FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ - FORM 8-K - EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1

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EX-99.2 - EXHIBIT 99.2 - FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/	exh992earningsrelease4q1.htm
8-K - 8-K - FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/	a8kearningsrelease4q17.htm

EXHIBIT 99.1

First Financial Bancorp Announces Fourth Quarter and

Full Year 2017 Financial Results

Full Year Earnings per Diluted Share Increased 9% Compared to 2016

Cincinnati, Ohio - January 18, 2018 - First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial” or the “Company”) announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2017. For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company reported net income of $24.8 million, or $0.40 per diluted common share. These results compare to net income of $24.8 million, or $0.40 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2017 and $23.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2016. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, First Financial had earnings per diluted common share of $1.56 compared to $1.43 for the same period in 2016.

Return on average assets for the fourth quarter of 2017 was 1.13% while return on average tangible common equity was 13.85%. These compare to a return on average assets of 1.13% and return on average tangible common equity of 14.10% in the third quarter of 2017 and a return on average assets of 1.11% and a return on average tangible common equity of 14.19% in the fourth quarter of 2016. The return on average assets and tangible common equity were 1.12% and 14.07%, respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017.

Fourth quarter 2017 net income totaled $0.40 per share on a GAAP basis, in line with the prior quarter. Fourth quarter 2017 net income totaled $0.45 per share on an adjusted basis as detailed in the accompanying slide presentation, a 15% increase from the prior quarter.

Significant items impacting fourth quarter performance include:


•	Net interest margin increased 25 basis points to 3.75% on a GAAP basis, 3.82% on a fully tax equivalent basis


◦	Elevated loan fees, solid execution of recent deposit strategies and favorable shifts in earning asset and funding mix


•	Noninterest expense increased $28.5 million, or 52.3%, compared to the linked quarter, including:


◦	$11.3 million historic tax credit investment write-down


◦	$8.4 million of merger-related expenses


◦	$5.1 million impairment charge resulting from preliminary agreement to early terminate FDIC loss sharing agreements


◦	$3.0 million charitable contribution to the First Financial Foundation


•	Impact of the recent tax reform legislation and historic tax credits on income tax expense


•	Strong credit performance including lower net charge-offs, nonperforming loans and classified assets resulted in provision recapture of $0.2 million

Full detail of the Company’s fourth quarter and full year performance are provided in the accompanying financial statements and slide presentation.

Claude Davis, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Strong earnings, improved net interest margin, continued credit improvement and stable loan growth combined to produce fourth quarter adjusted earnings of $0.45 per share, representing our 109th consecutive quarter of profitability. The increase in net interest margin was driven by the combination of higher loan fees, improved earning asset mix and lower funding costs resulting from deposit strategies implemented during the third quarter."

"Fourth quarter results were also impacted by the recently enacted tax reform legislation, the preliminary agreement to early terminate our FDIC-loss sharing agreements and the realization of a significant historic tax credit. Additionally, we made a $3.0 million charitable contribution to the newly established First Financial Foundation during the period and continued to make steady progress in our integration efforts as we near our anticipated merger with MainSource Financial Group."

"We remain extremely excited about our pending merger with MainSource and the formation of a new First Financial with the necessary scale and reach to successfully execute our strategy, deliver exceptional client service and provide solid shareholder returns. Finally, I want to take the opportunity to thank our associates for their efforts in 2017. As the embodiment of our organizational values, the work they do every day adds great value in exceeding client expectations, serving our communities and driving First Financial's current and future success."

This release announcing our fourth quarter and full year 2017 financial results includes an accompanying slide presentation, which management intends to refer to during the conference call on Friday, January 19, 2018.

Teleconference / Webcast Information

First Financial’s executive management will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (877) 506-6873 (U.S. toll free), (855) 669-9657 (Canada toll free) or +1 (412) 380-2003 (International) (no passcode required). 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. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning one hour after the completion of the live call at (877) 344-7529 (U.S. toll free), (855) 669-9658 (Canada toll free) and +1 (412) 317-0088 (International); conference number 10115503. 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 and any non-GAAP reconciliations related to this release is available to the public through the Investor Relations section of First Financial's website at www.bankatfirst.com.

About First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $8.9 billion in assets, $6.0 billion in loans, $6.9 billion in deposits and $930.7 million in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its four lines of business: Commercial and Private Banking, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate and Commercial Finance. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Commercial and Private Banking includes First Financial Wealth Management, which provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $2.7 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2017. The Company’s primary operating markets are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky where it operates 94 banking centers, 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.

Forward-Looking Statement

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. Such statements include, but are not limited to, certain plans, expectations, goals, projections and benefits relating to the transaction between the Company and MainSource, which are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. 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 the 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: (i) economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with the Company’s business; (ii) 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; (iii) management’s ability to effectively execute its business plans; (iv) mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies; (v) the Company’s ability to comply with the terms of loss sharing agreements with the FDIC; (vi) the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices; (vii) changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving and changes in unemployment; (viii) changes in customers’ performance and creditworthiness; and (ix) the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation. Additional factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements can be found in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as well as its other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

Statements concerning the potential merger of the Company and MainSource may also be forward-looking statements. Please refer to each of the Company’s and MainSource’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as well as their other filings with the SEC, for a more detailed discussion of risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.

