EXHIBIT 99.1

First Financial Bancorp Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Cincinnati, Ohio - July 25, 2013 - First Financial Bancorp (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial” or the “Company”) announced today financial and operational results for the second quarter 2013.

Second quarter net income was $15.8 million and earnings per diluted common share were $0.27. This compares with first quarter net income of $13.8 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.24 and second quarter 2012 net income of $17.8 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.30.

▪ Quarterly adjusted pre-tax, pre-provision income increased 4.7% to $26.4 million, or 1.68% of average assets

▪ Continued solid quarterly performance

• Quarterly results included several items which reduced earnings per diluted share by $0.02

• Return on average assets of 1.01%; 1.08% as adjusted for the items noted below

• Return on average tangible common equity of 10.54%; 11.30% as adjusted for the items noted below

▪ Capital ratios remain strong

• Tangible common equity to tangible assets of 9.62%

• Tier 1 capital ratio of 15.41%

• Total risk-based capital ratio of 16.68%

▪ Total uncovered loan portfolio growth of 16.5% on an annualized basis

• Strong performance in specialty finance, commercial real estate and traditional C&I with solid contributions from construction and residential mortgage

• Uncovered loan growth exceeded the covered loan decline for the third consecutive quarter as total loans increased $67.8 million

▪ Quarterly net interest margin of 4.02%

• Decline of 2 bps compared to the linked quarter

• Strong growth in uncovered loans helped to offset impact of covered loan decline

• Cost of interest-bearing deposits declined 6 bps during the quarter to 0.35%

• Yield on uncovered loan portfolio declined 4 bps to 4.56%

▪ Total nonperforming loans declined $2.3 million during the quarter, which represents 2.22% of total loans compared to 2.38% for the linked quarter

During the quarter, the Company incurred certain pre-tax expenses resulting from its efficiency initiative of $1.5 million. Approximately $0.5 million was related to employee benefit expenses associated with staffing reductions and $1.0 million was related to real estate expenses associated with banking center consolidation and closure plans. Additionally, the Company incurred pre-tax pension settlement charges of $4.3 million resulting from recent employee-driven activity. The Company also recognized other pre-tax income not expected to recur of $0.4 million and gains of $0.2 million resulting from sales of investment securities. In the aggregate, these items reduced pre-tax earnings by $5.2 million, or $0.06 per diluted share after taxes.

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The Company also enhanced its valuation methodology related to certain estimates of its of cash flows and impairment associated with the covered loan portfolio during the quarter. As a result of these enhancements, the allowance for loan losses related to FDIC covered loans was reduced by $7.8 million with an equivalent amount reflected in the negative provision for covered loan losses for the quarter. The Company also recognized the corresponding reduction in the FDIC indemnification asset of $6.3 million related to this change in estimate with an equivalent amount reflected in the negative FDIC loss sharing income for the quarter. In the aggregate, these items increased pre-tax earnings by $1.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share after taxes.

The Company's income tax expense for the second quarter benefitted from a favorable tax reversal related to an intercompany tax obligation associated with an unconsolidated former Irwin subsidiary as well as other nonrecurring items associated with favorable tax changes and recent tax planning strategies. In the aggregate, these items reduced the Company's quarterly income tax expense by $1.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share.

The board of directors has authorized a regular dividend of $0.15 per common share and a variable dividend of $0.12 per common share for the next regularly scheduled dividend, payable on October 1, 2013 to shareholders of record as of August 30, 2013. As previously disclosed, this will be the last variable dividend paid with subsequent quarterly dividends expected to be comprised solely of the regular dividend.

Under the announced share repurchase plan, the Company repurchased 291,400 shares during the second quarter at an average price of $15.47 per share. When combined with the regular and variable dividends paid to shareholders, First Financial returned 130.1% of quarterly net income to shareholders during the second quarter.

The Company continued to make progress on its efficiency initiative during the quarter. Adjusting for expenses covered under loss sharing agreements, noninterest expense items discussed above, OREO costs and other operating expense variances that were primarily timing-related differences, noninterest expense declined $0.9 million during the quarter. The timing-related expenses, totaling $1.6 million in the aggregate, were unrelated to initiatives associated with the $17.1 million annual cost savings target. The Company estimates that it has achieved $15.0 million of annualized run rate savings to date and remains on track to realize 85% of the annual target in 2013. All initiatives related to the annual target have been implemented and opportunities for further efficiencies are currently under review.

Claude Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “On a reported basis, quarterly net income increased $2.0 million, or 14.5%, compared to the prior quarter. Adjusting for the effects of expenses related to our efficiency initiative and other items incurred during the quarter, net income increased $2.1 million, or 13.8%, compared to the linked quarter, driven primarily by a rebound in fee revenue which more than offset the modest decline in net interest income.

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“Net interest income declined $0.6 million, or 1.0%, and net interest margin declined 2 bps to 4.02% compared to the linked quarter. While we continue to see a significant difference in the yields on new loan originations compared to loans that payoff, our strong loan growth helped to mitigate the impact of both the continued low rate environment and the decline in our covered loan portfolio.

“We were very pleased with our asset generation during the quarter as uncovered loans increased $133.3 million, or 16.5% on an annualized basis. This marks the third consecutive quarter that our growth in uncovered loans has outpaced the decline in the covered loan portfolio. Total loans increased $67.8 million, or 6.9% on an annualized basis, which is a respectable achievement in its own right. Almost all lending areas of the Company contributed to the quarterly growth led by strong performance in our specialty finance and commercial real estate portfolios. Specialty finance balances increased $43.2 million during the quarter, or 33.9% on a linked quarter basis, and investment CRE balances increased $36.0 million, or 4.7% on a linked quarter basis.

”Due to our initiative in late 2012 to pre-fund the investment portfolio's expected 12 month cash flows with wholesale borrowings, we were in a modest liability sensitive position as of March 31, 2013. Early in the second quarter, we began to unwind the pre-funding initiative, as evidenced by the declines in average balances of both the investment portfolio and short-term borrowings. As of June 30, 2013, we anticipate that we will be approximately neutral on our asset/liability position under a +100 bp parallel rate shift and asset sensitive under a +200 bp rate shift. We continue to execute on deleverage strategies but will remain prudent in managing our balance sheet given strong loan demand and rational deposit pricing.”

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NET INTEREST INCOME AND NET INTEREST MARGIN

Net interest income for the second quarter was $58.1 million as compared to $58.7 million for the first quarter and $64.8 million for the second quarter 2012. Compared to the linked quarter, total interest income declined $1.2 million, or 1.9%, and total interest expense declined $0.6 million, or 12.4%. Net interest margin was 4.02% for the second quarter 2013 as compared to 4.04% for the first quarter 2013 and 4.49% for the second quarter 2012.

Interest income earned on loans decreased $1.0 million, or 1.8%, compared to the prior quarter. The lower interest income earned on loans and modest decline in net interest margin was driven primarily by a 9.8% decrease in the average balance of covered loans outstanding and a 42 bp decline in the yield earned on the portfolio.

Growth in average uncovered loan balances of $109.3 million, or 3.4% on a linked quarter basis, and higher loan fees helped to partially offset the impact on net interest income and margin from the decline in covered loans during the quarter. The yield earned on the uncovered portfolio declined 4 bps during the quarter.

Interest income earned from investment securities declined slightly during the quarter despite a decrease of $133.6 million, or 7.3%, in average balances as the yield earned on the portfolio increased 10 bps to 2.08%, helping to mitigate the impact on net interest margin of lower yields earned on loans.

Interest expense and net interest margin continued to benefit from declining deposit costs. The average balance of interest-bearing deposits increased 0.2% compared to the prior quarter as a $50.7 million increase in average interest-bearing demand, savings and money market balances were partially offset by a decline of $43.2 million in average time deposit balances during the quarter. The cost of funds related to interest-bearing deposits decreased 6 bps to 35 bps compared to 41 bps for the linked quarter.

NONINTEREST INCOME

The following table presents noninterest income for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and for the trailing four quarters, adjusted to exclude the impact of covered loan activity and other select items on the Company's reported balance.

Table I
	For the Three Months Ended
	June 30,			March 31,		December 31,		September 30,		June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2013		2012		2012		2012
Total noninterest income	$	11,615		$	26,698	$	26,121	$	30,830	$	33,545
Selected components of noninterest income
Accelerated discount on covered loans 1	1,935			1,935		2,455		3,798		3,764
FDIC loss sharing income	(7,384		)	8,934		5,754		8,496		8,280
Gain on sale of investment securities	188			1,536		1,011		2,617		—
Other items not expected to recur	442			—		—		—		5,000
Total noninterest income excluding items noted above	$	16,434		$	14,293	$	16,901	$	15,919	$	16,501
1  Net of the corresponding valuation adjustment on the FDIC indemnification asset

Excluding the items highlighted in Table I, noninterest income earned in the second quarter was $16.4 million compared to $14.3 million in the first quarter and $16.5 million in the second quarter 2012. The increase of $2.1 million compared to the linked quarter was driven by higher service charges on deposits, bankcard income, net gains from sales of residential mortgages, client derivative fees and a credit valuation adjustment related to client derivatives, partially offset by lower trust and wealth management fees.

