8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 25, 2017

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	31-1042001
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. employer identification number)

Commission file number: 001-34762

255 East Fifth Street, Suite 700, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (877) 322-9530

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined

in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not

to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting

standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 2.02Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 25, 2017, First Financial Bancorp. issued its earnings press release that included the results of operations and financial condition for the first six months and second quarter of 2017. A copy of the earnings press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1. First Financial Bancorp. also provided electronic presentation slides on its web site used in connection with the earnings conference call. A copy of the electronic presentation slides is included in this Report as Exhibit 99.2.

The information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01Financial Statements andExhibits.

(d)    Exhibits:

The following exhibits shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of the Securities Act.

99.1    First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated July 25, 2017 - Furnished.

99.2    First Financial Bancorp. July 25, 2017 Earnings Call slides - Furnished.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

		By: /s/ John M. Gavigan
		John M. Gavigan
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date:	July 25, 2017

Form 8-KFirst Financial Bancorp.

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.Description

99.1            First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated July 25, 2017.

99.2            First Financial Bancorp. July 25, 2017 Earnings Call slides.

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

First Financial Bancorp. Announces Second Quarter Results

Year to Date Earnings per Share Increase of 12% Compared to 2016;

Announces Strategic Merger with MainSource Financial Group

Cincinnati, Ohio - July 25, 2017 - First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial” or the “Company”) announced financial results for the second quarter 2017. For the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company reported net income of $22.7 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share. These results compare to net income of $24.4 million, or $0.39 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2017 and $22.6 million, or $0.36 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2016. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, First Financial had earnings per diluted common

share of $0.76 compared to $0.68 for the same period in 2016.

Return on average assets for the second quarter of 2017 was 1.06% while return on average tangible common equity was 13.42%. These compare to a return on average assets of 1.18% and return on average tangible common equity of 14.98% in the first quarter of 2017 and a return on average assets of 1.11% and a return on average tangible common equity of 14.49% in the second quarter of 2016.

Additionally, First Financial's board of directors has authorized a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per common share for the next regularly scheduled dividend, payable on October 2, 2017 to shareholders of record as of September 1, 2017.

Second quarter 2017 highlights include:

• Net income increased $4.8 million, or 11.3%, year to date compared to 2016; $1.7 million, or 6.9%, decline compared to the linked quarter

• Strong second quarter loan growth of $119.7 million, or 2.1%, compared to the linked quarter; loan balances increased $172.6 million, or 3.0%, compared to second quarter 2016

• Average deposits increased $128.4 million, or 2.0%, from the linked quarter; $261.7 million, or 4.1%, increase compared to second quarter 2016

• Net interest margin of 3.50% on a GAAP basis; margin declined 14 basis points to 3.56% on a fully tax equivalent basis due to lower prepayment fees and other factors

• Solid credit performance with lower classified and nonperforming asset balances, in addition to stable net charge-offs, resulting in $0.5 million of provision expense

• Stable capital ratios; tier 1 ratio of 10.54%, total ratio of 13.05% and leverage ratio of 8.69%

• Efficiency ratio of 60.0% compared to 59.2% in the linked quarter and 56.6% in second quarter 2016

Claude Davis, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Consistent earnings and strong loan demand marked the second quarter of 2017, which was our 107th consecutive quarter of profitability. We believe that the growing loan demand and solid credit quality metrics evident during the quarter position us for a strong second half to the year. Lower income from loan prepayment fees, which can be volatile, coupled with higher nonaccrual loan balances and changes in our earning asset and funding mix resulted in a net

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interest margin that fell short of our expectations. We are taking proactive steps to reduce expenses and contain funding costs should margin remain under pressure in the back half of the year."

"In addition to announcing our quarterly results, we are extremely excited to announce the merger agreement with MainSource Financial Group, Inc, which we believe to be a perfect strategic complement to our existing business. We are confident that the increases in scale, geographic reach and talent will enhance First Financial’s ability to deliver a superior banking and client service experience. While our integration planning activities will be intense in the months ahead, we will not be distracted from meeting the needs of our commercial and consumer clients and continuing to deliver long-term value for our shareholders through our premier business bank strategy.”

This release announcing our second quarter 2017 financial results includes an accompanying slide presentation, which management intends to refer to during the conference call on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. 

Teleconference / Webcast Information

First Financial’s executive management will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 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 10104461. 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 June 30, 2017, the Company had $8.7 billion in assets, $5.9 billion in loans, $6.5 billion in deposits and $898.1 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 $2.6 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2017. The Company’s primary operating markets are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky where it operates 102 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.

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Forward-Looking Statement

This earnings release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not based on historical or current facts, but rather on our current beliefs, expectations, assumptions and projections about our business, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements often include words such as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ “likely,” “expected,” ‘‘intends,’’ “could,” “should,” and other similar references to future periods. 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. 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 Company’s Annual Report on 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.

Forward-looking statements are meaningful only on the date when such statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date on which a forward-looking statement is made.

Contact Information

Investors/AnalystsMedia

John Gavigan                        Lynda Crossan

Chief Financial Officer                    Marketing Director

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

InvestorRelations@bankatfirst.comLynda.Crossan@bankatfirst.com

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Selected Financial Information

