		$ 22,390,250		$ 18,452,133
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$ 3,814,405		$ 3,762,177		$ 3,626,103		$ 3,276,425		$ 3,036,296		$ 3,734,918		$ 3,064,404
Savings	6,458,303		6,434,399		6,406,223		5,740,651		5,054,563		6,433,166		4,993,198
Time	3,669,146		3,678,808		3,868,224		3,504,872		3,296,789		3,737,997		3,192,928
Total interest-bearing deposits	13,941,854		13,875,384		13,900,550		12,521,948		11,387,648		13,906,081		11,250,530
Noninterest-bearing	3,797,339		3,811,391		3,745,002		3,436,709		3,124,277		3,784,769		3,119,587
Total deposits	17,739,193		17,686,775		17,645,552		15,958,657		14,511,925		17,690,850		14,370,117
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	46,803		3,351		16,278		2,283		12,434		22,256		6,461
FHLB short-term borrowings	357,140		508,931		538,084		444,511		497,092		467,389		527,445
Other	0		0		0		13,891		21,519		0		48,756
Total short-term borrowings	403,943		512,282		554,362		460,685		531,045		489,645		582,662
Long-term debt	375,039		379,354		457,799		387,965		292,301		403,761		328,438
Total borrowed funds	778,982		891,636		1,012,161		848,650		823,346		893,406		911,100
Accrued interest and other liabilities	839,667		861,791		854,423		753,651		655,714		851,906		654,241
Total Liabilities	19,357,842		19,440,202		19,512,136		17,560,958		15,990,985		19,436,162		15,935,458
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	1,792,381		1,790,690		1,795,255		1,644,923		1,639,986		1,792,765		1,639,591
Retained earnings	1,545,957		1,499,207		1,448,012		1,406,388		1,369,069		1,498,084		1,324,830
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(259,303)		(221,515)		(173,065)		(209,767)		(247,746)		(218,277)		(260,129)
Treasury stock, at cost	(115,765)		(117,145)		(122,617)		(145,963)		(186,106)		(118,484)		(187,617)
Total Shareholders' Equity	2,963,270		2,951,237		2,947,585		2,695,581		2,575,203		2,954,088		2,516,675
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$ 22,321,112		$ 22,391,439		$ 22,459,721		$ 20,256,539		$ 18,566,188		$ 22,390,250		$ 18,452,133

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
		Quarterly Averages																		Year-to-Date Averages
		September 30, 2026						June 30, 2026						September 30, 2025						September 30, 2026				September 30, 2025
		Balance		Interest		Yield		Balance		Interest		Yield		Balance		Interest		Yield		Balance		Yield		Balance		Yield
Earning assets
Investments:
Investment securities		$ 4,925,893		$ 56,056		4.51 %		$ 5,079,730		$ 56,376		4.45 %		$ 3,552,014		$ 38,616		4.31 %		$ 4,925,535		4.46 %		$ 3,481,357		4.37 %
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		499,575		4,514		3.58 %		605,647		5,381		3.56 %		610,074		6,773		4.40 %		566,752		3.62 %		589,546		4.40 %
Gross loans (1)		13,821,897		228,730		6.57 %		13,619,039		219,164		6.45 %		11,806,065		204,865		6.88 %		13,822,331		6.51 %		11,774,842		6.85 %
Total earning assets		19,247,365		289,300		5.96 %		19,304,416		280,921		5.84 %		15,968,153		250,254		6.22 %		19,314,618		5.90 %		15,845,745		6.21 %
Nonearning assets
Allowance for credit losses		(192,456)						(186,331)						(162,417)						(193,147)				(159,613)
Cash and due from banks		183,151						182,261						165,210						197,348				168,108
Accrued interest and other assets		3,083,052						3,091,093						2,595,242						3,071,431				2,597,893