In addition to factors previously disclosed in reports filed by the Company and MainSource with the SEC, risks and uncertainties for the Company, MainSource and the combined company include, but are not limited to: the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the proposed Merger will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; the risk that integration of MainSource's operations with those of the Company will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; the inability to close the Merger in a timely manner; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the , including receipt of required regulatory and other approvals; the failure of the proposed Merger to close for any other reason; the challenges of integrating and retaining key employees; the effect of the announcement of the Merger on the Company’s, MainSource’s or the combined company's respective customer relationships and operating results; the possibility that the Merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; and general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations. 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, neither the Company nor MainSource assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

Contact Information

Investors/Analysts Media

John Gavigan Lynda Crossan

Chief Financial Officer Marketing Director

(513) 887-5400 (513) 979-5817

InvestorRelations@bankatfirst.com Lynda.Crossan@bankatfirst.com

Selected Financial Information

December 31, 2017

(unaudited)



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



FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended,															Twelve months ended,
	Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Dec. 31,
	2017			2017			2017			2017			2016			2017			2016
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income	$	24,811		$	24,826		$	22,736		$	24,414		$	23,294		$	96,787		$	88,526
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.40		$	0.40		$	0.37		$	0.40		$	0.38		$	1.57		$	1.45
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.40		$	0.40		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.38		$	1.56		$	1.43
Dividends declared per share	$	0.17		$	0.17		$	0.17		$	0.17		$	0.16		$	0.68		$	0.64

KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets	1.13		%	1.13		%	1.06		%	1.18		%	1.11		%	1.12		%	1.07		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.70		%	10.85		%	10.25		%	11.36		%	10.73		%	10.78		%	10.48		%
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity	13.85		%	14.10		%	13.42		%	14.98		%	14.19		%	14.07		%	13.96		%

Net interest margin	3.75		%	3.50		%	3.50		%	3.63		%	3.66		%	3.59		%	3.62		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) ⁽¹⁾	3.82		%	3.57		%	3.56		%	3.70		%	3.71		%	3.66		%	3.68		%

Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets	10.46		%	10.44		%	10.31		%	10.32		%	10.25		%	10.46		%	10.25		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets	8.30		%	8.25		%	8.09		%	8.05		%	7.96		%	8.30		%	7.96		%
Risk-weighted assets	10.11		%	9.95		%	9.92		%	9.90		%	9.73		%	10.11		%	9.73		%

Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets	10.54		%	10.42		%	10.36		%	10.36		%	10.33		%	10.42		%	10.24		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of
average tangible assets	8.34		%	8.21		%	8.12		%	8.06		%	8.01		%	8.19		%	7.89		%

Book value per share	$	14.99		$	14.74		$	14.45		$	14.16		$	13.96		$	14.99		$	13.96
Tangible book value per share	$	11.62		$	11.36		$	11.07		$	10.78		$	10.56		$	11.62		$	10.56

Common equity tier 1 ratio ⁽²⁾	10.59		%	10.53		%	10.54		%	10.59		%	10.46		%	10.59		%	10.46		%
Tier 1 ratio ⁽²⁾	10.59		%	10.53		%	10.54		%	10.59		%	10.46		%	10.59		%	10.46		%
Total capital ratio ⁽²⁾	13.02		%	12.98		%	13.05		%	13.19		%	13.10		%	13.02		%	13.10		%
Leverage ratio ⁽²⁾	8.84		%	8.74		%	8.69		%	8.69		%	8.60		%	8.84		%	8.60		%

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans ⁽³⁾	$	5,952,290		$	5,902,053		$	5,789,610		$	5,736,513		$	5,780,865		$	5,845,863		$	5,628,617
FDIC indemnification asset	7,413			8,932			10,327			11,520			12,782			9,535			14,831
Investment securities	2,020,040			2,041,785			2,035,334			1,906,699			1,816,944			2,001,387			1,858,878
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	25,357			37,199			20,293			40,985			19,557			30,933			21,907
Total earning assets	$	8,005,100		$	7,989,969		$	7,855,564		$	7,695,717		$	7,630,148		$	7,887,718		$	7,524,233
Total assets	$	8,731,956		$	8,716,917		$	8,582,961		$	8,409,071		$	8,359,912		$	8,611,403		$	8,251,703
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	1,637,228		$	1,510,032		$	1,513,995		$	1,499,097		$	1,544,598		$	1,540,384		$	1,456,802
Interest-bearing deposits	5,202,412			5,170,365			5,056,223			4,942,766			5,012,613			5,093,865			4,844,243
Total deposits	$	6,839,640		$	6,680,397		$	6,570,218		$	6,441,863		$	6,557,211		$	6,634,249		$	6,301,045
Borrowings	$	842,211		$	999,818		$	995,132		$	968,326		$	815,928		$	951,159		$	1,000,079
Shareholders' equity	$	920,194		$	908,057		$	889,604		$	871,215		$	863,509		$	897,431		$	844,784

CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans	0.90		%	0.91		%	0.93		%	0.98		%	1.01		%	0.90		%	1.01		%
Allowance to nonaccrual loans	224.32		%	181.07		%	150.05		%	169.85		%	326.91		%	224.32		%	326.91		%
Allowance to nonperforming loans	129.77		%	109.48		%	96.77		%	89.25		%	120.83		%	129.77		%	120.83		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	0.69		%	0.83		%	0.97		%	1.10		%	0.83		%	0.69		%	0.83		%
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO	0.74		%	0.89		%	1.07		%	1.19		%	0.94		%	0.74		%	0.94		%
Nonperforming assets to total assets	0.50		%	0.60		%	0.72		%	0.80		%	0.64		%	0.50		%	0.64		%
Classified assets to total assets	0.98		%	1.08		%	1.13		%	1.34		%	1.48		%	0.98		%	1.48		%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)	0.02		%	0.22		%	0.13		%	0.14		%	0.17		%	0.13		%	0.10		%

(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 35% 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.

(2) December 31, 2017 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.

(3) Includes loans held for sale.



FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

	Three months ended,								Twelve months ended,
	Dec. 31,								Dec. 31,
	2017			2016			% Change		2017			2016			% Change
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$	74,347		$	67,883		9.5	%	$	280,111		$	262,703		6.6	%
Investment securities
Taxable	13,212			10,698			23.5	%	50,568			43,103			17.3	%
Tax-exempt	1,571			1,134			38.5	%	5,918			4,535			30.5	%
Total investment securities interest	14,783			11,832			24.9	%	56,486			47,638			18.6	%
Other earning assets	(592		)	(1,068		)	44.6	%	(3,524		)	(4,391		)	19.7	%
Total interest income	88,538			78,647			12.6	%	333,073			305,950			8.9	%

Interest expense
Deposits	9,243			6,026			53.4	%	35,182			22,613			55.6	%
Short-term borrowings	2,144			915			134.3	%	8,193			4,506			81.8	%
Long-term borrowings	1,537			1,540			(0.2	)%	6,153			6,160			(0.1	)%
Total interest expense	12,924			8,481			52.4	%	49,528			33,279			48.8	%
Net interest income	75,614			70,166			7.8	%	283,545			272,671			4.0	%
Provision for loan and lease losses	(205		)	2,761			(107.4	)%	3,582			10,140			(64.7	)%
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	75,819			67,405			12.5	%	279,963			262,531			6.6	%

Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	5,190			5,041			3.0	%	19,775			18,933			4.4	%
Trust and wealth management fees	3,597			3,241			11.0	%	14,073			13,200			6.6	%
Bankcard income	3,390			3,136			8.1	%	13,298			12,132			9.6	%
Client derivative fees	2,047			466			339.3	%	6,418			4,570			40.4	%
Net gains from sales of loans	1,171			1,711			(31.6	)%	5,169			6,804			(24.0	)%
Net gains on sale of investment securities	19			0			N/M		1,649			234			N/M
Other	2,968			3,351			(11.4	)%	15,760			13,728			14.8	%
Total noninterest income	18,382			16,946			8.5	%	76,142			69,601			9.4	%

Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	35,439			31,127			13.9	%	132,560			122,361			8.3	%
Net occupancy	4,252			4,338			(2.0	)%	17,397			18,329			(5.1	)%
Furniture and equipment	1,969			2,181			(9.7	)%	8,443			8,663			(2.5	)%
Data processing	3,768			3,095			21.7	%	14,022			11,406			22.9	%
Marketing	1,060			1,458			(27.3	)%	3,201			3,965			(19.3	)%
Communication	474			404			17.3	%	1,819			1,889			(3.7	)%
Professional services	9,766			1,731			464.2	%	15,023			6,303			138.3	%
State intangible tax	492			117			320.5	%	2,655			2,034			30.5	%
FDIC assessments	943			1,001			(5.8	)%	3,944			4,293			(8.1	)%
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	219			(953		)	(123.0	)%	642			(1,212		)	(153.0	)%
Other	24,516			5,664			332.8	%	40,236			23,370			72.2	%
Total noninterest expenses	82,898			50,163			65.3	%	239,942			201,401			19.1	%
Income before income taxes	11,303			34,188			(66.9	)%	116,163			130,731			(11.1	)%
Income tax expense	(13,508		)	10,894			(224.0	)%	19,376			42,205			(54.1	)%
Net income	$	24,811		$	23,294		6.5	%	$	96,787		$	88,526		9.3	%

ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.40		$	0.38				$	1.57		$	1.45
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.40		$	0.38				$	1.56		$	1.43
Dividends declared per share	$	0.17		$	0.16				$	0.68		$	0.64

Return on average assets	1.13		%	1.11		%			1.12		%	1.07		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.70		%	10.73		%			10.78		%	10.48		%

Interest income	$	88,538		$	78,647		12.6	%	$	333,073		$	305,950		8.9	%
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,387			1,077			28.8	%	5,259			4,215			24.8	%
Interest income - tax equivalent	89,925			79,724			12.8	%	338,332			310,165			9.1	%
Interest expense	12,924			8,481			52.4	%	49,528			33,279			48.8	%
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	77,001		$	71,243		8.1	%	$	288,804		$	276,886		4.3	%

Net interest margin	3.75		%	3.66		%			3.59		%	3.62		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) ⁽¹⁾	3.82		%	3.71		%			3.66		%	3.68		%

Full-time equivalent employees	1,304			1,420

(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 35% 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.
N/M = Not meaningful.



FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

	2017
	Fourth			Third			Second			First			Full			% Change
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year			Linked Qtr.
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$	74,347		$	71,148		$	67,748		$	66,868		$	280,111		4.5	%
Investment securities
Taxable	13,212			13,150			12,598			11,608			50,568			0.5	%
Tax-exempt	1,571			1,537			1,457			1,353			5,918			2.2	%
Total investment securities interest	14,783			14,687			14,055			12,961			56,486			0.7	%
Other earning assets	(592		)	(917		)	(1,014		)	(1,001		)	(3,524		)	35.4	%
Total interest income	88,538			84,918			80,789			78,828			333,073			4.3	%

Interest expense
Deposits	9,243			10,335			8,679			6,925			35,182			(10.6	)%
Short-term borrowings	2,144			2,566			2,051			1,432			8,193			(16.4	)%
Long-term borrowings	1,537			1,538			1,539			1,539			6,153			(0.1	)%
Total interest expense	12,924			14,439			12,269			9,896			49,528			(10.5	)%
Net interest income	75,614			70,479			68,520			68,932			283,545			7.3	%
Provision for loan and lease losses	(205		)	2,953			467			367			3,582			(106.9	)%
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	75,819			67,526			68,053			68,565			279,963			12.3	%

Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	5,190			5,169			4,772			4,644			19,775			0.4	%
Trust and wealth management fees	3,597			3,324			3,405			3,747			14,073			8.2	%
Bankcard income	3,390			3,272			3,501			3,135			13,298			3.6	%
Client derivative fees	2,047			1,779			1,489			1,103			6,418			15.1	%
Net gains from sales of loans	1,171			1,455			1,327			1,216			5,169			(19.5	)%
Net gains on sale of investment securities	19			276			838			516			1,649			(93.1	)%
Other	2,968			7,667			2,122			3,003			15,760			(61.3	)%
Total noninterest income	18,382			22,942			17,454			17,364			76,142			(19.9	)%

Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	35,439			33,827			31,544			31,750			132,560			4.8	%
Net occupancy	4,252			4,328			4,302			4,515			17,397			(1.8	)%
Furniture and equipment	1,969			2,161			2,136			2,177			8,443			(8.9	)%
Data processing	3,768			3,455			3,501			3,298			14,022			9.1	%
Marketing	1,060			649			982			510			3,201			63.3	%
Communication	474			430			468			447			1,819			10.2	%
Professional services	9,766			2,030			1,469			1,758			15,023			N/M
State intangible tax	492			721			721			721			2,655			(31.8	)%
FDIC assessments	943			1,051			1,018			932			3,944			(10.3	)%
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	219			237			162			24			642			(7.6	)%
Other	24,516			5,554			5,253			4,913			40,236			N/M
Total noninterest expenses	82,898			54,443			51,556			51,045			239,942			52.3	%
Income before income taxes	11,303			36,025			33,951			34,884			116,163			(68.6	)%
Income tax expense	(13,508		)	11,199			11,215			10,470			19,376			N/M
Net income	$	24,811		$	24,826		$	22,736		$	24,414		$	96,787		(0.1	)%

ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.40		$	0.40		$	0.37		$	0.40		$	1.57
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.40		$	0.40		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	1.56
Dividends declared per share	$	0.17		$	0.17		$	0.17		$	0.17		$	0.68

Return on average assets	1.13		%	1.13		%	1.06		%	1.18		%	1.12		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.70		%	10.85		%	10.25		%	11.36		%	10.78		%

Interest income	$	88,538		$	84,918		$	80,789		$	78,828		$	333,073		4.3	%
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,387			1,353			1,294			1,225			5,259			2.5	%
Interest income - tax equivalent	89,925			86,271			82,083			80,053			338,332			4.2	%
Interest expense	12,924			14,439			12,269			9,896			49,528			(10.5	)%
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	77,001		$	71,832		$	69,814		$	70,157		$	288,804		7.2	%

Net interest margin	3.75		%	3.50		%	3.50		%	3.63		%	3.59		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)⁽¹⁾	3.82		%	3.57		%	3.56		%	3.70		%	3.66		%

Full-time equivalent employees	1,304			1,363			1,429			1,424

(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 35% 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.
N/M = Not meaningful.



FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

	2016
	Fourth			Third			Second			First			Full
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$	67,883		$	66,997		$	64,424		$	63,399		$	262,703
Investment securities
Taxable	10,698			10,326			10,706			11,373			43,103
Tax-exempt	1,134			1,083			1,156			1,162			4,535
Total investment securities interest	11,832			11,409			11,862			12,535			47,638
Other earning assets	(1,068		)	(1,081		)	(1,103		)	(1,139		)	(4,391		)
Total interest income	78,647			77,325			75,183			74,795			305,950

Interest expense
Deposits	6,026			5,600			5,457			5,530			22,613
Short-term borrowings	915			1,368			1,053			1,170			4,506
Long-term borrowings	1,540			1,539			1,541			1,540			6,160
Total interest expense	8,481			8,507			8,051			8,240			33,279
Net interest income	70,166			68,818			67,132			66,555			272,671
Provision for loan and lease losses	2,761			1,687			4,037			1,655			10,140
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	67,405			67,131			63,095			64,900			262,531

Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	5,041			5,056			4,455			4,381			18,933
Trust and wealth management fees	3,241			3,236			3,283			3,440			13,200
Bankcard income	3,136			2,984			3,130			2,882			12,132
Client derivative fees	466			1,210			1,799			1,095			4,570
Net gains from sales of loans	1,711			2,066			1,846			1,181			6,804
Net gains on sale of investment securities	0			398			(188		)	24			234
Other	3,351			1,999			5,869			2,509			13,728
Total noninterest income	16,946			16,949			20,194			15,512			69,601

Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	31,127			32,093			29,526			29,615			122,361
Net occupancy	4,338			4,543			4,491			4,957			18,329
Furniture and equipment	2,181			2,139			2,130			2,213			8,663
Data processing	3,095			2,828			2,765			2,718			11,406
Marketing	1,458			641			801			1,065			3,965
Communication	404			527			477			481			1,889
Professional services	1,731			1,460			1,299			1,813			6,303
State intangible tax	117			639			639			639			2,034
FDIC assessments	1,001			1,048			1,112			1,132			4,293
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	(953		)	(112		)	43			(190		)	(1,212		)
Other	5,664			5,299			6,130			6,277			23,370
Total noninterest expenses	50,163			51,105			49,413			50,720			201,401
Income before income taxes	34,188			32,975			33,876			29,692			130,731
Income tax expense	10,894			10,125			11,308			9,878			42,205
Net income	$	23,294		$	22,850		$	22,568		$	19,814		$	88,526

ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.38		$	0.37		$	0.37		$	0.32		$	1.45
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.38		$	0.37		$	0.36		$	0.32		$	1.43
Dividends declared per share	$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.64