June 30, 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,															Six months ended,
	Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Jun. 30,
	2017			2017			2016			2016			2016			2017			2016
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income	$	22,736		$	24,414		$	23,294		$	22,850		$	22,568		$	47,150		$	42,382
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.37		$	0.40		$	0.38		$	0.37		$	0.37		$	0.77		$	0.69
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.38		$	0.37		$	0.36		$	0.76		$	0.68
Dividends declared per share	$	0.17		$	0.17		$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.16		$	0.34		$	0.32
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets	1.06		%	1.18		%	1.11		%	1.09		%	1.11		%	1.12		%	1.04		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.25		%	11.36		%	10.73		%	10.62		%	10.84		%	10.80		%	10.27		%
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity	13.42		%	14.98		%	14.19		%	14.08		%	14.49		%	14.18		%	13.78		%
Net interest margin	3.50		%	3.63		%	3.66		%	3.61		%	3.61		%	3.56		%	3.62		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	3.56		%	3.70		%	3.71		%	3.66		%	3.67		%	3.63		%	3.67		%
Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets	10.31		%	10.32		%	10.25		%	10.29		%	10.19		%	10.31		%	10.19		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets	8.09		%	8.05		%	7.96		%	7.97		%	7.85		%	8.09		%	7.85		%
Risk-weighted assets	9.92		%	9.90		%	9.73		%	9.63		%	9.51		%	9.92		%	9.51		%
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets	10.36		%	10.36		%	10.33		%	10.29		%	10.21		%	10.36		%	10.16		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of
average tangible assets	8.12		%	8.06		%	8.01		%	7.96		%	7.83		%	8.09		%	7.78		%
Book value per share	$	14.45		$	14.16		$	13.96		$	13.90		$	13.67		$	14.45		$	13.67
Tangible book value per share	$	11.07		$	10.78		$	10.56		$	10.50		$	10.26		$	11.07		$	10.26
Common equity tier 1 ratio (2)	10.54		%	10.59		%	10.46		%	10.20		%	10.07		%	10.54		%	10.07		%
Tier 1 ratio (2)	10.54		%	10.59		%	10.46		%	10.20		%	10.07		%	10.54		%	10.07		%
Total capital ratio (2)	13.05		%	13.19		%	13.10		%	12.82		%	12.70		%	13.05		%	12.70		%
Leverage ratio (2)	8.69		%	8.69		%	8.60		%	8.45		%	8.38		%	8.69		%	8.38		%
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans (3)	$	5,789,610		$	5,736,513		$	5,780,865		$	5,743,773		$	5,569,080		$	5,763,208		$	5,493,446
FDIC indemnification asset	10,327			11,520			12,782			14,031			15,404			10,920			16,271
Investment securities	2,035,334			1,906,699			1,816,944			1,811,240			1,869,540			1,971,372			1,904,156
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	20,293			40,985			19,557			22,116			21,687			30,582			22,989
Total earning assets	$	7,855,564		$	7,695,717		$	7,630,148		$	7,591,160		$	7,475,711		$	7,776,082		$	7,436,862
Total assets	$	8,582,961		$	8,409,071		$	8,359,912		$	8,322,156		$	8,203,837		$	8,496,496		$	8,161,391
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	1,513,995		$	1,499,097		$	1,544,598		$	1,453,842		$	1,441,068		$	1,506,587		$	1,413,918
Interest-bearing deposits	5,056,223			4,942,766			5,012,613			4,746,887			4,867,439			4,999,808			4,808,346
Total deposits	$	6,570,218		$	6,441,863		$	6,557,211		$	6,200,729		$	6,308,507		$	6,506,395		$	6,222,264
Borrowings	$	995,132		$	968,326		$	815,928		$	1,153,042		$	965,951		$	981,803		$	1,015,845
Shareholders' equity	$	889,604		$	871,215		$	863,509		$	856,296		$	837,412		$	880,460		$	829,500
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans	0.93		%	0.98		%	1.01		%	1.00		%	0.99		%	0.93		%	0.99		%
Allowance to nonaccrual loans	150.05		%	169.85		%	326.91		%	314.84		%	254.56		%	150.05		%	254.56		%
Allowance to nonperforming loans	96.77		%	89.25		%	120.83		%	114.17		%	112.74		%	96.77		%	112.74		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	0.97		%	1.10		%	0.83		%	0.87		%	0.88		%	0.97		%	0.88		%
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO	1.07		%	1.19		%	0.94		%	1.00		%	1.04		%	1.07		%	1.04		%
Nonperforming assets to total assets	0.72		%	0.80		%	0.64		%	0.69		%	0.72		%	0.72		%	0.72		%
Classified assets to total assets	1.13		%	1.34		%	1.48		%	1.70		%	1.72		%	1.13		%	1.72		%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)	0.13		%	0.14		%	0.17		%	0.05		%	0.08		%	0.14		%	0.09		%

(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, 2017 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.

(3) Includes loans held for sale.

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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,
	2017			2016			% Change		2017			2016			% Change
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$	67,748		$	64,424		5.2	%	$	134,616		$	127,823		5.3	%
Investment securities
Taxable	12,598			10,706			17.7	%	24,206			22,079			9.6	%
Tax-exempt	1,457			1,156			26.0	%	2,810			2,318			21.2	%
Total investment securities interest	14,055			11,862			18.5	%	27,016			24,397			10.7	%
Other earning assets	(1,014		)	(1,103		)	8.1	%	(2,015		)	(2,242		)	(10.1	)%
Total interest income	80,789			75,183			7.5	%	159,617			149,978			6.4	%
Interest expense
Deposits	8,679			5,457			59.0	%	15,604			10,987			42.0	%
Short-term borrowings	2,051			1,053			94.8	%	3,483			2,223			56.7	%
Long-term borrowings	1,539			1,541			(0.1	)%	3,078			3,081			(0.1	)%
Total interest expense	12,269			8,051			52.4	%	22,165			16,291			36.1	%
Net interest income	68,520			67,132			2.1	%	137,452			133,687			2.8	%
Provision for loan and lease losses	467			4,037			(88.4	)%	834			5,692			(85.3	)%
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses	68,053			63,095			7.9	%	136,618			127,995			6.7	%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	4,772			4,455			7.1	%	9,416			8,836			6.6	%
Trust and wealth management fees	3,405			3,283			3.7	%	7,152			6,723			6.4	%
Bankcard income	3,501			3,130			11.9	%	6,636			6,012			10.4	%
Client derivative fees	1,489			1,799			(17.2	)%	2,592			2,894			(10.4	)%
Net gains from sales of loans	1,327			1,846			(28.1	)%	2,543			3,027			(16.0	)%
Net gains on sale of investment securities	838			(188		)	N/M		1,354			(164		)	N/M
Other	2,122			5,869			(63.8	)%	5,125			8,378			(38.8	)%
Total noninterest income	17,454			20,194			(13.6	)%	34,818			35,706			(2.5	)%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	31,544			29,526			6.8	%	63,294			59,141			7.0	%
Net occupancy	4,302			4,491			(4.2	)%	8,817			9,448			(6.7	)%
Furniture and equipment	2,136			2,130			0.3	%	4,313			4,343			(0.7	)%
Data processing	3,501			2,765			26.6	%	6,799			5,483			24.0	%
Marketing	982			801			22.6	%	1,492			1,866			(20.0	)%
Communication	468			477			(1.9	)%	915			958			(4.5	)%
Professional services	1,469			1,299			13.1	%	3,227			3,112			3.7	%
State intangible tax	721			639			12.8	%	1,442			1,278			12.8	%
FDIC assessments	1,018			1,112			(8.5	)%	1,950			2,244			(13.1	)%
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned	162			43			N/M		186			(147		)	N/M
Other	5,253			6,130			(14.3	)%	10,166			12,407			(18.1	)%
Total noninterest expenses	51,556			49,413			4.3	%	102,601			100,133			2.5	%
Income before income taxes	33,951			33,876			0.2	%	68,835			63,568			8.3	%
Income tax expense	11,215			11,308			(0.8	)%	21,685			21,186			2.4	%
Net income	$	22,736		$	22,568		0.7	%	$	47,150		$	42,382		11.3	%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.37		$	0.37				$	0.77		$	0.69
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.37		$	0.36				$	0.76		$	0.68
Dividends declared per share	$	0.17		$	0.16				$	0.34		$	0.32
Return on average assets	1.06		%	1.11		%			1.12		%	1.04		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	10.25		%	10.84		%			10.80		%	10.27		%
Interest income	$	80,789		$	75,183		7.5	%	$	159,617		$	149,978		6.4	%
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,294			1,058			22.3	%	2,519			2,110			19.4	%
Interest income - tax equivalent	82,083			76,241			7.7	%	162,136			152,088			6.6	%
Interest expense	12,269			8,051			52.4	%	22,165			16,291			36.1	%
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	69,814		$	68,190		2.4	%	$	139,971		$	135,797		3.1	%
Net interest margin	3.50		%	3.61		%			3.56		%	3.62		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	3.56		%	3.67		%			3.63		%	3.67		%
Full-time equivalent employees	1,429			1,403
(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.