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NONINTEREST EXPENSE

The following table presents noninterest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and for the trailing four quarters, adjusted to exclude the impact of covered asset activity and other select items on the Company's reported balance.

Table II
	For the Three Months Ended
	June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2013			2012			2012			2012
Total noninterest expense	$	53,283		$	53,106		$	53,474		$	55,286		$	57,459
Selected components of noninterest expense
Loss (gain) - covered real estate owned	(2,212		)	(157		)	(54		)	(25		)	1,233
Loss sharing expense	1,578			2,286			2,305			3,584			3,085
Pension settlement charges	4,316			—			—			—			—
Expenses associated with efficiency initiative	1,518			2,878			952			351			2,160
Other items not expected to recur	—			390			—			—			—
Total noninterest income excluding items noted above	$	48,083		$	47,709		$	50,271		$	51,376		$	50,981
FDIC loss share support 1	$	795		$	776		$	798		$	951		$	1,014
1  Represents direct expenses associated with credit management and loan administration related to covered assets as well as compliance with FDIC loss sharing agreements; included in total noninterest expense excluding the items noted above and comprised of several noninterest expense line items; expected to recur but decline over time as assets covered under loss sharing agreements decrease

Excluding the items highlighted in Table II, noninterest expense in the second quarter was $48.1 million as compared to $47.7 million in the first quarter and $51.0 million in the second quarter 2012. The increase of $0.4 million compared to the linked quarter was due primarily to higher marketing and other miscellaneous expenses, partially offset by lower salaries and employee benefits, uncovered OREO and equipment expenses. Expenses associated with the efficiency initiative and other staffing-related changes include $0.5 million of employee benefit expenses related to staffing reductions and $1.0 million of real estate expenses associated with banking center consolidation and closure plans.

During the quarter, the Company recognized $4.3 million of pension settlement charges associated with recent employee-related actions and the resulting lump-sum distributions from its pension plan.  Pension settlement charges are an acceleration of previously deferred costs that would have been recognized in future periods and are determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits.  As First Financial has exceeded the annual accounting threshold for lump-sum distributions, it will recognize a proportionate share of any further lump-sum distributions from its pension plan as additional pension settlement charges through the remainder of 2013.

INCOME TAXES

For the second quarter, income tax expense was $6.5 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 29.0%, compared with income tax expense of $6.4 million and an effective tax rate of 31.5% during the first quarter and $8.7 million and an effective tax rate of 32.8% during the second quarter 2012. The lower second quarter tax rate resulted from a favorable tax reversal related to an intercompany tax obligation associated with an unconsolidated former Irwin subsidiary as well as other nonrecurring items associated

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with favorable tax changes and recent tax planning strategies. In the aggregate, these items reduced the Company's quarterly income tax expense by $1.1 million. The Company anticipates this will be the last meaningful adjustment related to the resolution of the former Irwin subsidiary and that a normalized effective tax rate in future periods is estimated to be 34.5%.

CREDIT QUALITY - EXCLUDING COVERED ASSETS

The following table presents certain credit quality metrics related to the Company's uncovered loan portfolio as of June 30, 2013 and the trailing four quarters.

Table III
	As of or for the Three Months Ended
	June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2013			2012			2012			2012
Total nonaccrual loans	$	42,063		$	42,128		$	50,930		$	49,404		$	63,093
Troubled debt restructurings - accruing	12,924			12,757			10,856			11,604			9,909
Troubled debt restructurings - nonaccrual	19,948			22,324			14,111			13,017			10,185
Total troubled debt restructurings	32,872			35,081			24,967			24,621			20,094
Total nonperforming loans	74,935			77,209			75,897			74,025			83,187
Total nonperforming assets	86,733			89,202			88,423			87,937			98,875
Nonperforming assets as a % of:
Period-end loans plus OREO	2.56		%	2.74		%	2.77		%	2.86		%	3.27		%
Total assets	1.38		%	1.4		%	1.36		%	1.41		%	1.57		%
Nonperforming assets ex. accruing TDRs as a % of:
Period-end loans plus OREO	2.17		%	2.34		%	2.43		%	2.48		%	2.94		%
Total assets	1.18		%	1.2		%	1.19		%	1.22		%	1.42		%
Nonperforming loans as a % of total loans	2.22		%	2.38		%	2.39		%	2.41		%	2.76		%
Provision for loan and lease losses - uncovered	$	2,409		$	3,041		$	3,882		$	3,613		$	8,364
Allowance for uncovered loan & lease losses	$	47,047		$	48,306		$	47,777		$	49,192		$	50,952
Allowance for loan & lease losses as a % of:
Period-end loans	1.39		%	1.49		%	1.50		%	1.60		%	1.69		%
Nonaccrual loans	111.9		%	114.7		%	93.8		%	99.6		%	80.8		%
Nonaccrual loans plus nonaccrual TDRs	75.9		%	75.0		%	73.5		%	78.8		%	69.5		%
Nonperforming loans	62.8		%	62.6		%	63.0		%	66.5		%	61.3		%
Total net charge-offs	$	3,668		$	2,512		$	5,297		$	5,373		$	6,849
Annualized net-charge-offs as a % of average
loans & leases	0.45		%	0.32		%	0.68		%	0.71		%	0.93		%

Net Charge-offs

For the second quarter, net charge-offs increased $1.2 million, or 46.0%, to $3.7 million compared to the linked quarter due to increases in commercial real estate and C&I net charge-offs, partially offset by lower home equity net charge-offs. The increase was driven primarily by a $0.9 million charge-off related to a nonaccrual commercial real estate credit.

Nonperforming Assets

Nonaccrual loans, including nonaccrual troubled debt restructurings, decreased $2.4 million, or 3.8%, to $62.0 million as of June 30, 2013 from $64.5 million as of March 31, 2013. Contributing to the decline was a $1.5 million paydown related to a commercial relationship classified as a nonaccrual troubled debt restructuring.

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Other activity included the addition to nonaccrual loans of a $2.0 million commercial real estate credit that was offset by reductions resulting from paydowns or transfers to OREO.

OREO decreased $0.2 million, or 1.6%, to $11.8 million during the second quarter as resolutions and valuation adjustments of $2.2 million exceeded $2.0 million of additions during the quarter. Additions were driven by two properties totaling $1.6 in the aggregate and resolutions included three properties totaling $1.0 million in the aggregate for the quarter.

Classified assets as of June 30, 2013 declined to $129.8 million, or 0.5%, from $130.4 million for the linked quarter and decreased $15.8 million, or 10.8%, from $145.6 million as of June 30, 2012. Classified assets are defined by the Company as nonperforming assets plus performing loans internally rated substandard or worse.

Delinquent Loans

As of June 30, 2013, loans 30-to-89 days past due totaled $13.4 million, or 0.40% of period-end loans, as compared to $18.2 million, or 0.56%, as of March 31, 2013 and $26.0 million, or 0.86%, as of June 30, 2012. The decline of $4.8 million, or 26.4%, during the second quarter was driven primarily by the reclassification of a $2.0 million commercial real estate credit to nonaccrual status as well as a commercial real estate credit and an equipment finance credit, totaling $1.9 million in the aggregate, where the borrowers made payments to bring the loans current.

Provision for Loan & Lease Losses

Second quarter provision expense related to uncovered loans and leases was $2.4 million as compared to $3.0 million for the linked quarter and $8.4 million for the comparable year-over-year quarter. Provision expense is a result of the Company's modeling efforts to estimate the period-end allowance for loan and lease losses. As a percentage of net charge-offs, second quarter provision expense equaled 65.7%.

LOANS (EXCLUDING COVERED LOANS)

The following table presents the loan portfolio, excluding covered loans, as of June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and June 30, 2012.

Table IV
	As of
	June 30, 2013				March 31, 2013				June 30, 2012
			Percent				Percent				Percent
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance		of Total		Balance		of Total		Balance		of Total
Commercial	$	940,420	27.8	%	$	892,381	27.5	%	$	823,890	27.3	%
Real estate - construction	97,246		2.9	%	87,542		2.7	%	86,173		2.9	%
Real estate - commercial	1,477,226		43.7	%	1,433,182		44.1	%	1,321,446		43.9	%
Real estate - residential	343,016		10.1	%	330,260		10.2	%	292,503		9.7	%
Installment	50,781		1.5	%	53,509		1.6	%	61,590		2.0	%
Home equity	370,206		10.9	%	365,943		11.3	%	365,413		12.1	%
Credit card	33,222		1.0	%	32,465		1.0	%	31,486		1.0	%
Lease financing	70,011		2.1	%	53,556		1.6	%	30,109		1.0	%
Total	$	3,382,128	100.0	%	$	3,248,838	100.0	%	$	3,012,610	100.0	%

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Loans, excluding covered loans, totaled $3.4 billion as of June 30, 2013, increasing $133.3 million, or 16.5% on an annualized basis, compared to the linked quarter and $369.5 million, or 12.3%, compared to June 30, 2012. The increase relative to the linked quarter was driven by growth in specialty finance, commercial real estate and traditional C&I with continued solid performance from construction and residential mortgage lending.

INVESTMENTS

The following table presents a summary of the total investment portfolio at June 30, 2013.