Return on average assets	1.11		%	1.09		%	1.11		%	0.98		%	1.07		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.73		%	10.62		%	10.84		%	9.70		%	10.48		%

Interest income	$	78,647		$	77,325		$	75,183		$	74,795		$	305,950
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,077			1,028			1,058			1,052			4,215
Interest income - tax equivalent	79,724			78,353			76,241			75,847			310,165
Interest expense	8,481			8,507			8,051			8,240			33,279
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	71,243		$	69,846		$	68,190		$	67,607		$	276,886

Net interest margin	3.66		%	3.61		%	3.61		%	3.62		%	3.62		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)⁽¹⁾	3.71		%	3.66		%	3.67		%	3.68		%	3.68		%

Full-time equivalent employees	1,420			1,402			1,403			1,390

(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 35% 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)

	Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			% Change		% Change
	2017			2017			2017			2017			2016			Linked Qtr.		Comparable Qtr.
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	150,650		$	117,840		$	117,478		$	117,914		$	121,598		27.8	%	23.9	%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	33,974			34,787			29,839			39,058			82,450			(2.3	)%	(58.8	)%
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,349,408			1,286,770			1,298,578			1,220,046			1,039,870			4.9	%	29.8	%
Investment securities held-to-maturity	654,008			669,816			696,269			730,796			763,254			(2.4	)%	(14.3	)%
Other investments	53,140			53,198			53,285			50,996			51,077			(0.1	)%	4.0	%
Loans held for sale	11,502			16,466			11,939			7,657			13,135			(30.1	)%	(12.4	)%
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	1,912,743			1,886,093			1,824,589			1,779,635			1,781,948			1.4	%	7.3	%
Lease financing	89,347			86,014			88,152			88,888			93,108			3.9	%	(4.0	)%
Construction real estate	467,730			420,941			443,112			446,332			399,434			11.1	%	17.1	%
Commercial real estate	2,490,091			2,523,387			2,471,655			2,398,235			2,427,577			(1.3	)%	2.6	%
Residential real estate	471,391			477,964			490,398			486,601			500,980			(1.4	)%	(5.9	)%
Home equity	493,604			494,342			464,066			458,974			460,388			(0.1	)%	7.2	%
Installment	41,586			43,650			47,654			52,063			50,639			(4.7	)%	(17.9	)%
Credit card	46,691			44,646			44,139			43,354			43,408			4.6	%	7.6	%
Total loans	6,013,183			5,977,037			5,873,765			5,754,082			5,757,482			0.6	%	4.4	%
Less:
Allowance for loan and lease losses	54,021			54,534			54,873			56,326			57,961			(0.9	)%	(6.8	)%
Net loans	5,959,162			5,922,503			5,818,892			5,697,756			5,699,521			0.6	%	4.6	%
Premises and equipment	125,036			126,790			128,956			131,808			131,579			(1.4	)%	(5.0	)%
Goodwill and other intangibles	209,379			209,730			210,045			210,324			210,625			(0.2	)%	(0.6	)%
Accrued interest and other assets	350,664			323,789			344,761			324,815			324,858			8.3	%	7.9	%
Total Assets	$	8,896,923		$	8,761,689		$	8,710,042		$	8,531,170		$	8,437,967		1.5	%	5.4	%

LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,453,463		$	1,518,011		$	1,496,173		$	1,494,892		$	1,513,771		(4.3	)%	(4.0	)%
Savings	2,462,420			2,434,086			2,398,262			2,284,821			2,142,189			1.2	%	14.9	%
Time	1,317,105			1,188,597			1,097,911			1,202,563			1,321,843			10.8	%	(0.4	)%
Total interest-bearing deposits	5,232,988			5,140,694			4,992,346			4,982,276			4,977,803			1.8	%	5.1	%
Noninterest-bearing	1,662,058			1,585,396			1,476,563			1,547,600			1,547,985			4.8	%	7.4	%
Total deposits	6,895,046			6,726,090			6,468,909			6,529,876			6,525,788			2.5	%	5.7	%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	72,265			45,532			130,633			52,484			120,212			58.7	%	(39.9	)%
FHLB short-term borrowings	742,300			818,200			957,700			806,700			687,700			(9.3	)%	7.9	%
Total short-term borrowings	814,565			863,732			1,088,333			859,184			807,912			(5.7	)%	0.8	%
Long-term debt	119,654			119,615			119,669			119,629			119,589			0.0	%	0.1	%
Total borrowed funds	934,219			983,347			1,208,002			978,813			927,501			(5.0	)%	0.7	%
Accrued interest and other liabilities	136,994			137,298			135,014			142,416			119,454			(0.2	)%	14.7	%
Total Liabilities	7,966,259			7,846,735			7,811,925			7,651,105			7,572,743			1.5	%	5.2	%

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	573,109			571,750			569,302			567,911			570,382			0.2	%	0.5	%
Retained earnings	491,847			477,588			463,250			451,073			437,188			3.0	%	12.5	%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(20,390		)	(20,379		)	(22,222		)	(26,639		)	(28,443		)	0.1	%	(28.3	)%
Treasury stock, at cost	(113,902		)	(114,005		)	(112,213		)	(112,280		)	(113,903		)	(0.1	)%	0.0	%
Total Shareholders' Equity	930,664			914,954			898,117			880,065			865,224			1.7	%	7.6	%
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	8,896,923		$	8,761,689		$	8,710,042		$	8,531,170		$	8,437,967		1.5	%	5.4	%



FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

	Quarterly Averages															Year-to-Date Averages
	Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			December 31,
	2017			2017			2017			2017			2016			2017			2016
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	121,792		$	111,984		$	116,123		$	115,719		$	122,130		$	116,409		$	119,444
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	25,357			37,199			20,293			40,985			19,557			30,933			21,907
Investment securities	2,020,040			2,041,785			2,035,334			1,906,699			1,816,944			2,001,387			1,858,878
Loans held for sale	12,572			12,705			9,243			8,125			14,729			10,679			12,725
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	1,857,546			1,843,677			1,778,523			1,782,829			1,767,570			1,815,925			1,741,084
Lease financing	84,635			85,649			86,880			89,549			93,817			86,662			96,337
Construction real estate	449,195			408,373			447,716			414,038			376,616			429,868			357,171
Commercial real estate	2,487,149			2,497,170			2,418,355			2,390,004			2,470,280			2,448,570			2,359,480
Residential real estate	477,454			489,508			490,709			497,412			503,711			488,718			508,929
Home equity	494,804			473,988			462,431			459,821			461,177			472,860			465,025
Installment	42,283			45,911			51,275			50,722			49,071			47,520			45,673
Credit card	46,652			45,072			44,478			44,013			43,894			45,061			42,193
Total loans	5,939,718			5,889,348			5,780,367			5,728,388			5,766,136			5,835,184			5,615,892
Less:
Allowance for loan and lease losses	55,279			55,326			57,379			58,461			58,733			56,599			56,860
Net loans	5,884,439			5,834,022			5,722,988			5,669,927			5,707,403			5,778,585			5,559,032
Premises and equipment	126,310			128,539			131,654			132,384			132,414			129,702			135,505
Goodwill and other intangibles	209,571			209,933			210,215			210,513			210,768			210,055			211,215
Accrued interest and other assets	331,875			340,750			337,111			324,719			335,967			333,653			332,997
Total Assets	$	8,731,956		$	8,716,917		$	8,582,961		$	8,409,071		$	8,359,912		$	8,611,403		$	8,251,703

LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,502,245		$	1,494,367		$	1,483,186		$	1,484,427		$	1,540,755		$	1,491,114		$	1,465,804
Savings	2,518,771			2,494,592			2,408,950			2,224,708			2,093,557			2,412,788			2,022,564
Time	1,181,396			1,181,406			1,164,087			1,233,631			1,378,301			1,189,963			1,355,875
Total interest-bearing deposits	5,202,412			5,170,365			5,056,223			4,942,766			5,012,613			5,093,865			4,844,243
Noninterest-bearing	1,637,228			1,510,032			1,513,995			1,499,097			1,544,598			1,540,384			1,456,802
Total deposits	6,839,640			6,680,397			6,570,218			6,441,863			6,557,211			6,634,249			6,301,045
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	57,131			71,315			62,893			88,048			93,452			69,766			89,157
FHLB short-term borrowings	660,859			808,842			812,588			760,673			602,720			760,599			791,300
Total short-term borrowings	717,990			880,157			875,481			848,721			696,172			830,365			880,457
Long-term debt	124,221			119,661			119,651			119,605			119,756			120,794			119,622
Total borrowed funds	842,211			999,818			995,132			968,326			815,928			951,159			1,000,079
Accrued interest and other liabilities	129,911			128,645			128,007			127,667			123,264			128,564			105,795
Total Liabilities	7,811,762			7,808,860			7,693,357			7,537,856			7,496,403			7,713,972			7,406,919

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	572,392			570,216			568,654			570,058			569,779			570,336			569,055
Retained earnings	483,554			470,591			456,648			442,104			430,402			463,358			413,277
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(21,740		)	(19,940		)	(23,414		)	(27,569		)	(22,436		)	(23,141		)	(22,040		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(114,012		)	(112,810		)	(112,284		)	(113,378		)	(114,236		)	(113,122		)	(115,508		)
Total Shareholders' Equity	920,194			908,057			889,604			871,215			863,509			897,431			844,784
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	8,731,956		$	8,716,917		$	8,582,961		$	8,409,071		$	8,359,912		$	8,611,403		$	8,251,703



FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

	Quarterly Averages															Year-to-Date Averages
	December 31, 2017					September 30, 2017					December 31, 2016					December 31, 2017					December 31, 2016
	Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield
Earning assets
Investments:
Investment securities	$	2,020,040		2.90	%	$	2,041,785		2.85	%	$	1,816,944		2.58	%	$	2,001,387		2.82	%	$	1,858,878		2.56	%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	25,357			1.41	%	37,199			1.28	%	19,557			0.59	%	30,933			1.12	%	21,907			(4.81	)%
Gross loans ⁽¹⁾	5,959,703			4.90	%	5,910,985			4.71	%	5,793,647			4.57	%	5,855,398			4.72	%	5,643,448			4.60	%
Total earning assets	8,005,100			4.39	%	7,989,969			4.22	%	7,630,148			4.09	%	7,887,718			4.22	%	7,524,233			4.07	%

Nonearning assets
Allowance for loan and lease losses	(55,279		)			(55,326		)			(58,733		)			(56,599		)			(56,860		)
Cash and due from banks	121,792					111,984					122,130					116,409					119,444
Accrued interest and other assets	660,343					670,290					666,367					663,875					664,886
Total assets	$	8,731,956				$	8,716,917				$	8,359,912				$	8,611,403				$	8,251,703

Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,502,245		0.34	%	$	1,494,367		0.33	%	$	1,540,755		0.14	%	$	1,491,114		0.28	%	$	1,465,804		0.14	%
Savings	2,518,771			0.63	%	2,494,592			0.82	%	2,093,557			0.31	%	2,412,788			0.66	%	2,022,564			0.27	%
Time	1,181,396			1.33	%	1,181,406			1.32	%	1,378,301			1.11	%	1,189,963			1.26	%	1,355,875			1.10	%
Total interest-bearing deposits	5,202,412			0.70	%	5,170,365			0.79	%	5,012,613			0.48	%	5,093,865			0.69	%	4,844,243			0.47	%
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	717,990			1.18	%	880,157			1.16	%	696,172			0.52	%	830,365			0.99	%	880,457			0.51	%
Long-term debt	124,221			4.91	%	119,661			5.10	%	119,756			5.10	%	120,794			5.09	%	119,622			5.15	%
Total borrowed funds	842,211			1.73	%	999,818			1.63	%	815,928			1.19	%	951,159			1.51	%	1,000,079			1.07	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	6,044,623			0.85	%	6,170,183			0.93	%	5,828,541			0.58	%	6,045,024			0.82	%	5,844,322			0.57	%

Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	1,637,228					1,510,032					1,544,598					1,540,384					1,456,802
Other liabilities	129,911					128,645					123,264					128,564					105,795
Shareholders' equity	920,194					908,057					863,509					897,431					844,784
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity	$	8,731,956				$	8,716,917				$	8,359,912				$	8,611,403				$	8,251,703

Net interest income	$	75,614				$	70,479				$	70,166				$	283,545				$	272,671
Net interest spread				3.54	%				3.29	%				3.51	%				3.40	%				3.50	%
Net interest margin				3.75	%				3.50	%				3.66	%				3.59	%				3.62	%

Tax equivalent adjustment				0.07	%				0.07	%				0.05	%				0.07	%				0.06	%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)				3.82	%				3.57	%				3.71	%				3.66	%				3.68	%


⁽¹⁾ Loans held for sale, nonaccrual loans, covered loans, and indemnification asset 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	$	255		$	(159	)	$	96		$	1,465		$	1,486	$	2,951		$	4,826		$	4,022		$	8,848
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	12			(42		)	(30		)	40			21		61			1,299			101			1,400
Gross loans ⁽²⁾	2,952			602			3,554			4,826			2,053		6,879			6,876			9,999			16,875
Total earning assets	3,219			401			3,620			6,331			3,560		9,891			13,001			14,122			27,123

Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits	$	(1,149	)	$	57		$	(1,092	)	$	2,880		$	337	$	3,217		$	10,845		$	1,724		$	12,569
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	62			(484		)	(422		)	1,164			65		1,229			4,181			(494		)	3,687
Long-term debt	(57		)	56			(1		)	(58		)	55		(3		)	(67		)	60			(7		)
Total borrowed funds	5			(428		)	(423		)	1,106			120		1,226			4,114			(434		)	3,680
Total interest-bearing liabilities	(1,144		)	(371		)	(1,515		)	3,986			457		4,443			14,959			1,290			16,249
Net interest income ⁽¹⁾	$	4,363		$	772		$	5,135		$	2,345		$	3,103	$	5,448		$	(1,958	)	$	12,832		$	10,874


⁽¹⁾ Not tax equivalent.
⁽²⁾ Loans held for sale, nonaccrual loans, covered loans, and indemnification asset are included in gross loans.



FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CREDIT QUALITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)


	Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Full Year			Full Year
	2017			2017			2017			2017			2016			2017			2016
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period	$	54,534		$	54,873		$	56,326		$	57,961		$	57,618		$	57,961		$	53,398
Provision for loan and lease losses	(205		)	2,953			467			367			2,761			3,582			10,140
Gross charge-offs
Commercial and industrial	1,264			4,122			3,065			1,743			1,590			10,194			2,630
Lease financing	0			0			0			0			0			0			0
Construction real estate	1			0			0			0			(2		)	1			93
Commercial real estate	10			58			485			485			990			1,038			4,983
Residential real estate	128			23			223			61			224			435			387
Home equity	278			71			384			180			232			913			1,445
Installment	26			24			126			49			60			225			386
Credit card	209			201			215			232			326			857			1,190
Total gross charge-offs	1,916			4,499			4,498			2,750			3,420			13,663			11,114
Recoveries
Commercial and industrial	370			325			693			262			186			1,650			1,155
Lease financing	0			0			1			0			0			1			1
Construction real estate	0			0			89			0			51			89			285
Commercial real estate	480			585			1,398			256			382			2,719			2,502
Residential real estate	77			70			59			9			54			215			236
Home equity	589			110			222			106			144			1,027			720
Installment	46			74			43			71			118			234			335
Credit card	46			43			73			44			67			206			303
Total recoveries	1,608			1,207			2,578			748			1,002			6,141			5,537
Total net charge-offs	308			3,292			1,920			2,002			2,418			7,522			5,577
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	54,021		$	54,534		$	54,873		$	56,326		$	57,961		$	54,021		$	57,961

NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
Commercial and industrial	0.19		%	0.82		%	0.53		%	0.34		%	0.32		%	0.47		%	0.08		%
Lease financing	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%
Construction real estate	0.00		%	0.00		%	(0.08		)%	0.00		%	(0.06		)%	(0.02		)%	(0.05		)%
Commercial real estate	(0.07		)%	(0.08		)%	(0.15		)%	0.04		%	0.10		%	(0.07		)%	0.11		%
Residential real estate	0.04		%	(0.04		)%	0.13		%	0.04		%	0.13		%	0.05		%	0.03		%
Home equity	(0.25		)%	(0.03		)%	0.14		%	0.07		%	0.08		%	(0.02		)%	0.16		%
Installment	(0.19		)%	(0.43		)%	0.65		%	(0.18		)%	(0.47		)%	(0.02		)%	0.11		%
Credit card	1.39		%	1.39		%	1.28		%	1.73		%	2.35		%	1.44		%	2.10		%
Total net charge-offs	0.02		%	0.22		%	0.13		%	0.14		%	0.17		%	0.13		%	0.10		%