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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	2017
		Second			First			Full			% Change
		Quarter			Quarter			Year			Linked Qtr.
Interest income
Loans, including fees		$	67,748		$	66,868		$	134,616		1.3	%
Investment securities
Taxable		12,598			11,608			24,206			8.5	%
Tax-exempt		1,457			1,353			2,810			7.7	%
Total investment securities interest		14,055			12,961			27,016			8.4	%
Other earning assets		(1,014		)	(1,001		)	(2,015		)	(1.3	)%
Total interest income		80,789			78,828			159,617			2.5	%
Interest expense
Deposits		8,679			6,925			15,604			25.3	%
Short-term borrowings		2,051			1,432			3,483			43.2	%
Long-term borrowings		1,539			1,539			3,078			0.0	%
Total interest expense		12,269			9,896			22,165			24.0	%
Net interest income		68,520			68,932			137,452			(0.6	)%
Provision for loan and lease losses		467			367			834			27.2	%
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses		68,053			68,565			136,618			(0.7	)%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts		4,772			4,644			9,416			2.8	%
Trust and wealth management fees		3,405			3,747			7,152			(9.1	)%
Bankcard income		3,501			3,135			6,636			11.7	%
Client derivative fees		1,489			1,103			2,592			35.0	%
Net gains from sales of loans		1,327			1,216			2,543			9.1	%
Net gains on sale of investment securities		838			516			1,354			62.4	%
Other		2,122			3,003			5,125			(29.3	)%
Total noninterest income		17,454			17,364			34,818			0.5	%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		31,544			31,750			63,294			(0.6	)%
Net occupancy		4,302			4,515			8,817			(4.7	)%
Furniture and equipment		2,136			2,177			4,313			(1.9	)%
Data processing		3,501			3,298			6,799			6.2	%
Marketing		982			510			1,492			92.5	%
Communication		468			447			915			4.7	%
Professional services		1,469			1,758			3,227			(16.4	)%
State intangible tax		721			721			1,442			0.0	%
FDIC assessments		1,018			932			1,950			9.2	%
Loss (gain) - other real estate owned		162			24			186			N/M
Other		5,253			4,913			10,166			6.9	%
Total noninterest expenses		51,556			51,045			102,601			1.0	%
Income before income taxes		33,951			34,884			68,835			(2.7	)%
Income tax expense		11,215			10,470			21,685			7.1	%
Net income		$	22,736		$	24,414		$	47,150		(6.9	)%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic		$	0.37		$	0.40		$	0.77
Net earnings per share - diluted		$	0.37		$	0.39		$	0.76
Dividends declared per share		$	0.17		$	0.17		$	0.34
Return on average assets		1.06		%	1.18		%	1.12		%
Return on average shareholders' equity		10.25		%	11.36		%	10.80		%
Interest income		$	80,789		$	78,828		$	159,617		2.5	%
Tax equivalent adjustment		1,294			1,225			2,519			5.6	%
Interest income - tax equivalent		82,083			80,053			162,136			2.5	%
Interest expense		12,269			9,896			22,165			24.0	%
Net interest income - tax equivalent		$	69,814		$	70,157		$	139,971		(0.5	)%
Net interest margin		3.50		%	3.63		%	3.56		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)		3.56		%	3.70		%	3.63		%
Full-time equivalent employees		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.

4

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, 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.

5

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			% Change		% Change
	2017			2017			2016			2016			2016			Linked Qtr.		Comparable Qtr.
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	117,478		$	117,914		$	121,598		$	117,982		$	106,174		(0.4	)%	10.6	%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	29,839			39,058			82,450			16,765			18,911			(23.6	)%	57.8	%
Investment securities available-for-sale	1,298,578			1,220,046			1,039,870			1,120,494			1,114,349			6.4	%	16.5	%
Investment securities held-to-maturity	696,269			730,796			763,254			628,497			670,111			(4.7	)%	3.9	%
Other investments	53,285			50,996			51,077			51,170			51,261			4.5	%	3.9	%
Loans held for sale	11,939			7,657			13,135			17,414			10,494			55.9	%	13.8	%
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	1,824,589			1,779,635			1,781,948			1,782,782			1,794,533			2.5	%	1.7	%
Lease financing	88,152			88,888			93,108			96,046			100,263			(0.8	)%	(12.1	)%
Construction real estate	443,112			446,332			399,434			380,349			374,949			(0.7	)%	18.2	%
Commercial real estate	2,471,655			2,398,235			2,427,577			2,468,083			2,363,456			3.1	%	4.6	%
Residential real estate	490,398			486,601			500,980			507,715			512,800			0.8	%	(4.4	)%
Home equity	464,066			458,974			460,388			463,702			467,549			1.1	%	(0.7	)%
Installment	47,654			52,063			50,639			47,825			46,917			(8.5	)%	1.6	%
Credit card	44,139			43,354			43,408			43,009			40,746			1.8	%	8.3	%
Total loans	5,873,765			5,754,082			5,757,482			5,789,511			5,701,213			2.1	%	3.0	%
Less:
Allowance for loan and lease losses	54,873			56,326			57,961			57,618			56,708			(2.6	)%	(3.2	)%
Net loans	5,818,892			5,697,756			5,699,521			5,731,893			5,644,505			2.1	%	3.1	%
Premises and equipment	128,956			131,808			131,579			132,082			133,969			(2.2	)%	(3.7	)%
Goodwill and other intangibles	210,045			210,324			210,625			210,888			211,199			(0.1	)%	(0.5	)%
Accrued interest and other assets	344,761			324,815			324,858			341,296			349,129			6.1	%	(1.3	)%
Total Assets	$	8,710,042		$	8,531,170		$	8,437,967		$	8,368,481		$	8,310,102		2.1	%	4.8	%
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,496,173		$	1,494,892		$	1,513,771		$	1,494,529		$	1,436,078		0.1	%	4.2	%
Savings	2,398,262			2,284,821			2,142,189			2,005,407			1,974,449			5.0	%	21.5	%
Time	1,097,911			1,202,563			1,321,843			1,346,736			1,279,934			(8.7	)%	(14.2	)%
Total interest-bearing deposits	4,992,346			4,982,276			4,977,803			4,846,672			4,690,461			0.2	%	6.4	%
Noninterest-bearing	1,476,563			1,547,600			1,547,985			1,492,011			1,429,163			(4.6	)%	3.3	%
Total deposits	6,468,909			6,529,876			6,525,788			6,338,683			6,119,624			(0.9	)%	5.7	%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	130,633			52,484			120,212			77,936			80,084			148.9	%	63.1	%
FHLB short-term borrowings	957,700			806,700			687,700			848,300			1,035,000			18.7	%	(7.5	)%
Total short-term borrowings	1,088,333			859,184			807,912			926,236			1,115,084			26.7	%	(2.4	)%
Long-term debt	119,669			119,629			119,589			119,549			119,596			0.0	%	0.1	%
Total borrowed funds	1,208,002			978,813			927,501			1,045,785			1,234,680			23.4	%	(2.2	)%
Accrued interest and other liabilities	135,014			142,416			119,454			122,876			109,075			(5.2	)%	23.8	%
Total Liabilities	7,811,925			7,651,105			7,572,743			7,507,344			7,463,379			2.1	%	4.7	%
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	569,302			567,911			570,382			569,199			567,687			0.2	%	0.3	%
Retained earnings	463,250			451,073			437,188			423,800			410,893			2.7	%	12.7	%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(22,222		)	(26,639		)	(28,443		)	(17,522		)	(17,688		)	(16.6	)%	25.6	%
Treasury stock, at cost	(112,213		)	(112,280		)	(113,903		)	(114,340		)	(114,169		)	(0.1	)%	(1.7	)%
Total Shareholders' Equity	898,117			880,065			865,224			861,137			846,723			2.1	%	6.1	%
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	8,710,042		$	8,531,170		$	8,437,967		$	8,368,481		$	8,310,102		2.1	%	4.8	%