Table V
	As of June 30, 2013
	Securities		Securities		Other		Total		Percent
(Dollars in thousands)	HTM		AFS		Investments		Securities		of Portfolio
Agencies	$	19,854	$	10,147	—		$	30,001	1.8	%
CMO - fixed rate	413,656		362,901		—		776,557		47.6	%
CMO - variable rate	—		96,874		—		96,874		5.9	%
MBS - fixed rate	95,747		129,652		—		225,399		13.8	%
MBS - variable rate	132,088		37,808		—		169,896		10.4	%
Municipal	8,901		33,137		—		42,038		2.6	%
Other tax-exempt	—		43,097		—		43,097		2.6	%
Corporate	—		70,155		—		70,155		4.3	%
Asset-backed securities	—		60,486		—		60,486		3.7	%
Other AFS securities	—		40,437		—		40,437		2.5	%
Regulatory stock and other	—		—		75,645		75,645		4.6	%
	$	670,246	$	884,694	$	75,645	$	1,630,585	100.0	%

The investment portfolio decreased $113.0 million, or 6.5%, during the second quarter as $54.9 million of purchases were offset by sales, amortizations and paydowns. In addition, the Company sold $19.9 million of agency MBS and CMOs during the quarter in order to enhance liquidity and reduce prepayment and premium risks, recognizing a pre-tax gain of $0.2 million. The organic runoff of principal and interest payments in the investment portfolio is complementing loan demand as the Company manages the potential impact of rising long-term interest rates on its interest rate sensitivity position and capital. This decline could be accelerated in the future depending on the Company's view of forward rates. As of June 30, 2013, the overall duration of the investment portfolio increased to 4.0 years compared to 3.1 years as of March 31, 2013. The yield earned on the portfolio during the quarter increased 10 bps to 2.08% from 1.98% for the linked quarter, driven partially by stabilization in premium amortization. Due to an increase in interest rates and a widening of spreads for fixed income securities during the quarter, the net unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the investment portfolio of $9.4 million as of March 31, 2013 declined $15.2 million to a net unrealized loss of $5.8 million as of June 30, 2013.

DEPOSITS

Non-time deposit balances totaled $3.8 billion as of June 30, 2013, consistent with balances as of March 31, 2013, as increases in commercial balances of $29.7 million and public fund balances of $13.0 million were offset by a decrease in consumer balances of $42.9 million.

Time deposit balances decreased $51.4 million, or 5.0%, compared to the linked quarter due primarily to a decline in consumer balances of $56.6 million, offset by an increase in public fund balances of $10.7 million.

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The low interest rate environment continued to have a positive impact on the Company's deposit costs as the total cost of deposit funding declined to 27 bps for the quarter, a decrease of 5 bps compared to the prior quarter and 22 bps compared to the second quarter 2012.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The following table presents First Financial's regulatory and other capital ratios as of June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and June 30, 2012.

Table VI
	As of
	June 30,			March 31,			June 30,
	2013			2013			2012
Leverage Ratio	10.12		%	10.00		%	10.21		%
Tier 1 Capital Ratio	15.41		%	15.87		%	17.14		%
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio	16.68		%	17.15		%	18.42		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity
to ending tangible assets	9.62		%	9.60		%	9.91		%
Ending tangible common shareholders'
equity to ending tangible assets	9.62		%	9.60		%	9.91		%
Tangible book value per share	$	10.29		$	10.33		$	10.47

Shareholders' equity decreased $6.2 million during the quarter due primarily to the change in the unrealized gain/loss related to the investment portfolio, regular and variable dividends declared during the quarter and share repurchases. This decline was partially offset by net income and a $10.4 million adjustment related to the Company's updated pension plan assumptions reflecting the recent change in long-term interest rates and their estimated impact on the benefit obligation. The Company's tangible common equity ratio increased during the quarter as the decline in period end tangible assets outweighed the decline in tangible equity. The tier 1 capital and total risk-based capital ratios declined during the quarter due primarily to an increase in risk-weighted assets. Regulatory capital ratios as of June 30, 2013 are considered preliminary pending the filing of the Company's regulatory reports.

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Teleconference / Webcast Information

First Financial's senior management will host a conference call to discuss the Company's financial and operating results on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Members of the public who would like to listen to the conference call should dial (888) 317-6016 (U.S. toll free), (855) 669-9657 (Canada toll free) or +1 (412) 317-6016 (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 through August 12, 2013 at (877) 344-7529 (U.S. toll free) and +1 (412) 317-0088 (International); conference number 10031278. The webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website through July 26, 2014.

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/investor.

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain statements contained in this release which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act (the ''Act''). In addition, certain statements in future filings by First Financial with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by or with the approval of First Financial which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, projections of revenues, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or non-payment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items, statements of plans and objectives of First Financial or its management or board of directors and statements of future economic performances and statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as ''believes,'' ''anticipates,'' “likely,” “expected,” ''intends,'' and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Management's analysis contains forward-looking statements that are provided to assist in the understanding of anticipated future financial performance. However, such performance involves risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

▪ management's ability to effectively execute its business plan;

▪ the risk that the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations may continue to deteriorate resulting in, among other things, a further deterioration in credit quality or a reduced demand for credit, including the resultant effect on our loan portfolio, allowance for loan and lease losses and overall financial performance;

▪ U.S. fiscal debt and budget matters;

▪ the ability of financial institutions to access sources of liquidity at a reasonable cost;

▪ the impact of recent upheaval in the financial markets and the effectiveness of domestic and international governmental actions taken in response, and the effect of such governmental actions on us, our competitors and counterparties, financial markets generally and availability of credit specifically, and the U.S. and international economies, including potentially higher FDIC premiums arising from increased payments from FDIC insurance funds as a result of depository institution failures;

▪ the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies (notably the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act);

▪ the effect of the current low interest rate environment or changes in interest rates on our net interest margin and our loan originations and securities holdings;

▪ our ability to keep up with technological changes;

▪ failure or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third party vendors and other service providers;

▪ our ability to comply with the terms of loss sharing agreements with the FDIC;

▪ mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies and the wind-down of non-strategic operations that may be greater than expected, such as the risks and

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uncertainties associated with the Irwin Mortgage Corporation bankruptcy proceedings and other acquired subsidiaries;

▪ the risk that exploring merger and acquisition opportunities may detract from management's time and ability to successfully manage our Company;

▪ expected cost savings in connection with the consolidation of recent acquisitions may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frames, and deposit attrition, customer loss and revenue loss following completed acquisitions may be greater than expected;

▪ our ability to increase market share and control expenses;

▪ the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies as well as the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC;

▪ adverse changes in the creditworthiness of our borrowers and lessees, collateral values, the value of investment securities and asset recovery values, including the value of the FDIC indemnification asset and related assets covered by FDIC loss sharing agreements;

▪ adverse changes in the securities, debt and/or derivatives markets;

▪ our success in recruiting and retaining the necessary personnel to support business growth and expansion and maintain sufficient expertise to support increasingly complex products and services;

▪ monetary and fiscal policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) and the U.S. government and other governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry;

▪ unpredictable natural or other disasters could have an adverse effect on us in that such events could materially disrupt our operations or our vendors' operations or willingness of our customers to access the financial services we offer;

▪ our ability to manage loan delinquency and charge-off rates and changes in estimation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses; and

▪ the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation.

In addition, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as well as our other filings with the SEC, for a more detailed discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors. Such forward-looking statements are meaningful only on the date when such statements are made, and First Financial undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such a statement is made to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

About First Financial Bancorp

First Financial Bancorp is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of June 30, 2013, the Company had $6.3 billion in assets, $4.0 billion in loans, $4.8 billion in deposits and $695 million in shareholders' equity. The Company's subsidiary, First Financial Bank, N.A., founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its three lines of business: commercial, retail and wealth management. The commercial and retail units provide traditional banking services to business and consumer clients. First Financial Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $2.5 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2013. The Company's strategic operating markets are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky where it operates 110 banking centers. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

Contact Information

Investors/AnalystsMedia

Kenneth LovikJenny Keighley

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations andAssistant Vice President, Media Relations Manager

Corporate Development(513) 979-5582

(513) 979-5837jennifer.keighley@bankatfirst.com

kenneth.lovik@bankatfirst.com

11

Selected Financial Information

June 30, 2013

(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
Supplemental Information on Covered Assets	12 - 14