COMPONENTS OF NONPERFORMING LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual loans ⁽¹⁾
Commercial and industrial	$	5,229		$	9,026		$	15,099		$	9,249		$	2,419		$	5,229		$	2,419
Lease financing	82			87			94			102			195			82			195
Construction real estate	29			824			1,075			1,075			0			29			0
Commercial real estate	10,616			12,244			12,617			14,324			6,098			10,616			6,098
Residential real estate	4,140			4,333			4,442			4,520			5,251			4,140			5,251
Home equity	3,743			3,364			2,937			3,571			3,400			3,743			3,400
Installment	243			240			307			322			367			243			367
Nonaccrual loans	24,082			30,118			36,571			33,163			17,730			24,082			17,730
Accruing troubled debt restructurings (TDRs)	17,545			19,692			20,135			29,948			30,240			17,545			30,240
Total nonperforming loans	41,627			49,810			56,706			63,111			47,970			41,627			47,970
Other real estate owned (OREO)	2,781			3,116			5,961			5,300			6,284			2,781			6,284
Total nonperforming assets	44,408			52,926			62,667			68,411			54,254			44,408			54,254
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	61			84			124			96			142			61			142
Total underperforming assets	$	44,469		$	53,010		$	62,791		$	68,507		$	54,396		$	44,469		$	54,396
Total classified assets	$	87,293		$	94,320		$	98,391		$	114,550		$	125,155		$	87,293		$	125,155

CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for loan and lease losses to
Nonaccrual loans	224.32		%	181.07		%	150.05		%	169.85		%	326.91		%	224.32		%	326.91		%
Nonperforming loans	129.77		%	109.48		%	96.77		%	89.25		%	120.83		%	129.77		%	120.83		%
Total ending loans	0.90		%	0.91		%	0.93		%	0.98		%	1.01		%	0.90		%	1.01		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	0.69		%	0.83		%	0.97		%	1.10		%	0.83		%	0.69		%	0.83		%
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO	0.74		%	0.89		%	1.07		%	1.19		%	0.94		%	0.74		%	0.94		%
Total assets	0.50		%	0.60		%	0.72		%	0.80		%	0.64		%	0.50		%	0.64		%
Nonperforming assets, excluding accruing TDRs to
Ending loans, plus OREO	0.45		%	0.56		%	0.72		%	0.67		%	0.42		%	0.45		%	0.42		%
Total assets	0.30		%	0.38		%	0.49		%	0.45		%	0.28		%	0.30		%	0.28		%
Classified assets to total assets	0.98		%	1.08		%	1.13		%	1.34		%	1.48		%	0.98		%	1.48		%

(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $5.5 million, $9.1 million, $9.4 million, $7.8 million, and $5.1 million, as of December 31, 2017, September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017, March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.



FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
																Twelve months ended,
	Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Dec. 31,			Dec. 31,
	2017			2017			2017			2017			2016			2017			2016
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
High	$	29.15		$	28.50		$	28.95		$	28.90		$	29.35		$	29.15		$	29.35
Low	$	25.30		$	23.10		$	25.05		$	26.00		$	21.05		$	23.10		$	14.91
Close	$	26.35		$	26.15		$	27.70		$	27.45		$	28.45		$	26.35		$	28.45

Average shares outstanding - basic	61,595,629			61,577,619			61,543,478			61,398,414			61,311,068			61,529,460			61,206,093
Average shares outstanding - diluted	62,131,840			62,189,637			62,234,022			62,140,384			62,080,683			62,171,590			61,985,422
Ending shares outstanding	62,069,087			62,061,465			62,141,071			62,134,285			61,979,552			62,069,087			61,979,552

Total shareholders' equity	$	930,664		$	914,954		$	898,117		$	880,065		$	865,224		$	930,664		$	865,224

REGULATORY CAPITAL	Preliminary															Preliminary
Common equity tier 1 capital	$	755,735		$	746,730		$	731,024		$	716,678		$	703,891		$	755,735		$	703,891
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio	10.59		%	10.53		%	10.54		%	10.59		%	10.46		%	10.59		%	10.46		%
Tier 1 capital	$	755,839		$	746,834		$	731,128		$	716,782		$	703,995		$	755,839		$	703,995
Tier 1 ratio	10.59		%	10.53		%	10.54		%	10.59		%	10.46		%	10.59		%	10.46		%
Total capital	$	929,148		$	920,642		$	905,222		$	892,161		$	881,158		$	929,148		$	881,158
Total capital ratio	13.02		%	12.98		%	13.05		%	13.19		%	13.10		%	13.02		%	13.10		%
Total capital in excess of minimum
requirement	$	269,245		$	264,751		$	263,580		$	266,367		$	300,804		$	269,245		$	300,804
Total risk-weighted assets	$	7,134,085		$	7,090,714		$	6,936,665		$	6,765,336		$	6,728,737		$	7,134,085		$	6,728,737
Leverage ratio	8.84		%	8.74		%	8.69		%	8.69		%	8.60		%	8.84		%	8.60		%

OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets	10.46		%	10.44		%	10.31		%	10.32		%	10.25		%	10.46		%	10.25		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets	8.30		%	8.25		%	8.09		%	8.05		%	7.96		%	8.30		%	7.96		%
Average shareholders' equity to average assets	10.54		%	10.42		%	10.36		%	10.36		%	10.33		%	10.42		%	10.24		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets	8.34		%	8.21		%	8.12		%	8.06		%	8.01		%	8.19		%	7.89		%

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ - FORM 8-K - EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - January 18, 2018

Attached files

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/ Reports