Total assets		$22,321,112						$22,391,439						$18,566,188						$22,390,250				$18,452,133
Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand		$ 3,814,405		$ 15,985		1.66 %		$ 3,762,177		$ 14,288		1.52 %		$ 3,036,296		$ 14,592		1.91 %		$ 3,734,918		1.56 %		$ 3,064,404		1.92 %
Savings		6,458,303		34,149		2.10 %		6,434,399		33,405		2.08 %		5,054,563		30,854		2.42 %		6,433,166		2.08 %		4,993,198		2.44 %
Time		3,669,146		32,129		3.47 %		3,678,808		31,557		3.44 %		3,296,789		32,320		3.89 %		3,737,997		3.49 %		3,192,928		4.05 %
Total interest-bearing deposits		13,941,854		82,263		2.34 %		13,875,384		79,250		2.29 %		11,387,648		77,766		2.71 %		13,906,081		2.32 %		11,250,530		2.76 %
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings		403,943		4,070		4.00 %		512,282		4,997		3.91 %		531,045		5,979		4.47 %		489,645		3.89 %		582,662		4.57 %
Long-term debt		375,039		6,711		7.10 %		379,354		6,297		6.66 %		292,301		6,023		8.17 %		403,761		6.93 %		328,438		6.80 %
Total borrowed funds		778,982		10,781		5.49 %		891,636		11,294		5.08 %		823,346		12,002		5.78 %		893,406		5.26 %		911,100		5.38 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities		14,720,836		93,044		2.51 %		14,767,020		90,544		2.46 %		12,210,994		89,768		2.92 %		14,799,487		2.50 %		12,161,630		2.95 %
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits		3,797,339						3,811,391						3,124,277						3,784,769				3,119,587
Other liabilities		839,667						861,791						655,714						851,906				654,241
Shareholders' equity		2,963,270						2,951,237						2,575,203						2,954,088				2,516,675
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity		$22,321,112						$22,391,439						$18,566,188						$22,390,250				$18,452,133
Net interest income		$ 196,256						$ 190,377						$ 160,486						$ 576,243				$ 468,051
Net interest spread						3.45 %						3.38 %						3.30 %				3.40 %				3.26 %
Net interest margin						4.05 %						3.96 %						3.99 %				3.99 %				3.95 %
Tax equivalent adjustment						0.02 %						0.02 %						0.03 %				0.02 %				0.03 %
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)						4.07 %						3.98 %						4.02 %				4.01 %				3.98 %
(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

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		$ 802		$ (1,122)		$ (320)		$ 1,805		$ 15,635		$ 17,440		$ 2,535		$ 48,217		$ 50,752
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks		32		(899)		(867)		(1,261)		(998)		(2,259)		(3,426)		(617)		(4,043)
Gross loans (2)		3,759		5,807		9,566		(9,494)		33,359		23,865		(30,311)		99,668		69,357
Total earning assets		4,593		3,786		8,379		(8,950)		47,996		39,046		(31,202)		147,268		116,066
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits		$ 1,731		$ 1,282		$ 3,013		$ (10,574)		$ 15,071		$ 4,497		$ (36,713)		$ 46,070		$ 9,357
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings		108		(1,035)		(927)		(628)		(1,281)		(1,909)		(2,978)		(2,704)		(5,682)
Long-term debt		417		(3)		414		(793)		1,481		688		298		3,901		4,199
Total borrowed funds		525		(1,038)		(513)		(1,421)		200		(1,221)		(2,680)		1,197		(1,483)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,256		244		2,500		(11,995)		15,271		3,276		(39,393)		47,267		7,874
Net interest income (1)		$ 2,337		$ 3,542		$ 5,879		$ 3,045		$ 32,725		$ 35,770		$ 8,191		$ 100,001		$ 108,192
(1) Not tax equivalent.