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended,															Six months ended,
	Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Jun. 30,
	2013			2013			2012			2012			2012			2013			2012
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income	$	15,829		$	13,824		$	16,265		$	16,242		$	17,802		$	29,653		$	34,796
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.28		$	0.24		$	0.28		$	0.28		$	0.31		$	0.52		$	0.60
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.27		$	0.24		$	0.28		$	0.28		$	0.30		$	0.51		$	0.59
Dividends declared per share	$	0.24		$	0.28		$	0.28		$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.52		$	0.60
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets	1.01		%	0.88		%	1.03		%	1.05		%	1.13		%	0.94		%	1.09		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	9.02		%	7.91		%	9.06		%	9.01		%	9.98		%	8.47		%	9.83		%
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity	10.54		%	9.24		%	10.58		%	10.53		%	11.68		%	9.89		%	11.52		%
Net interest margin	4.02		%	4.04		%	4.27		%	4.21		%	4.49		%	4.03		%	4.50		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	4.06		%	4.07		%	4.29		%	4.23		%	4.50		%	4.07		%	4.51		%
Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets	11.08		%	11.05		%	10.93		%	11.48		%	11.41		%	11.08		%	11.41		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets	9.62		%	9.60		%	9.50		%	9.99		%	9.91		%	9.62		%	9.91		%
Risk-weighted assets	14.50		%	15.05		%	15.57		%	16.16		%	16.39		%	14.50		%	16.39		%
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets	11.15		%	11.09		%	11.35		%	11.62		%	11.32		%	11.12		%	11.11		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of
average tangible assets	9.70		%	9.65		%	9.88		%	10.12		%	9.84		%	9.68		%	9.64		%
Book value per share	$	12.05		$	12.09		$	12.24		$	12.24		$	12.25		$	12.05		$	12.25
Tangible book value per share	$	10.29		$	10.33		$	10.47		$	10.47		$	10.47		$	10.29		$	10.47
Tier 1 Ratio (2)	15.41		%	15.87		%	16.32		%	16.93		%	17.14		%	15.41		%	17.14		%
Total Capital Ratio (2)	16.68		%	17.15		%	17.60		%	18.21		%	18.42		%	16.68		%	18.42		%
Leverage Ratio (2)	10.12		%	10.00		%	10.25		%	10.54		%	10.21		%	10.12		%	10.21		%
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans (3)	$	3,313,731		$	3,205,781		$	3,107,760		$	3,037,734		$	2,995,296		$	3,260,054		$	2,987,402
Covered loans and FDIC indemnification asset	758,875			840,190			920,102			1,002,622			1,100,014			799,308			1,139,842
Investment securities	1,705,219			1,838,783			1,746,961			1,606,313			1,713,503			1,771,632			1,689,073
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	13,890			3,056			5,146			11,390			4,454			8,503			65,392
Total earning assets	$	5,791,715		$	5,887,810		$	5,779,969		$	5,658,059		$	5,813,267		$	5,839,497		$	5,881,709
Total assets	$	6,310,602		$	6,391,049		$	6,294,084		$	6,166,667		$	6,334,973		$	6,350,604		$	6,406,952
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	1,063,102		$	1,049,943		$	1,112,072		$	1,052,421		$	1,044,405		$	1,056,559		$	987,876
Interest-bearing deposits	3,792,891			3,785,402			3,912,854			4,013,148			4,210,079			3,789,167			4,377,615
Total deposits	$	4,855,993		$	4,835,345		$	5,024,926		$	5,065,569		$	5,254,484		$	4,845,726		$	5,365,491
Borrowings	$	644,058		$	735,327		$	439,308		$	257,340		$	234,995		$	689,441		$	198,453
Shareholders' equity	$	703,804		$	708,862		$	714,373		$	716,797		$	717,111		$	706,319		$	711,829
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS (excluding covered assets)
Allowance to ending loans	1.39		%	1.49		%	1.50		%	1.60		%	1.69		%	1.39		%	1.69		%
Allowance to nonaccrual loans	111.85		%	114.66		%	93.81		%	99.57		%	80.76		%	111.85		%	80.76		%
Allowance to nonperforming loans	62.78		%	62.57		%	62.95		%	66.45		%	61.25		%	62.78		%	61.25		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	2.22		%	2.38		%	2.39		%	2.41		%	2.76		%	2.22		%	2.76		%
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO	2.56		%	2.74		%	2.77		%	2.86		%	3.27		%	2.56		%	3.27		%
Nonperforming assets to total assets	1.38		%	1.40		%	1.36		%	1.41		%	1.57		%	1.38		%	1.57		%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)	0.45		%	0.32		%	0.68		%	0.71		%	0.93		%	0.38		%	0.90		%

(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) June 30, 2013 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.

(3) Includes loans held for sale.

2

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	Three months ended,								Six months ended,
	Jun. 30,								Jun. 30,
	2013			2012			% Change		2013			2012			% Change
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$	55,022		$	63,390		(13.2	)%	$	111,047		$	129,826		(14.5	)%
Investment securities
Taxable	8,295			10,379			(20.1	)%	16,671			20,896			(20.2	)%
Tax-exempt	560			121			362.8	%	1,140			255			347.1	%
Total investment securities interest	8,855			10,500			(15.7	)%	17,811			21,151			(15.8	)%
Other earning assets	(1,556		)	(1,967		)	(20.9	)%	(3,028		)	(3,957		)	(23.5	)%
Total interest income	62,321			71,923			(13.4	)%	125,830			147,020			(14.4	)%
Interest expense
Deposits	3,284			6,381			(48.5	)%	7,144			14,097			(49.3	)%
Short-term borrowings	305			37			724.3	%	634			49			1,193.9	%
Long-term borrowings	654			675			(3.1	)%	1,308			1,355			(3.5	)%
Total interest expense	4,243			7,093			(40.2	)%	9,086			15,501			(41.4	)%
Net interest income	58,078			64,830			(10.4	)%	116,744			131,519			(11.2	)%
Provision for loan and lease losses - uncovered	2,409			8,364			(71.2	)%	5,450			11,622			(53.1	)%
Provision for loan and lease losses - covered	(8,283		)	6,047			(237.0	)%	759			18,998			(96.0	)%
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	63,952			50,419			26.8	%	110,535			100,899			9.6	%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	5,205			5,376			(3.2	)%	9,922			10,285			(3.5	)%
Trust and wealth management fees	3,497			3,377			3.6	%	7,447			7,168			3.9	%
Bankcard income	3,145			2,579			21.9	%	5,578			5,115			9.1	%
Net gains from sales of loans	1,089			1,132			(3.8	)%	1,795			2,072			(13.4	)%
FDIC loss sharing (loss) income	(7,384		)	8,280			(189.2	)%	1,550			21,096			(92.7	)%
Accelerated discount on covered loans	1,935			3,764			(48.6	)%	3,870			7,409			(47.8	)%
Gain on sale of investment securities	188			0			N/M		1,724			0			N/M
Other	3,940			9,037			(56.4	)%	6,427			12,325			(47.9	)%
Total noninterest income	11,615			33,545			(65.4	)%	38,313			65,470			(41.5	)%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	26,216			29,048			(9.7	)%	53,545			57,909			(7.5	)%
Pension settlement charges	4,316			0			N/M		4,316			0			N/M
Net occupancy	5,384			5,025			7.1	%	11,549			10,407			11.0	%
Furniture and equipment	2,250			2,323			(3.1	)%	4,621			4,567			1.2	%
Data processing	2,559			2,076			23.3	%	5,028			3,977			26.4	%
Marketing	1,182			1,238			(4.5	)%	2,079			2,392			(13.1	)%
Communication	781			913			(14.5	)%	1,614			1,807			(10.7	)%
Professional services	1,764			2,151			(18.0	)%	3,567			4,298			(17.0	)%
State intangible tax	1,004			970			3.5	%	2,018			1,996			1.1	%
FDIC assessments	1,148			1,270			(9.6	)%	2,273			2,433			(6.6	)%
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	216			313			(31.0	)%	718			1,309			(45.1	)%
Loss (gain) - covered other real estate owned	(2,212		)	1,233			(279.4	)%	(2,369		)	2,525			(193.8	)%
Loss sharing expense	1,578			3,085			(48.8	)%	3,864			4,836			(20.1	)%
Other	7,097			7,814			(9.2	)%	13,566			14,781			(8.2	)%
Total noninterest expenses	53,283			57,459			(7.3	)%	106,389			113,237			(6.0	)%
Income before income taxes	22,284			26,505			(15.9	)%	42,459			53,132			(20.1	)%
Income tax expense	6,455			8,703			(25.8	)%	12,806			18,336			(30.2	)%
Net income	$	15,829		$	17,802		(11.1	)%	$	29,653		$	34,796		(14.8	)%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.28		$	0.31				$	0.52		$	0.60
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.27		$	0.30				$	0.51		$	0.59
Dividends declared per share	$	0.24		$	0.29				$	0.52		$	0.60
Return on average assets	1.01		%	1.13		%			0.94		%	1.09		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	9.02		%	9.98		%			8.47		%	9.83		%
Interest income	$	62,321		$	71,923		(13.4	)%	$	125,830		$	147,020		(14.4	)%
Tax equivalent adjustment	514			216			138.0	%	991			434			128.3	%
Interest income - tax equivalent	62,835			72,139			(12.9	)%	126,821			147,454			(14.0	)%
Interest expense	4,243			7,093			(40.2	)%	9,086			15,501			(41.4	)%
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	58,592		$	65,046		(9.9	)%	$	117,735		$	131,953		(10.8	)%
Net interest margin	4.02		%	4.49		%			4.03		%	4.50		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	4.06		%	4.50		%			4.07		%	4.51		%
Full-time equivalent employees	1,338			1,525
(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 provided useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.
N/M = Not meaningful.