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,			June 30,
	2017			2017			2016			2016			2016			2017			2016
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	116,123		$	115,719		$	122,130		$	116,441		$	121,426		$	115,922		$	119,604
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	20,293			40,985			19,557			22,116			21,687			30,582			22,989
Investment securities	2,035,334			1,906,699			1,816,944			1,811,240			1,869,540			1,971,372			1,904,156
Loans held for sale	9,243			8,125			14,729			11,197			11,752			8,687			12,484
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	1,778,523			1,782,829			1,767,570			1,786,461			1,752,237			1,780,664			1,704,758
Lease financing	86,880			89,549			93,817			96,518			100,103			88,207			97,519
Construction real estate	447,716			414,038			376,616			380,894			348,100			430,970			335,350
Commercial real estate	2,418,355			2,390,004			2,470,280			2,400,308			2,294,980			2,404,258			2,282,833
Residential real estate	490,709			497,412			503,711			512,341			510,262			494,042			509,842
Home equity	462,431			459,821			461,177			466,062			466,170			461,133			466,446
Installment	51,275			50,722			49,071			47,428			44,438			51,000			43,068
Credit card	44,478			44,013			43,894			42,564			41,038			44,247			41,146
Total loans	5,780,367			5,728,388			5,766,136			5,732,576			5,557,328			5,754,521			5,480,962
Less:
Allowance for loan and lease losses	57,379			58,461			58,733			58,284			55,504			57,917			55,193
Net loans	5,722,988			5,669,927			5,707,403			5,674,292			5,501,824			5,696,604			5,425,769
Premises and equipment	131,654			132,384			132,414			133,360			137,927			132,017			138,152
Goodwill and other intangibles	210,215			210,513			210,768			211,029			211,363			210,363			211,535
Accrued interest and other assets	337,111			324,719			335,967			342,481			328,318			330,949			326,702
Total Assets	$	8,582,961		$	8,409,071		$	8,359,912		$	8,322,156		$	8,203,837		$	8,496,496		$	8,161,391
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,483,186		$	1,484,427		$	1,540,755		$	1,447,226		$	1,483,025		$	1,483,803		$	1,437,308
Savings	2,408,950			2,224,708			2,093,557			2,015,602			2,042,188			2,317,338			1,990,197
Time	1,164,087			1,233,631			1,378,301			1,284,059			1,342,226			1,198,667			1,380,841
Total interest-bearing deposits	5,056,223			4,942,766			5,012,613			4,746,887			4,867,439			4,999,808			4,808,346
Noninterest-bearing	1,513,995			1,499,097			1,544,598			1,453,842			1,441,068			1,506,587			1,413,918
Total deposits	6,570,218			6,441,863			6,557,211			6,200,729			6,308,507			6,506,395			6,222,264
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	62,893			88,048			93,452			87,343			86,457			75,401			87,903
FHLB short-term borrowings	812,588			760,673			602,720			946,096			759,919			786,774			808,378
Total short-term borrowings	875,481			848,721			696,172			1,033,439			846,376			862,175			896,281
Long-term debt	119,651			119,605			119,756			119,603			119,575			119,628			119,564
Total borrowed funds	995,132			968,326			815,928			1,153,042			965,951			981,803			1,015,845
Accrued interest and other liabilities	128,007			127,667			123,264			112,089			91,967			127,838			93,782
Total Liabilities	7,693,357			7,537,856			7,496,403			7,465,860			7,366,425			7,616,036			7,331,891
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	568,654			570,058			569,779			568,203			567,682			569,352			569,120
Retained earnings	456,648			442,104			430,402			419,901			406,788			449,416			401,272
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(23,414		)	(27,569		)	(22,436		)	(17,701		)	(21,901		)	(25,480		)	(24,033		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(112,284		)	(113,378		)	(114,236		)	(114,107		)	(115,157		)	(112,828		)	(116,859		)
Total Shareholders' Equity	889,604			871,215			863,509			856,296			837,412			880,460			829,500
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	8,582,961		$	8,409,071		$	8,359,912		$	8,322,156		$	8,203,837		$	8,496,496		$	8,161,391