(2) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CREDIT QUALITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended,										Nine months ended
	Sep. 30,		June 30,		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		Sep. 30,		Sep. 30,		Sep. 30,
	2026		2026		2026		2025		2025		2026		2025
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period	$ 189,912		$ 183,716		$ 186,487		$ 161,916		$ 158,522		$ 186,487		$ 156,791
Initial allowance on purchased loans	0		0		2,829		23,652		0		2,829		0
Provision for credit losses	8,975		12,933		6,030		9,688		8,612		27,938		26,837
Gross charge-offs
Commercial and industrial	984		2,437		10,788		6,636		2,165		14,209		15,339
Lease financing	976		1,314		43		918		298		2,333		2,358
Construction real estate	110		0		0		0		245		110		245
Commercial real estate	5,129		2,484		29		433		3,105		7,642		3,105
Residential real estate	11		84		127		151		0		222		16
Home equity	137		262		119		95		92		518		278
Installment	676		1,034		1,058		1,197		1,194		2,768		3,635
Credit card	520		704		496		729		577		1,720		1,540
Total gross charge-offs	8,543		8,319		12,660		10,159		7,676		29,522		26,516
Recoveries
Commercial and industrial	387		463		100		264		202		950		687
Lease financing	0		114		23		201		291		137		331
Construction real estate	0		0		0		0		0		0		0
Commercial real estate	8		8		28		5		1,138		44		1,232
Residential real estate	24		18		30		13		58		72		124
Home equity	60		157		116		117		94		333		312
Installment	688		660		598		682		609		1,946		1,888
Credit card	139		162		135		108		66		436		230
Total recoveries	1,306		1,582		1,030		1,390		2,458		3,918		4,804
Total net charge-offs	7,237		6,737		11,630		8,769		5,218		25,604		21,712
Ending allowance for credit losses	$ 191,650		$ 189,912		$ 183,716		$ 186,487		$ 161,916		$ 191,650		$ 161,916
NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
Commercial and industrial	0.05 %		0.17 %		0.91 %		0.59 %		0.20 %		0.37 %		0.51 %
Lease financing	0.58 %		0.74 %		0.01 %		0.46 %		0.00 %		0.45 %		0.46 %
Construction real estate	0.07 %		0.00 %		0.00 %		0.00 %		0.14 %		0.02 %		0.04 %
Commercial real estate	0.45 %		0.22 %		0.00 %		0.04 %		0.20 %		0.22 %		0.06 %
Residential real estate	0.00 %		0.01 %		0.02 %		0.03 %		(0.02) %		0.01 %		(0.01) %
Home equity	0.03 %		0.04 %		0.00 %		(0.01) %		0.00 %		0.02 %		(0.01) %
Installment	(0.03) %		0.94 %		1.12 %		1.25 %		2.03 %		0.69 %		1.95 %
Credit card	2.11 %		3.03 %		2.13 %		3.56 %		2.97 %		2.42 %		2.60 %
Total net charge-offs	0.21 %		0.20 %		0.35 %		0.27 %		0.18 %		0.25 %		0.25 %
COMPONENTS OF NONACCRUAL LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial and industrial	$ 21,127		$ 20,305		$ 22,576		$ 27,461		$ 23,832		$ 21,127		$ 23,832
Lease financing	1,459		7,558		5,857		5,660		5,885		1,459		5,885
Construction real estate	351		698		715		1,120		1,120		351		1,120
Commercial real estate	53,870		44,404		49,481		45,590		24,443		53,870		24,443
Residential real estate	18,358		18,260		17,439		18,302		16,452		18,358		16,452
Home equity	4,093		4,095		3,687		2,927		3,567		4,093		3,567
Installment	952		832		786		748		652		952		652
Total nonaccrual loans	100,210		96,152		100,541		101,808		75,951		100,210		75,951
Other real estate owned (OREO)	160		174		238		184		111		160		111