3

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	2013
	Second			First						% Change
	Quarter			Quarter			YTD			Linked Qtr.
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$	55,022		$	56,025		$	111,047		(1.8	)%
Investment securities
Taxable	8,295			8,376			16,671			(1.0	)%
Tax-exempt	560			580			1,140			(3.4	)%
Total investment securities interest	8,855			8,956			17,811			(1.1	)%
Other earning assets	(1,556		)	(1,472		)	(3,028		)	5.7	%
Total interest income	62,321			63,509			125,830			(1.9	)%
Interest expense
Deposits	3,284			3,860			7,144			(14.9	)%
Short-term borrowings	305			329			634			(7.3	)%
Long-term borrowings	654			654			1,308			0.0	%
Total interest expense	4,243			4,843			9,086			(12.4	)%
Net interest income	58,078			58,666			116,744			(1.0	)%
Provision for loan and lease losses - uncovered	2,409			3,041			5,450			(20.8	)%
Provision for loan and lease losses - covered	(8,283		)	9,042			759			(191.6	)%
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	63,952			46,583			110,535			37.3	%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	5,205			4,717			9,922			10.3	%
Trust and wealth management fees	3,497			3,950			7,447			(11.5	)%
Bankcard income	3,145			2,433			5,578			29.3	%
Net gains from sales of loans	1,089			706			1,795			54.2	%
FDIC loss sharing income	(7,384		)	8,934			1,550			(182.7	)%
Accelerated discount on covered loans	1,935			1,935			3,870			0.0	%
Gain on sale of investment securities	188			1,536			1,724			(87.8	)%
Other	3,940			2,487			6,427			58.4	%
Total noninterest income	11,615			26,698			38,313			(56.5	)%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	26,216			27,329			53,545			(4.1	)%
Pension settlement charges	4,316			0			4,316			N/M
Net occupancy	5,384			6,165			11,549			(12.7	)%
Furniture and equipment	2,250			2,371			4,621			(5.1	)%
Data processing	2,559			2,469			5,028			3.6	%
Marketing	1,182			897			2,079			31.8	%
Communication	781			833			1,614			(6.2	)%
Professional services	1,764			1,803			3,567			(2.2	)%
State intangible tax	1,004			1,014			2,018			(1.0	)%
FDIC assessments	1,148			1,125			2,273			2.0	%
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	216			502			718			(57.0	)%
Loss (gain) - covered other real estate owned	(2,212		)	(157		)	(2,369		)	1,308.9	%
Loss sharing expense	1,578			2,286			3,864			(31.0	)%
Other	7,097			6,469			13,566			9.7	%
Total noninterest expenses	53,283			53,106			106,389			0.3	%
Income before income taxes	22,284			20,175			42,459			10.5	%
Income tax expense	6,455			6,351			12,806			1.6	%
Net income	$	15,829		$	13,824		$	29,653		14.5	%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.28		$	0.24		$	0.52
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.27		$	0.24		$	0.51
Dividends declared per share	$	0.24		$	0.28		$	0.52
Return on average assets	1.01		%	0.88		%	0.94		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	9.02		%	7.91		%	8.47		%
Interest income	$	62,321		$	63,509		$	125,830		(1.9	)%
Tax equivalent adjustment	514			477			991			7.8	%
Interest income - tax equivalent	62,835			63,986			126,821			(1.8	)%
Interest expense	4,243			4,843			9,086			(12.4	)%
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	58,592		$	59,143		$	117,735		(0.9	)%
Net interest margin	4.02		%	4.04		%	4.03		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	4.06		%	4.07		%	4.07		%
Full-time equivalent employees	1,338			1,385
(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 provided useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.
N/M = Not meaningful.

4

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	2012
	Fourth			Third			Second			First			Full
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$	60,389		$	59,536		$	63,390		$	66,436		$	249,751
Investment securities
Taxable	8,410			8,358			10,379			10,517			37,664
Tax-exempt	370			111			121			134			736
Total investment securities interest	8,780			8,469			10,500			10,651			38,400
Other earning assets	(1,564		)	(1,700		)	(1,967		)	(1,990		)	(7,221		)
Total interest income	67,605			66,305			71,923			75,097			280,930
Interest expense
Deposits	4,798			5,730			6,381			7,716			24,625
Short-term borrowings	159			54			37			12			262
Long-term borrowings	672			675			675			680			2,702
Total interest expense	5,629			6,459			7,093			8,408			27,589
Net interest income	61,976			59,846			64,830			66,689			253,341
Provision for loan and lease losses - uncovered	3,882			3,613			8,364			3,258			19,117
Provision for loan and lease losses - covered	5,283			6,622			6,047			12,951			30,903
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	52,811			49,611			50,419			50,480			203,321
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	5,431			5,499			5,376			4,909			21,215
Trust and wealth management fees	3,409			3,374			3,377			3,791			13,951
Bankcard income	2,526			2,387			2,579			2,536			10,028
Net gains from sales of loans	1,179			1,319			1,132			940			4,570
FDIC loss sharing income	5,754			8,496			8,280			12,816			35,346
Accelerated discount on covered loans	2,455			3,798			3,764			3,645			13,662
Gain on sale of investment securities	1,011			2,617			0			0			3,628
Other	4,356			3,340			9,037			3,288			20,021
Total noninterest income	26,121			30,830			33,545			31,925			122,421
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	28,033			27,212			29,048			28,861			113,154
Net occupancy	5,122			5,153			5,025			5,382			20,682
Furniture and equipment	2,291			2,332			2,323			2,244			9,190
Data processing	2,526			2,334			2,076			1,901			8,837
Marketing	1,566			1,592			1,238			1,154			5,550
Communication	814			788			913			894			3,409
Professional services	1,667			1,304			2,151			2,147			7,269
State intangible tax	942			961			970			1,026			3,899
FDIC assessments	1,085			1,164			1,270			1,163			4,682
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	569			1,372			313			996			3,250
Loss (gain) - covered other real estate owned	(54		)	(25		)	1,233			1,292			2,446
Loss sharing expense	2,305			3,584			3,085			1,751			10,725
Other	6,608			7,515			7,814			6,967			28,904
Total noninterest expenses	53,474			55,286			57,459			55,778			221,997
Income before income taxes	25,458			25,155			26,505			26,627			103,745
Income tax expense	9,193			8,913			8,703			9,633			36,442
Net income	$	16,265		$	16,242		$	17,802		$	16,994		$	67,303
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.28		$	0.28		$	0.31		$	0.29		$	1.16
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.28		$	0.28		$	0.30		$	0.29		$	1.14
Dividends declared per share	$	0.28		$	0.30		$	0.29		$	0.31		$	1.18
Return on average assets	1.03		%	1.05		%	1.13		%	1.05		%	1.07		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	9.06		%	9.01		%	9.98		%	9.67		%	9.43		%
Interest income	$	67,605		$	66,305		$	71,923		$	75,097		$	280,930
Tax equivalent adjustment	366			255			216			218			1,055
Interest income - tax equivalent	67,971			66,560			72,139			75,315			281,985
Interest expense	5,629			6,459			7,093			8,408			27,589
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	62,342		$	60,101		$	65,046		$	66,907		$	254,396
Net interest margin	4.27		%	4.21		%	4.49		%	4.51		%	4.37		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	4.29		%	4.23		%	4.50		%	4.52		%	4.39		%
Full-time equivalent employees	1,439			1,475			1,525			1,513
(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 provided useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