7

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Quarterly Averages															Year-to-Date Averages
	June 30, 2017					March 31, 2017					June 30, 2016					June 30, 2017					June 30, 2016
	Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield		Balance			Yield
Earning assets
Investments:
Investment securities	$	2,035,334		2.77	%	$	1,906,699		2.76	%	$	1,869,540		2.54	%	$	1,971,372		2.76	%	$	1,904,156		2.58	%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	20,293			1.11	%	40,985			0.80	%	21,687			0.50	%	30,582			0.90	%	22,989			0.52	%
Gross loans (1)	5,799,937			4.61	%	5,748,033			4.64	%	5,584,484			4.55	%	5,774,128			4.63	%	5,509,717			4.59	%
Total earning assets	7,855,564			4.13	%	7,695,717			4.15	%	7,475,711			4.03	%	7,776,082			4.14	%	7,436,862			4.07	%
Nonearning assets
Allowance for loan and lease losses	(57,379		)			(58,461		)			(55,504		)			(57,917		)			(55,193		)
Cash and due from banks	116,123					115,719					121,426					115,922					119,604
Accrued interest and other assets	668,653					656,096					662,204					662,409					660,118
Total assets	$	8,582,961				$	8,409,071				$	8,203,837				$	8,496,496				$	8,161,391
Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,483,186		0.27	%	$	1,484,427		0.20	%	$	1,483,025		0.13	%	$	1,483,803		0.23	%	$	1,437,308		0.14	%
Savings	2,408,950			0.69	%	2,224,708			0.48	%	2,042,188			0.25	%	2,317,338			0.59	%	1,990,197			0.26	%
Time	1,164,087			1.23	%	1,233,631			1.17	%	1,342,226			1.10	%	1,198,667			1.20	%	1,380,841			1.08	%
Total interest-bearing deposits	5,056,223			0.69	%	4,942,766			0.57	%	4,867,439			0.45	%	4,999,808			0.63	%	4,808,346			0.46	%
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	875,481			0.94	%	848,721			0.68	%	846,376			0.50	%	862,175			0.81	%	896,281			0.50	%
Long-term debt	119,651			5.16	%	119,605			5.22	%	119,575			5.17	%	119,628			5.19	%	119,564			5.20	%
Total borrowed funds	995,132			1.45	%	968,326			1.24	%	965,951			1.08	%	981,803			1.35	%	1,015,845			1.05	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	6,051,355			0.81	%	5,911,092			0.68	%	5,833,390			0.55	%	5,981,611			0.75	%	5,824,191			0.56	%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	1,513,995					1,499,097					1,441,068					1,506,587					1,413,918
Other liabilities	128,007					127,667					91,967					127,838					93,782
Shareholders' equity	889,604					871,215					837,412					880,460					829,500
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity	$	8,582,961				$	8,409,071				$	8,203,837				$	8,496,496				$	8,161,391
Net interest income	$	68,520				$	68,932				$	67,132				$	137,452				$	133,687
Net interest spread				3.32	%				3.47	%				3.48	%				3.39	%				3.51	%
Net interest margin				3.50	%				3.63	%				3.61	%				3.56	%				3.62	%
Tax equivalent adjustment				0.06	%				0.07	%				0.06	%				0.07	%				0.05	%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)				3.56	%				3.70	%				3.67	%				3.63	%				3.67	%
(1) 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	$	61		$	1,033		$	1,094		$	1,048		$	1,145		$	2,193		$	1,698		$	921		$	2,619
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	31			(56		)	(25		)	33			(4		)	29			44			34			78
Gross loans (2)	(431		)	1,323			892			907			2,477			3,384			876			6,066			6,942
Total earning assets	(339		)	2,300			1,961			1,988			3,618			5,606			2,618			7,021			9,639
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits	$	1,466		$	288		$	1,754		$	2,898		$	324		$	3,222		$	4,019		$	598		$	4,617
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	534			85			619			930			68			998			1,398			(138		)	1,260
Long-term debt	(17		)	17			0			(3		)	1			(2		)	(5		)	2			(3		)
Total borrowed funds	517			102			619			927			69			996			1,393			(136		)	1,257
Total interest-bearing liabilities	1,983			390			2,373			3,825			393			4,218			5,412			462			5,874
Net interest income (1)	$	(2,322	)	$	1,910		$	(412	)	$	(1,837	)	$	3,225		$	1,388		$	(2,794	)	$	6,559		$	3,765
(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
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
																Six months ended,
	Jun. 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			Jun. 30,			Jun. 30,			Jun. 30,
	2017			2017			2016			2016			2016			2017			2016
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period	$	56,326		$	57,961		$	57,618		$	56,708		$	53,732		$	57,961		$	53,398
Provision for loan and lease losses	467			367			2,761			1,687			4,037			834			5,692
Gross charge-offs
Commercial and industrial	3,065			1,743			1,590			296			265			4,808			744
Lease financing	0			0			0			0			0			0			0
Construction real estate	0			0			(2		)	64			28			0			31
Commercial real estate	485			485			990			1,135			1,596			970			2,859
Residential real estate	223			61			224			90			28			284			73
Home equity	384			180			232			475			398			564			738
Installment	126			49			60			223			30			175			102
Credit card	215			232			326			267			357			447			597
Total gross charge-offs	4,498			2,750			3,420			2,550			2,702			7,248			5,144
Recoveries
Commercial and industrial	693			262			186			327			420			955			641
Lease financing	1			0			0			0			1			1			1
Construction real estate	89			0			51			6			202			89			228
Commercial real estate	1,398			256			382			997			681			1,654			1,123
Residential real estate	59			9			54			38			81			68			145
Home equity	222			106			144			257			131			328			319
Installment	43			71			118			56			62			114			161
Credit card	73			44			67			92			63			117			144
Total recoveries	2,578			748			1,002			1,773			1,641			3,326			2,762
Total net charge-offs	1,920			2,002			2,418			777			1,061			3,922			2,382
Ending allowance for loan and lease losses	$	54,873		$	56,326		$	57,961		$	57,618		$	56,708		$	54,873		$	56,708
NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
Commercial and industrial	0.53		%	0.34		%	0.32		%	(0.01		)%	(0.04		)%	0.44		%	0.01		%
Lease financing	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%
Construction real estate	(0.08		)%	0.00		%	(0.06		)%	0.06		%	(0.20		)%	(0.04		)%	(0.12		)%
Commercial real estate	(0.15		)%	0.04		%	0.10		%	0.02		%	0.16		%	(0.06		)%	0.15		%
Residential real estate	0.13		%	0.04		%	0.13		%	0.04		%	(0.04		)%	0.09		%	(0.03		)%
Home equity	0.14		%	0.07		%	0.08		%	0.19		%	0.23		%	0.10		%	0.18		%
Installment	0.65		%	(0.18		)%	(0.47		)%	1.40		%	(0.29		)%	0.24		%	(0.28		)%
Credit card	1.28		%	1.73		%	2.35		%	1.64		%	2.88		%	1.50		%	2.21		%
Total net charge-offs	0.13		%	0.14		%	0.17		%	0.05		%	0.08		%	0.14		%	0.09		%
COMPONENTS OF NONPERFORMING LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual loans (1)
Commercial and industrial	$	15,099		$	9,249		$	2,419		$	3,201		$	2,980		$	15,099		$	2,980
Lease financing	94			102			195			214			1,167			94			1,167
Construction real estate	1,075			1,075			0			0			0			1,075			0
Commercial real estate	12,617			14,324			6,098			5,985			8,750			12,617			8,750
Residential real estate	4,442			4,520			5,251			4,759			4,824			4,442			4,824
Home equity	2,937			3,571			3,400			3,815			4,123			2,937			4,123
Installment	307			322			367			327			433			307			433
Nonaccrual loans	36,571			33,163			17,730			18,301			22,277			36,571			22,277
Accruing troubled debt restructurings (TDRs)	20,135			29,948			30,240			32,164			28,022			20,135			28,022
Total nonperforming loans	56,706			63,111			47,970			50,465			50,299			56,706			50,299
Other real estate owned (OREO)	5,961			5,300			6,284			7,577			9,302			5,961			9,302
Total nonperforming assets	62,667			68,411			54,254			58,042			59,601			62,667			59,601
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	124			96			142			130			981			124			981
Total underperforming assets	$	62,791		$	68,507		$	54,396		$	58,172		$	60,582		$	62,791		$	60,582
Total classified assets	$	98,391		$	114,550		$	125,155		$	142,169		$	143,331		$	98,391		$	143,331
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for loan and lease losses to
Nonaccrual loans	150.05		%	169.85		%	326.91		%	314.84		%	254.56		%	150.05		%	254.56		%
Nonperforming loans	96.77		%	89.25		%	120.83		%	114.17		%	112.74		%	96.77		%	112.74		%
Total ending loans	0.93		%	0.98		%	1.01		%	1.00		%	0.99		%	0.93		%	0.99		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	0.97		%	1.10		%	0.83		%	0.87		%	0.88		%	0.97		%	0.88		%
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO	1.07		%	1.19		%	0.94		%	1.00		%	1.04		%	1.07		%	1.04		%
Total assets	0.72		%	0.80		%	0.64		%	0.69		%	0.72		%	0.72		%	0.72		%
Nonperforming assets, excluding accruing TDRs to
Ending loans, plus OREO	0.72		%	0.67		%	0.42		%	0.45		%	0.55		%	0.72		%	0.55		%
Total assets	0.49		%	0.45		%	0.28		%	0.31		%	0.38		%	0.49		%	0.38		%
Classified assets to total assets	1.13		%	1.34		%	1.48		%	1.70		%	1.72		%	1.13		%	1.72		%
(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $9.4 million, $7.8 million, $5.1 million, $5.6 million, and $8.0 million, as of June 30, 2017, March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, September 30, 2016, and June 30, 2016, respectively.