Total nonperforming assets	100,370		96,326		100,779		101,992		76,062		100,370		76,062
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	937		650		1,366		411		592		937		592
Total underperforming assets	$ 101,307		$ 96,976		$ 102,145		$ 102,403		$ 76,654		$ 101,307		$ 76,654
Total classified assets	$ 281,407		$ 226,826		$ 232,368		$ 235,451		$ 218,794		$ 281,407		$ 218,794
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for credit losses to
Nonaccrual loans	191.25 %		197.51 %		182.73 %		183.18 %		213.18 %		191.25 %		213.18 %
Total ending loans	1.38 %		1.38 %		1.36 %		1.39 %		1.38 %		1.38 %		1.38 %
Nonaccrual loans to total loans	0.72 %		0.70 %		0.75 %		0.76 %		0.65 %		0.72 %		0.65 %
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO	0.72 %		0.70 %		0.75 %		0.76 %		0.65 %		0.72 %		0.65 %
Total assets	0.45 %		0.43 %		0.44 %		0.48 %		0.41 %		0.45 %		0.41 %
Classified assets to total assets	1.26 %		1.01 %		1.02 %		1.11 %		1.18 %		1.26 %		1.18 %

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,
	2026		2026		2026		2025		2025		2026		2025
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
High	$ 36.18		$ 33.90		$ 31.16		$ 26.98		$ 26.79		$ 36.18		$ 29.04
Low	$ 31.22		$ 28.06		$ 25.09		$ 23.26		$ 23.55		$ 25.09		$ 22.05
Close	$ 31.32		$ 33.83		$ 27.88		$ 25.02		$ 25.25		$ 31.32		$ 25.25
Average shares outstanding - basic	103,962,646		103,938,322		103,705,269		96,724,148		94,889,341		103,869,688		94,799,411
Average shares outstanding - diluted	105,000,875		104,936,741		104,615,405		97,593,800		95,753,798		104,852,419		95,674,093
Ending shares outstanding	105,188,323		104,956,458		104,932,829		98,521,726		95,757,250		105,188,323		95,757,250
Total shareholders' equity	$ 2,881,482		$ 2,987,488		$ 2,940,625		$ 2,769,216		$ 2,631,855		$ 2,881,482		$ 2,631,855
REGULATORY CAPITAL	Preliminary										Preliminary
Common equity tier 1 capital	$ 2,093,397		$ 2,029,668		$ 1,970,561		$ 1,798,266		$ 1,828,843		$ 2,093,397		$ 1,828,843
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio	12.54 %		12.33 %		12.22 %		11.32 %		12.91 %		12.54 %		12.91 %
Tier 1 capital	$ 2,139,109		$ 2,075,286		$ 2,016,070		$ 1,843,672		$ 1,874,191		$ 2,139,109		$ 1,874,191
Tier 1 ratio	12.81 %		12.61 %		12.50 %		11.60 %		13.23 %		12.81 %		13.23 %
Total capital	$ 2,643,368		$ 2,591,169		$ 2,531,334		$ 2,457,377		$ 2,170,546		$ 2,643,368		$ 2,170,546
Total capital ratio	15.83 %		15.75 %		15.70 %		15.46 %		15.32 %		15.83 %		15.32 %
Total capital in excess of minimum requirement	$ 890,577		$ 863,256		$ 837,959		$ 788,889		$ 683,018		$ 890,577		$ 683,018
Total risk-weighted assets	$16,693,251		$16,456,311		$16,127,377		$15,890,363		$14,166,935		$16,693,251		$14,166,935
Leverage ratio	9.96 %		9.66 %		9.39 %		9.53 %		10.50 %		9.96 %		10.50 %
OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets	12.91 %		13.31 %		12.91 %		13.11 %		14.18 %		12.91 %		14.18 %
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets (1)	7.81 %		8.24 %		7.87 %		7.79 %		8.87 %		7.81 %		8.87 %
Average shareholders' equity to average assets	13.28 %		13.18 %		13.12 %		13.31 %		13.87 %		13.19 %		13.64 %
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets (1)	8.18 %		8.08 %		8.01 %		7.97 %		8.54 %		8.09 %		8.25 %
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

SOURCE First Financial Bancorp.