5

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			% Change		% Change
	2013			2013			2012			2012			2012			Linked Qtr.		Comparable Qtr.
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	114,745		$	106,249		$	134,502		$	154,181		$	126,392		8.0	%	(9.2	)%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	2,671			1,170			24,341			21,495			9,187			128.3	%	(70.9	)%
Investment securities available-for-sale	884,694			952,039			1,032,096			689,680			724,518			(7.1	)%	22.1	%
Investment securities held-to-maturity	670,246			716,214			770,755			822,319			873,538			(6.4	)%	(23.3	)%
Other investments	75,645			75,375			71,492			71,492			71,492			0.4	%	5.8	%
Loans held for sale	18,650			28,126			16,256			23,530			20,971			(33.7	)%	(11.1	)%
Loans
Commercial	940,420			892,381			861,033			834,858			823,890			5.4	%	14.1	%
Real estate - construction	97,246			87,542			73,517			91,897			86,173			11.1	%	12.8	%
Real estate - commercial	1,477,226			1,433,182			1,417,008			1,338,636			1,321,446			3.1	%	11.8	%
Real estate - residential	343,016			330,260			318,210			299,654			292,503			3.9	%	17.3	%
Installment	50,781			53,509			56,810			59,191			61,590			(5.1	)%	(17.5	)%
Home equity	370,206			365,943			367,500			368,876			365,413			1.2	%	1.3	%
Credit card	33,222			32,465			34,198			31,604			31,486			2.3	%	5.5	%
Lease financing	70,011			53,556			50,788			41,343			30,109			30.7	%	132.5	%
Total loans, excluding covered loans	3,382,128			3,248,838			3,179,064			3,066,059			3,012,610			4.1	%	12.3	%
Less
Allowance for loan and lease losses	47,047			48,306			47,777			49,192			50,952			(2.6	)%	(7.7	)%
Net loans - uncovered	3,335,081			3,200,532			3,131,287			3,016,867			2,961,658			4.2	%	12.6	%
Covered loans	622,265			687,798			748,116			825,515			903,862			(9.5	)%	(31.2	)%
Less
Allowance for loan and lease losses	32,961			45,496			45,190			48,895			48,327			(27.6	)%	(31.8	)%
Net loans - covered	589,304			642,302			702,926			776,620			855,535			(8.3	)%	(31.1	)%
Net loans	3,924,385			3,842,834			3,834,213			3,793,487			3,817,193			2.1	%	2.8	%
Premises and equipment	142,675			146,889			146,716			146,603			142,744			(2.9	)%	0.0	%
Goodwill	95,050			95,050			95,050			95,050			95,050			0.0	%	0.0	%
Other intangibles	6,620			7,078			7,648			8,327			9,195			(6.5	)%	(28.0	)%
FDIC indemnification asset	88,966			112,428			119,607			130,476			146,765			(20.9	)%	(39.4	)%
Accrued interest and other assets	250,228			265,565			244,372			278,447			245,632			(5.8	)%	1.9	%
Total Assets	$	6,274,575		$	6,349,017		$	6,497,048		$	6,235,087		$	6,282,677		(1.2	)%	(0.1	)%
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,131,466		$	1,113,940		$	1,160,815		$	1,112,843		$	1,154,852		1.6	%	(2.0	)%
Savings	1,601,122			1,620,874			1,623,614			1,568,818			1,543,619			(1.2	)%	3.7	%
Time	978,680			1,030,124			1,068,637			1,199,296			1,331,758			(5.0	)%	(26.5	)%
Total interest-bearing deposits	3,711,268			3,764,938			3,853,066			3,880,957			4,030,229			(1.4	)%	(7.9	)%
Noninterest-bearing	1,059,368			1,056,409			1,102,774			1,063,654			1,071,520			0.3	%	(1.1	)%
Total deposits	4,770,636			4,821,347			4,955,840			4,944,611			5,101,749			(1.1	)%	(6.5	)%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	114,030			130,863			122,570			88,190			73,919			(12.9	)%	54.3	%
FHLB short-term borrowings	505,900			502,200			502,000			283,000			176,000			0.7	%	187.4	%
Total short-term borrowings	619,930			633,063			624,570			371,190			249,919			(2.1	)%	148.1	%
Long-term debt	73,957			74,498			75,202			75,521			75,120			(0.7	)%	(1.5	)%
Total borrowed funds	693,887			707,561			699,772			446,711			325,039			(1.9	)%	113.5	%
Accrued interest and other liabilities	114,600			118,495			131,011			127,799			139,101			(3.3	)%	(17.6	)%
Total Liabilities	5,579,123			5,647,403			5,786,623			5,519,121			5,565,889			(1.2	)%	0.2	%
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	576,641			575,514			579,293			578,129			576,929			0.2	%	0.0	%
Retained earnings	329,633			327,635			330,004			330,014			331,315			0.6	%	(0.5	)%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(25,645		)	(21,475		)	(18,677		)	(18,855		)	(18,172		)	19.4	%	41.1	%
Treasury stock, at cost	(185,177		)	(180,060		)	(180,195		)	(173,322		)	(173,284		)	2.8	%	6.9	%
Total Shareholders' Equity	695,452			701,614			710,425			715,966			716,788			(0.9	)%	(3.0	)%
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	6,274,575		$	6,349,017		$	6,497,048		$	6,235,087		$	6,282,677		(1.2	)%	(0.1	)%

6

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Quarterly Averages															Year-to-Date Averages
	Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Jun. 30,
	2013			2013			2012			2012			2012			2013			2012
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	119,909		$	111,599		$	118,619		$	118,642		$	121,114		$	115,777		$	122,374
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	13,890			3,056			5,146			11,390			4,454			8,503			65,392
Investment securities	1,705,219			1,838,783			1,746,961			1,606,313			1,713,503			1,771,632			1,689,073
Loans held for sale	19,722			21,096			18,054			26,035			19,554			20,405			19,638
Loans
Commercial	904,029			863,427			819,262			811,998			827,722			883,840			838,907
Real estate - construction	93,813			81,171			85,219			92,051			99,087			87,527			106,016
Real estate - commercial	1,445,626			1,411,769			1,373,781			1,322,369			1,279,869			1,428,791			1,257,741
Real estate - residential	334,652			323,768			307,580			293,423			290,335			329,240			289,042
Installment	52,313			54,684			58,283			60,691			62,846			53,492			64,074
Home equity	367,408			365,568			368,605			365,669			361,166			366,493			359,763
Credit card	33,785			33,300			32,954			31,977			31,383			33,544			31,292
Lease financing	62,383			50,998			44,022			33,521			23,334			56,722			20,929
Total loans, excluding covered loans	3,294,009			3,184,685			3,089,706			3,011,699			2,975,742			3,239,649			2,967,764
Less
Allowance for loan and lease losses	50,172			49,408			50,172			51,486			50,353			49,792			51,933
Net loans - uncovered	3,243,837			3,135,277			3,039,534			2,960,213			2,925,389			3,189,857			2,915,831
Covered loans	653,892			724,846			794,838			866,486			950,226			689,173			985,223
Less
Allowance for loan and lease losses	41,861			46,104			48,553			51,150			47,964			43,971			47,558
Net loans - covered	612,031			678,742			746,285			815,336			902,262			645,202			937,665
Net loans	3,855,868			3,814,019			3,785,819			3,775,549			3,827,651			3,835,059			3,853,496
Premises and equipment	144,759			147,355			148,047			145,214			143,261			146,050			141,819
Goodwill	95,050			95,050			95,050			95,050			95,050			95,050			95,050
Other intangibles	6,831			7,346			8,001			8,702			9,770			7,087			10,138
FDIC indemnification asset	104,983			115,344			125,264			136,136			149,788			110,135			154,619
Accrued interest and other assets	244,371			237,401			243,123			243,636			250,828			240,906			255,353
Total Assets	$	6,310,602		$	6,391,049		$	6,294,084		$	6,166,667		$	6,334,973		$	6,350,604		$	6,406,952
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,141,767		$	1,112,664		$	1,145,800		$	1,164,111		$	1,192,868		$	1,127,296		$	1,239,032
Savings	1,639,834			1,618,239			1,640,427			1,588,708			1,610,411			1,629,096			1,646,459
Time	1,011,290			1,054,499			1,126,627			1,260,329			1,406,800			1,032,775			1,492,124
Total interest-bearing deposits	3,792,891			3,785,402			3,912,854			4,013,148			4,210,079			3,789,167			4,377,615
Noninterest-bearing	1,063,102			1,049,943			1,112,072			1,052,421			1,044,405			1,056,559			987,876
Total deposits	4,855,993			4,835,345			5,024,926			5,065,569			5,254,484			4,845,726			5,365,491
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	105,299			134,709			100,087			81,147			80,715			119,923			83,303
FHLB short-term borrowings	464,630			525,878			263,895			100,758			78,966			495,085			39,483
Total short-term borrowings	569,929			660,587			363,982			181,905			159,681			615,008			122,786
Long-term debt	74,129			74,740			75,326			75,435			75,314			74,433			75,667
Total borrowed funds	644,058			735,327			439,308			257,340			234,995			689,441			198,453
Accrued interest and other liabilities	106,747			111,515			115,477			126,961			128,383			109,118			131,179
Total Liabilities	5,606,798			5,682,187			5,579,711			5,449,870			5,617,862			5,644,285			5,695,123
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	576,391			578,452			578,691			577,547			576,276			577,416			577,395
Retained earnings	329,795			330,879			331,414			330,368			332,280			330,334			328,325
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(19,204		)	(19,576		)	(19,612		)	(17,756		)	(18,242		)	(19,389		)	(19,293		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(183,178		)	(180,893		)	(176,120		)	(173,362		)	(173,203		)	(182,042		)	(174,598		)
Total Shareholders' Equity	703,804			708,862			714,373			716,797			717,111			706,319			711,829
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	6,310,602		$	6,391,049		$	6,294,084		$	6,166,667		$	6,334,973		$	6,350,604		$	6,406,952