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,
	2017			2017			2016			2016			2016			2017			2016
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
High	$	28.90		$	28.90		$	29.35		$	22.52		$	20.16		$	28.90		$	20.16
Low	$	25.00		$	26.00		$	21.05		$	18.83		$	17.49		$	25.00		$	14.91
Close	$	27.65		$	27.45		$	28.45		$	21.84		$	19.45		$	27.65		$	19.45
Average shares outstanding - basic	61,543,478			61,398,414			61,311,068			61,280,283			61,194,254			61,471,347			61,115,525
Average shares outstanding - diluted	62,234,022			62,140,384			62,080,683			62,086,067			62,027,008			62,187,473			61,912,366
Ending shares outstanding	62,141,071			62,134,285			61,979,552			61,952,873			61,959,529			62,141,071			61,959,529
Total shareholders' equity	$	898,117		$	880,065		$	865,224		$	861,137		$	846,723		$	898,117		$	846,723
REGULATORY CAPITAL	Preliminary															Preliminary
Common equity tier 1 capital	$	731,024		$	716,678		$	703,891		$	688,363		$	673,313		$	731,024		$	673,313
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio	10.54		%	10.59		%	10.46		%	10.20		%	10.07		%	10.54		%	10.07		%
Tier 1 capital	$	731,128		$	716,782		$	703,995		$	688,467		$	673,417		$	731,128		$	673,417
Tier 1 ratio	10.54		%	10.59		%	10.46		%	10.20		%	10.07		%	10.54		%	10.07		%
Total capital	$	905,222		$	892,161		$	881,158		$	865,248		$	849,303		$	905,222		$	849,303
Total capital ratio	13.05		%	13.19		%	13.10		%	12.82		%	12.70		%	13.05		%	12.70		%
Total capital in excess of minimum
requirement	$	263,580		$	266,367		$	300,804		$	282,996		$	272,708		$	263,580		$	272,708
Total risk-weighted assets	$	6,936,665		$	6,765,336		$	6,728,737		$	6,750,750		$	6,685,158		$	6,936,665		$	6,685,158
Leverage ratio	8.69		%	8.69		%	8.60		%	8.45		%	8.38		%	8.69		%	8.38		%
OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets	10.31		%	10.32		%	10.25		%	10.29		%	10.19		%	10.31		%	10.19		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets	8.09		%	8.05		%	7.96		%	7.97		%	7.85		%	8.09		%	7.85		%
Average shareholders' equity to average assets	10.36		%	10.36		%	10.33		%	10.29		%	10.21		%	10.36		%	10.16		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets	8.12		%	8.06		%	8.01		%	7.96		%	7.83		%	8.09		%	7.78		%

11

EX-99.2

Earnings Presentation Second Quarter 2017 Exhibit 99.2

2 This earnings presentation contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not based on historical or current facts, but rather on our current beliefs, expectations, assumptions and projections about our business, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking statements often include words such as „„believes,‟‟ „„anticipates,‟‟ “likely,” “expected,” „„intends,‟‟ “could,” “should,” and other similar references to future periods. 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. 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 cost 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 Company‟s Annual Report on 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. Forward-looking statements are meaningful only on the date when such statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date on which a forward-looking statement is made. Forward Looking Statement Disclosure

3 2Q 2017 Highlights – 107th Consecutive Quarter of Profitability Total assets increased $178.9 million, to $8.7 billion, or 8.4% annualized, compared to the linked quarter. EOP loans increased $119.7 million, or 8.3% annualized, compared to the linked quarter. EOP deposits decreased $61.0 million, or 3.7% annualized, compared to the linked quarter. EOP investment securities increased $46.3 million compared to the linked quarter. Balance Sheet Profitability Asset Quality Net Interest Income & Net Interest Margin Income Statement Capital Noninterest income = $17.5 million. Noninterest expense = $51.6 million. Efficiency ratio = 60.0%. Effective tax rate of 33.0%. Net interest income = $68.5 million, a $0.4 million decrease compared to the linked quarter. Net interest margin of 3.50% on a GAAP basis; declined 14 bps to 3.56% on a fully tax equivalent basis. Average earning assets grew 8.3% on an annualized basis. Net income = $22.7 million or $0.37 per diluted share. Return on average assets = 1.06%. Return on average shareholders‟ equity = 10.25%. Return on average tangible common equity = 13.42%. Provision expense = $0.5 million. Net charge offs = $1.9 million. NCOs / Avg. Loans = 0.13% annualized. Nonperforming Loans / Total Loans = 0.97%. Nonperforming Assets / Total Assets = 0.72%. ALLL / Nonaccrual Loans = 150.05%. ALLL / Total Loans = 0.93%. Classified Assets/Total Assets = 1.13%. Total capital ratio = 13.05%. Tier 1 capital ratio = 10.54%. Tangible common equity ratio = 8.09%. Tangible book value per share = $11.07.