7

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS (1)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Quarterly Averages															Year-to-Date Averages
	Jun. 30, 2013					Mar. 31, 2013					Jun. 30, 2012					Jun. 30, 2013					Jun. 30, 2012
	Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield
Earning assets
Investments:
Investment securities	$	1,705,219		2.08	%	$	1,838,783		1.98	%	$	1,713,503		2.46	%	$	1,771,632		2.03	%	$	1,689,073		2.53	%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	13,890			0.32	%	3,056			0.53	%	4,454			0.18	%	8,503			0.36	%	65,392			0.28	%
Gross loans (2)	4,072,606			5.26	%	4,045,971			5.47	%	4,095,310			6.02	%	4,059,362			5.37	%	4,127,244			6.15	%
Total earning assets	5,791,715			4.32	%	5,887,810			4.37	%	5,813,267			4.96	%	5,839,497			4.35	%	5,881,709			5.04	%
Nonearning assets
Allowance for loan and lease losses	(92,033		)			(95,512		)			(98,317		)			(93,763		)			(99,491		)
Cash and due from banks	119,909					111,599					121,114					115,777					122,374
Accrued interest and other assets	491,011					487,152					498,909					489,093					502,360
Total assets	$	6,310,602				$	6,391,049				$	6,334,973				$	6,350,604				$	6,406,952
Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,141,767		0.09	%	$	1,112,664		0.12	%	$	1,192,868		0.11	%	$	1,127,296		0.10	%	$	1,239,032		0.12	%
Savings	1,639,834			0.10	%	1,618,239			0.10	%	1,610,411			0.12	%	1,629,096			0.10	%	1,646,459			0.13	%
Time	1,011,290			1.04	%	1,054,499			1.20	%	1,406,800			1.60	%	1,032,775			1.12	%	1,492,124			1.66	%
Total interest-bearing deposits	3,792,891			0.35	%	3,785,402			0.41	%	4,210,079			0.61	%	3,789,167			0.38	%	4,377,615			0.65	%
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	569,929			0.21	%	660,587			0.20	%	159,681			0.09	%	615,008			0.21	%	122,786			0.08	%
Long-term debt	74,129			3.54	%	74,740			3.55	%	75,314			3.59	%	74,433			3.54	%	75,667			3.61	%
Total borrowed funds	644,058			0.60	%	735,327			0.54	%	234,995			1.22	%	689,441			0.57	%	198,453			1.43	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	4,436,949			0.38	%	4,520,729			0.43	%	4,445,074			0.64	%	4,478,608			0.41	%	4,576,068			0.68	%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	1,063,102					1,049,943					1,044,405					1,056,559					987,876
Other liabilities	106,747					111,515					128,383					109,118					131,179
Shareholders' equity	703,804					708,862					717,111					706,319					711,829
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity	$	6,310,602				$	6,391,049				$	6,334,973				$	6,350,604				$	6,406,952
Net interest income (1)	$	58,078				$	58,666				$	64,830				$	116,744				$	131,519
Net interest spread (1)				3.94	%				3.94	%				4.32	%				3.94	%				4.36	%
Net interest margin (1)				4.02	%				4.04	%				4.49	%				4.03	%				4.50	%
(1) Not tax equivalent.
(2) Loans held for sale, nonaccrual loans, covered loans, and indemnification asset are included in gross loans.

8

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS (1)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Linked Qtr. Income Variance									Comparable Qtr. Income Variance									Year-to-Date Income Variance
	Rate			Volume			Total			Rate			Volume			Total			Rate			Volume			Total
Earning assets
Investment securities	$	488		$	(589	)	$	(101	)	$	(1,602	)	$	(43	)	$	(1,645	)	$	(4,170	)	$	830		$	(3,340	)
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	(2		)	9			7			2			7			9			24			(100		)	(76		)
Gross loans (2)	(2,027		)	933			(1,094		)	(7,668		)	(298		)	(7,966		)	(15,968		)	(1,806		)	(17,774		)
Total earning assets	(1,541		)	353			(1,188		)	(9,268		)	(334		)	(9,602		)	(20,114		)	(1,076		)	(21,190		)
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits	$	(619	)	$	43		$	(576	)	$	(2,736	)	$	(361	)	$	(3,097	)	$	(5,844	)	$	(1,109	)	$	(6,953	)
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	21			(45		)	(24		)	48			220			268			78			507			585
Long-term debt	(2		)	2			0			(11		)	(10		)	(21		)	(25		)	(22		)	(47		)
Total borrowed funds	19			(43		)	(24		)	37			210			247			53			485			538
Total interest-bearing liabilities	(600		)	0			(600		)	(2,699		)	(151		)	(2,850		)	(5,791		)	(624		)	(6,415		)
Net interest income (1)	$	(941	)	$	353		$	(588	)	$	(6,569	)	$	(183	)	$	(6,752	)	$	(14,323	)	$	(452	)	$	(14,775	)
(1) Not tax equivalent.
(2) Loans held for sale, nonaccrual loans, covered loans, and indemnification asset are included in gross loans.

9

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CREDIT QUALITY
(excluding covered assets)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
																Six months ended,
	Jun. 30,			Mar 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Jun. 30,			Jun. 30,
	2013			2013			2012			2012			2012			2013			2012
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period	$	48,306		$	47,777		$	49,192		$	50,952		$	49,437		$	47,777		$	52,576
Provision for uncovered loan and lease losses	2,409			3,041			3,882			3,613			8,364			5,450			11,622
Gross charge-offs
Commercial	859			781			657			1,340			1,129			1,640			2,315
Real estate - construction	0			0			0			180			717			0			2,504
Real estate - commercial	2,044			995			2,221			2,736			3,811			3,039			6,055
Real estate - residential	326			223			454			565			191			549			795
Installment	97			100			267			134			116			197			176
Home equity	591			701			1,722			380			915			1,292			1,559
Other	277			410			227			469			259			687			556
Total gross charge-offs	4,194			3,210			5,548			5,804			7,138			7,404			13,960
Recoveries
Commercial	67			319			71			202			48			386			120
Real estate - construction	0			136			0			0			0			136			0
Real estate - commercial	57			39			46			38			68			96			181
Real estate - residential	5			4			3			33			9			9			37
Installment	110			77			53			72			75			187			198
Home equity	225			52			32			31			28			277			52
Other	62			71			46			55			61			133			126
Total recoveries	526			698			251			431			289			1,224			714
Total net charge-offs	3,668			2,512			5,297			5,373			6,849			6,180			13,246
Ending allowance for uncovered loan and lease losses	$	47,047		$	48,306		$	47,777		$	49,192		$	50,952		$	47,047		$	50,952
NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
Commercial	0.35		%	0.22		%	0.28		%	0.56		%	0.53		%	0.29		%	0.53		%
Real estate - construction	0.00		%	(0.68		)%	0.00		%	0.78		%	2.91		%	(0.31		)%	4.75		%
Real estate - commercial	0.55		%	0.27		%	0.63		%	0.81		%	1.18		%	0.42		%	0.94		%
Real estate - residential	0.38		%	0.27		%	0.58		%	0.72		%	0.25		%	0.33		%	0.53		%
Installment	(0.10		)%	0.17		%	1.46		%	0.41		%	0.26		%	0.04		%	(0.07		)%
Home equity	0.40		%	0.72		%	1.82		%	0.38		%	0.99		%	0.56		%	0.84		%
Other	0.90		%	1.63		%	0.94		%	2.51		%	1.46		%	1.24		%	1.66		%
Total net charge-offs	0.45		%	0.32		%	0.68		%	0.71		%	0.93		%	0.38		%	0.90		%
COMPONENTS OF NONPERFORMING LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual loans
Commercial	$	2,904		$	4,044		$	10,562		$	4,563		$	12,065		$	2,904		$	12,065
Real estate - construction	808			945			950			2,536			7,243			808			7,243
Real estate - commercial	30,977			30,311			31,002			33,961			36,116			30,977			36,116
Real estate - residential	5,149			4,371			5,045			5,563			5,069			5,149			5,069
Installment	153			211			376			284			319			153			319
Home equity	1,576			1,750			2,499			2,497			2,281			1,576			2,281
Lease financing	496			496			496			0			0			496			0
Nonaccrual loans	42,063			42,128			50,930			49,404			63,093			42,063			63,093
Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs)
Accruing	12,924			12,757			10,856			11,604			9,909			12,924			9,909
Nonaccrual	19,948			22,324			14,111			13,017			10,185			19,948			10,185
Total TDRs	32,872			35,081			24,967			24,621			20,094			32,872			20,094
Total nonperforming loans	74,935			77,209			75,897			74,025			83,187			74,935			83,187
Other real estate owned (OREO)	11,798			11,993			12,526			13,912			15,688			11,798			15,688
Total nonperforming assets	86,733			89,202			88,423			87,937			98,875			86,733			98,875
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	158			157			212			108			143			158			143
Total underperforming assets	$	86,891		$	89,359		$	88,635		$	88,045		$	99,018		$	86,891		$	99,018
Total classified assets	$	129,832		$	130,436		$	129,040		$	133,382		$	145,621		$	129,832		$	145,621
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS (excluding covered assets)
Allowance for loan and lease losses to
Nonaccrual loans	111.85		%	114.66		%	93.81		%	99.57		%	80.76		%	111.85		%	80.76		%
Nonaccrual loans plus nonaccrual TDRs	75.87		%	74.95		%	73.46		%	78.81		%	69.53		%	75.87		%	69.53		%
Nonperforming loans	62.78		%	62.57		%	62.95		%	66.45		%	61.25		%	62.78		%	61.25		%
Total ending loans	1.39		%	1.49		%	1.50		%	1.60		%	1.69		%	1.39		%	1.69		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	2.22		%	2.38		%	2.39		%	2.41		%	2.76		%	2.22		%	2.76		%
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO	2.56		%	2.74		%	2.77		%	2.86		%	3.27		%	2.56		%	3.27		%
Total assets	1.38		%	1.40		%	1.36		%	1.41		%	1.57		%	1.38		%	1.57		%
Nonperforming assets, excluding accruing TDRs to
Ending loans, plus OREO	2.17		%	2.34		%	2.43		%	2.48		%	2.94		%	2.17		%	2.94		%
Total assets	1.18		%	1.20		%	1.19		%	1.22		%	1.42		%	1.18		%	1.42		%