4 Profitability Net Income & Diluted EPS Return on Average Assets Return on Tangible Common Equity All dollars shown in millions, except per share data $22.7 $24.4 $23.3 $22.9 $22.6 $0.37 $0.39 $0.38 $0.37 $0.36 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Net Income EPS - diluted $8,583 $8,409 $8,360 $8,322 $8,204 1.06% 1.18% 1.11% 1.09% 1.11% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Average Assets ROAA $680 $661 $653 $645 $626 13.42% 14.98% 14.19% 14.08% 14.49% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Average Tangible Equity ROATCE

5 Net Interest Income / Net Interest Margin 1 Gross loans include loans held for sale & FDIC indemnification asset All dollars shown in millions Net Interest Income Average Loans Average Securities Average Deposits $68.5 $68.9 $70.2 $68.8 $67.1 3.56% 3.70% 3.71% 3.66% 3.67% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Net Interest Income Net Interest Margin (FTE) $2,035 $1,907 $1,817 $1,811 $1,870 2.77% 2.76% 2.58% 2.50% 2.54% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Average Investment Securities Investment Securities Yield 23% 23% 24% 23% 23% 23% 23% 23% 23% 24% 37% 35% 32% 33% 32% 18% 19% 21% 21% 21% $6,570 $6,442 $6,557 $6,201 $6,309 0.53% 0.44% 0.37% 0.36% 0.35% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Avg NIB Demand Avg IB Demand Avg Savings Avg Time Cost of Deposits $5,800 $5,748 $5,794 $5,758 $5,584 4.61% 4.64% 4.57% 4.54% 4.55% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Gross Loans Loan Yield1

6 Net Interest Margin Net Interest Margin (FTE) 2Q17 NIM (FTE) Progression NIM Strategy and Outlook Stable basic net interest margin outlook in the near term Strategic initiatives to lower deposit costs Accelerating efficiency efforts to offset impact 3.41% 3.48% 3.48% 3.46% 3.52% 0.15% 0.22% 0.23% 0.20% 0.15% 3.56% 3.70% 3.71% 3.66% 3.67% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Basic Margin (FTE) Loan Fees 1Q17 3.70% Loan fees -0.07% Primarily loan prepayment fee volatility Increase in investment securities -0.01% Balance sheet management in conjunction with loan demand Covered/formerly covered loans -0.01% Runoff of high yielding covered/formerly covered loan portfolio Nonaccrual/default rate loans -0.02% Higher nonaccrual loans & fewer loans at default rates Other -0.03% Lagging impact of loan repricing, funding mix, competitive pressures & day count 2Q17 3.56%

7 Noninterest Income Noninterest Income 2Q17 Highlights * Includes net gain on sale of investment securities & other noninterest income. All dollars shown in millions Total noninterest income increased $0.1 million, or 0.5% from the linked quarter Deposit service charges increased $0.1 million, or 2.8%, from the linked quarter Seasonal decline in wealth management fees of $0.3 million, or 9.1% from linked quarter Bankcard income increased $0.4 million, or 11.7% from the linked quarter Client derivative fees increased $0.4 million, or 35.0% from the linked quarter Gains from sales of mortgage loans increased $0.1 million, or 9.1% from the linked quarter Gains on sales of investment securities of $0.8 million during the second quarter 2017 27% 27% 30% 30% 22% 20% 22% 19% 19% 16% 20% 18% 19% 18% 15% 8% 7% 10% 12% 9% 9% 6% 3% 7% 9% 17% 20% 20% 14% 28% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Service Charges Wealth Mgmt Bankcard Gains from sales of loans Client derivatives Other *

8 Noninterest Expense Noninterest Expense 2Q17 Highlights Efficiency Ratio All dollars shown in millions Total noninterest expenses increased $0.5 million, or 1.0%, from the linked quarter Noninterest expenses included $0.5 million of severance costs related to efficiency initiatives and $0.2 million of branch consolidation costs Salary & benefits expenses decreased $0.2 million, or 0.6%, from the linked quarter Marketing expenses increased $0.5 million, or 92.5% from the linked quarter but declined on a year to date basis compared to 2016 Professional services expenses decreased $0.3 million, or 16.4% from the linked quarter Other noninterest expenses increased $0.3 million, or 6.9%, from the linked quarter 61% 62% 62% 63% 60% 39% 38% 38% 37% 40% $51.6 $51.0 $50.2 $51.1 $49.4 1,429 1,424 1,420 1,402 1,403 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Personnel Non-Personnel FTE $51.6 $51.0 $50.2 $51.1 $49.4 60.0% 59.2% 57.6% 59.6% 56.6% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 NIE Efficiency Ratio

9 Loan Portfolio Loan Product Mix (EOP) Net Loan Change (Linked Quarter) * Includes residential mortgage, home equity, installment, & credit card loans. All dollars shown in millions Highlights Portfolio remains well-balanced 2Q17 impacted by: Increased business activity, decline in prepayments Strong originations toward end of the quarter Continued focus on profitability and limiting credit concentrations 33% 32% 33% 32% 33% 12% 13% 13% 14% 14% 30% 29% 29% 29% 28% 7% 8% 7% 7% 7% 18% 18% 18% 18% 19% $5,874 $5,754 $5,757 $5,790 $5,701 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Commercial & Leasing Owner Occupied CRE Investor CRE Construction Consumer Lending* $44.2 $21.5 -$0.1 $51.9 -$3.1 $5.3 Commercial & Leasing Owner Occupied CRE Owner Occupied Construction Investor CRE Investor Construction Consumer Lending*