10

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
																Six months ended,
	Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Jun. 30,			Jun. 30,
	2013			2013			2012			2012			2012			2013			2012
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
High	$	16.05		$	16.07		$	16.95		$	17.86		$	17.70		$	16.07		$	18.28
Low	$	14.52		$	14.46		$	13.90		$	15.58		$	14.88		$	14.46		$	14.88
Close	$	14.90		$	16.05		$	14.62		$	16.91		$	15.98		$	14.90		$	15.98
Average shares outstanding - basic	57,291,994			57,439,029			57,800,988			57,976,943			57,933,281			57,365,105			57,864,269
Average shares outstanding - diluted	58,128,349			58,283,467			58,670,666			58,940,179			58,958,279			58,206,503			58,921,689
Ending shares outstanding	57,698,344			58,028,923			58,046,235			58,510,916			58,513,393			57,698,344			58,513,393
REGULATORY CAPITAL	Preliminary															Preliminary
Tier 1 Capital	$	630,819		$	632,020		$	637,176		$	641,828		$	640,644		$	630,819		$	640,644
Tier 1 Ratio	15.41		%	15.87		%	16.32		%	16.93		%	17.14		%	15.41		%	17.14		%
Total Capital	$	682,927		$	682,974		$	686,961		$	690,312		$	688,401		$	682,927		$	688,401
Total Capital Ratio	16.68		%	17.15		%	17.60		%	18.21		%	18.42		%	16.68		%	18.42		%
Total Capital in excess of minimum
requirement	$	355,435		$	364,376		$	374,633		$	387,115		$	389,367		$	355,435		$	389,367
Total Risk-Weighted Assets	$	4,093,644		$	3,982,479		$	3,904,096		$	3,789,957		$	3,737,920		$	4,093,644		$	3,737,920
Leverage Ratio	10.12		%	10.00		%	10.25		%	10.54		%	10.21		%	10.12		%	10.21		%
OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets	11.08		%	11.05		%	10.93		%	11.48		%	11.41		%	11.08		%	11.41		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets	9.62		%	9.60		%	9.50		%	9.99		%	9.91		%	9.62		%	9.91		%
Average shareholders' equity to average assets	11.15		%	11.09		%	11.35		%	11.62		%	11.32		%	11.12		%	11.11		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets	9.70		%	9.65		%	9.88		%	10.12		%	9.84		%	9.68		%	9.64		%
REPURCHASE PROGRAM (1)
Shares repurchased	291,400			249,000			460,500			0			0			540,400			0
Average share repurchase price	$	15.47		$	15.39		$	14.78		N/A			N/A			$	15.43		N/A
Total cost of shares repurchased	$	4,508		$	3,831		$	6,806		N/A			N/A			$	8,339		N/A
(1) Represents share repurchases as part of publicly announced plans.
N/A=Not applicable

11

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON COVERED ASSETS

ACCELERATED DISCOUNT ON LOAN PREPAYMENTS AND DISPOSITIONS

During the second quarter, First Financial recognized approximately $1.9 million in accelerated discount from covered loans, net of the corresponding adjustment on the FDIC indemnification asset. Accelerated discount is recognized when covered loans, which are recorded on the Company's balance sheet at an amount less than the unpaid principal balance, prepay at an amount greater than their recorded book value. Prepayments can occur through either customer driven payments before the maturity date or loan sales. The amount of discount attributable to the credit loss component of each loan varies and the recognized amount is offset by a related reduction in the FDIC indemnification asset. Accelerated discount recognized during the quarter resulted primarily from loan prepayments.

NET INTEREST MARGIN IMPACT

Net interest margin is affected by certain activity related to the covered loan portfolio. The majority of these loans are accounted for under FASB ASC Topic 310-30 and, as such, the Company is required to periodically update its forecast of expected cash flows from these loans. Impairment, as a result of a decrease in expected cash flows, is recognized as provision expense in the period it is measured and has no impact on net interest margin. Improvements in expected cash flows, in excess of any prior impairment, are recognized on a prospective basis through an upward adjustment to the yield earned on the portfolio. Impairment and improvement are both partially offset by the impact of changes in the value of the FDIC indemnification asset. Impairment is partially offset by an increase to the FDIC indemnification asset as a result of FDIC loss sharing income. Improvement, which is reflected as a higher yield, is partially offset by a lower yield earned on the FDIC indemnification asset until the next periodic valuation of the loans and the indemnification asset. The weighted average yield of the acquired loan portfolio may also be subject to change as loans with higher yields pay down more quickly or slowly than loans with lower yields.

The following table shows the estimated yield earned by the Company on its covered and uncovered loan portfolios and the FDIC indemnification asset for the three months ended June 30, 2013.

Table VII
	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Average
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance		Yield
Loans, excluding covered loans 1	$	3,313,731	4.56%
Covered loan portfolio accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30 2	584,360		10.45%
Covered loan portfolio accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30 3	69,532		12.06%
FDIC indemnification asset 2	104,983		(5.99)%
Total	$	4,072,606	5.26%
1 Includes loans with loss share coverage removed
2  Future yield adjustments subject to change based on required, periodic valuation procedures
3  Includes loans with revolving privileges which are scoped out of ASC Topic 310-30 and certain loans which the Company elected to treat under the cost recovery method of accounting

12

COVERED ASSETS

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio as of June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and June 30, 2012.

Table VIII
	As of
	June 30, 2013				March 31, 2013				June 30, 2012
			Percent				Percent				Percent
(Dollars in thousands)	Balance		of Total		Balance		of Total		Balance		of Total
Commercial	$	69,562	11.2	%	$	90,424	13.1	%	$	142,009	15.7	%
Real estate - construction	9,647		1.6	%	9,866		1.4	%	15,333		1.7	%
Real estate - commercial	389,282		62.6	%	425,950		61.9	%	556,673		61.6	%
Real estate - residential	90,707		14.6	%	95,991		14.0	%	111,720		12.4	%
Installment	7,057		1.1	%	7,640		1.1	%	11,641		1.3	%
Home equity	53,214		8.6	%	55,021		8.0	%	63,162		7	%
Other	2,796		0.4	%	2,906		0.4	%	3,324		0.4	%
Total	$	622,265	100.0	%	$	687,798	100.0	%	$	903,862	100.0	%

As of June 30, 2013, 15.5% of the Company's total loans were covered loans. During the second quarter, the total balance of covered loans decreased $65.5 million, or 9.5%, compared to the prior quarter. As required under the loss sharing agreements, First Financial must file monthly certifications with the FDIC on single-family residential loans and quarterly certifications on all other loans. The payment of claims is subject to the FDIC's review for compliance with the loss sharing agreements and to date, all certifications have been filed in a timely manner and without significant issues.

Covered OREO decreased $6.9 million, or 23.4%, during the second quarter to $22.5 million as of June 30, 2013 as resolutions and valuation adjustments of $13.1 million exceeded additions of $6.2 million during the quarter. Additionally, the Company recognized a net gain on sales of covered OREO of $2.2 million during the quarter. The net gain was offset by a corresponding reduction in FDIC loss sharing income of approximately 80% of the net gains recognized.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES - COVERED

Under the applicable accounting guidance, the allowance for loan losses related to covered loans is a result of impairment identified in ongoing valuation procedures and is generally recognized in the current period as provision expense. However, if improvement is noted in a loan pool that had previously experienced impairment, the amount of improvement is recognized as a reduction to the applicable period's provision expense. Additional improvement beyond previously recorded impairment is reflected as a yield adjustment on a prospective basis. The timing inherent in this accounting treatment may result in earnings volatility in future periods.

13

The following table presents activity in the allowance for loan losses related to covered loans for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and for the trailing three quarters.

Table IX
	As of or for the Three Months Ended
	June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2013			2012			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	45,496		$	45,190		$	48,895		$	48,327
Provision for loan and lease losses - covered	(8,283		)	9,042			5,283			6,622
Total gross charge-offs	(4,681		)	(9,684		)	(9,568		)	(9,058		)
Total recoveries	429			948			580			3,004
Total net charge-offs	(4,252		)	(8,736		)	(8,988		)	(6,054		)
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses - covered	$	32,961		$	45,496		$	45,190		$	48,895

As a percentage of total covered loans, the allowance for loan losses totaled 5.30% as of June 30, 2013 compared to 6.61% as of March 31, 2013.

During the quarter, the Company implemented certain enhancements to its valuation methodology and the estimation of impairment to place greater emphasis on changes in total expected cash flows and less emphasis on changes in the net present value of expected cash flows. As a result of these changes in estimates, the allowance for loan losses related to covered loans was reduced by $7.8 million with an equivalent amount reflected in the negative provision for covered loan losses for the quarter. The Company also recognized a corresponding reduction in the FDIC indemnification asset of $6.3 million related to these changes in estimates with an equivalent amount reflected in the negative FDIC loss sharing income for the quarter.

Net charge-offs on covered loans during the second quarter were $4.3 million compared to $8.7 million for the first quarter, a decrease of $4.5 million, or 51.3%. During the second quarter, the Company recognized a negative provision expense of $8.3 million compared to a provision expense of $9.0 million for the linked quarter. The difference between provision expense and net charge-offs primarily relates to the quarterly re-estimation of cash flow expectations required under FASB ASC Topic 310-30.

In addition to the provision expense, the Company incurred loss sharing and covered asset expenses of $1.6 million, consisting primarily of credit expenses, offset by $2.2 million of net gains related to covered OREO. The negative FDIC loss sharing income for the quarter reflects the quarterly re-estimation of expected cash flows, including the enhancements to the quarterly estimation discussed above, as well as the corresponding offset related to the net gains on sales of covered OREO and loss sharing and covered asset expenses.

14