10 Asset Quality Nonperforming Assets / Total Assets Classified Assets / Total Assets Allowance / Total Loans Net Charge Offs & Provision Expense All dollars shown in millions $98.4 $114.6 $125.2 $142.2 $143.3 1.13% 1.34% 1.48% 1.70% 1.72% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Classified Assets Classified Assets / Total Assets $62.7 $68.4 $54.3 $58.0 $59.6 0.72% 0.80% 0.64% 0.69% 0.72% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 NPAs NPAs / Total Assets $54.9 $56.3 $58.0 $57.6 $56.7 0.93% 0.98% 1.01% 1.00% 0.99% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Allowance for Loan Losses ALLL / Total Loans $1.9 $2.0 $2.4 $0.8 $1.1 $0.5 $0.4 $2.8 $1.7 $4.0 0.13% 0.14% 0.17% 0.05% 0.08% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 NCOs Provision Expense NCOs / Average Loans

11 Capital Tier 1 Common Equity Tangible Book Value Total Capital Tangible Common Equity All capital numbers are considered preliminary All dollars shown in millions $905.2 $892.2 $881.2 $865.2 $849.3 13.05% 13.19% 13.10% 12.82% 12.70% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Total Capital Total Capital Ratio Target $688.1 $669.7 $654.6 $650.2 $635.5 8.09% 8.05% 7.96% 7.97% 7.85% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Tangible Book Value Tangible Common Ratio $688.1 $669.7 $654.6 $650.2 $635.5 $11.07 $10.78 $10.56 $10.50 $10.26 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Tangible Book Value Tangible Book Value per Share $731.0 $716.7 $703.9 $688.4 $673.3 10.54% 10.59% 10.46% 10.20% 10.07% 2Q171Q174Q163Q162Q16 Tier 1 Common Equity Tier 1 Common Ratio Target

12 Strategy & Outlook Focus remains on organic growth & executing our core strategy: 1) Growing loans at risk-appropriate returns Strong organic growth opportunities resulting from the mix of markets, products & businesses built over the last five years Full year 2017 loan growth expected to be in the mid-single digits on a percentage basis Stable net interest margin outlook in the near term, absent further loan fee volatility 2) Growing core deposits to fund loan growth & generate fee income Ever-present focus on growing low cost, core deposits Continued proactive balance sheet management to support organic growth 3) Growing noninterest income to help build & diversify revenue Strategies focused on product pricing, governance & client penetration 4) Maintaining our focus on efficiency & diligent expense management Accelerating efforts to reduce expenses and achieve greater efficiency Revised growth expectations of total noninterest expense base to approximately 1 - 2%, excluding one time expenses Full year 2017 effective tax rate of approximately 31.5 – 32.5% 5) Remaining vigilant in our credit oversight

13 Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation Net interest income and net interest margin - fully tax equivalent Three months ended YTD June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2017 2016 Net interest income $ 68,520 $ 68,932 $ 70,166 $ 68,818 $ 67,132 $137,452 $133,687 Tax equivalent adjustment 1,294 1,225 1,077 1,028 1,058 2,519 2,110 Net interest income - tax equivalent $ 69,814 $ 70,157 $ 71,243 $ 69,846 $ 68,190 $139,971 $135,797 Average earning assets $ 7,855,564 $ 7,695,717 $ 7,630,148 $ 7,591,160 $ 7,475,711 $7,776,082 $7,436,862 Net interest margin* 3.50 % 3.63 % 3.66 % 3.61 % 3.61 % 3.56 % 3.62 % Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)* 3.56 % 3.70 % 3.71 % 3.66 % 3.67 % 3.63 % 3.67 % * Margins are calculated using net interest income annualized divided by average earning assets. The earnings press release and accompanying presentation include certain non-GAAP ratios, such as net interest income-tax equivalent. 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.

14 Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation Additional non-GAAP ratios June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2017 2017 2016 2016 2016 2017 2016 Net income (a) 22,736$ 24,414$ 23,294$ 22,850$ 22,568$ 47,150$ 42,382$ Average total shareholders' equity 889,604 871,215 863,509 856,296 837,412 880,460 829,500 Less: Goodw ill and other intangibles (210,045) (210,324) (210,625) (210,888) (211,199) (210,045) (211,199) Average tangible equity (b) 679,559 660,891 652,884 645,408 626,213 670,415 618,301 Total shareholders' equity 898,117 880,065 865,224 861,137 846,723 898,117 846,723 Less: Goodw ill and other intangibles (210,045) (210,324) (210,625) (210,888) (211,199) (210,045) (211,199) Ending tangible equity (c) 688,072 669,741 654,599 650,249 635,524 688,072 635,524 Total assets 8,710,042 8,531,170 8,437,967 8,368,481 8,310,102 8,710,042 8,310,102 Less: Goodw ill and other intangibles (210,045) (210,324) (210,625) (210,888) (211,199) (210,045) (211,199) Ending tangible assets (d) 8,499,997 8,320,846 8,227,342 8,157,593 8,098,903 8,499,997 8,098,903 Risk-w eighted assets (e) 6,936,665 6,765,336 6,728,737 6,750,749 6,685,158 6,936,665 6,685,158 Total average assets 8,582,961 8,409,071 8,359,912 8,322,156 8,203,837 8,496,496 8,161,391 Less: Goodw ill and other intangibles (210,045) (210,324) (210,625) (210,888) (211,199) (210,045) (211,199) Average tangible assets (f) 8,372,916$ 8,198,747$ 8,149,287$ 8,111,268$ 7,992,638$ 8,286,451$ 7,950,192$ Ending shares outstanding (g) 62,141,071 62,134,285 61,979,552 61,952,873 61,959,529 62,141,071 61,959,529 Ratios Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (a)/(b) 13.42 % 14.98 % 14.19 % 14.08 % 14.49 % 14.18 % 13.78 % Ending tangible equity as a percent of: Ending tangible assets (c)/(d) 8.09 % 8.05 % 7.96 % 7.97 % 7.85 % 8.09 % 7.85 % Risk-w eighted assets (c)/(e) 9.92 % 9.90 % 9.73 % 9.63 % 9.51 % 9.92 % 9.51 % Average tangible equity as a percent of average tangible assets (b)/(f) 8.12 % 8.06 % 8.01 % 7.96 % 7.83 % 8.09 % 7.78 % Tangible book value per share (c)/(g) 11.07$ 10.78$ 10.56$ 10.50$ 10.26$ 11.07$ $10.26 Three months ended YTD The earnings press release and accompanying presentation include certain non-GAAP ratios. These ratios include: (1) Return on average tangible shareholders' equity; (2) Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of ending tangible assets; (3) Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of risk-w eighted assets; (4) Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of average tangible assets; and (5) Tangible book value per share. The Company considers these critical metrics w ith w hich to analyze banks. The ratios have been included in the earnings press release to facilitate a better understanding of the Company's capital structure and f inancial condition.

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