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 22, 2021

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	001-34762		31-1042001
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. employer identification number)
255 East Fifth Street, Suite 800	Cincinnati,	Ohio	45202
(Address of principal executive offices)			(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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol	Name of exchange on which registered
Common stock, No par value	FFBC	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

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 2.02    Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 22, 2021, First Financial Bancorp. (the "Company") issued its earnings press release that included its results of operations and financial condition for the first six months and second quarter of 2021. A copy of the earnings press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

The Company also provided electronic presentation slides that will be used in connection with the earnings conference call. A copy of the electronic presentation slides is included in this Report as Exhibit 99.2 and will be available on the Company's website, www.bankatfirst.com.

The information set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the information in Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 attached hereto) is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")    , or otherwise subject to the liabilities under the Exchange Act. Such information 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 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

    (d)    Exhibits:

The following exhibits shall not be deemed to be "filed" for purposes of the Exchange Act:

    Exhibit No.    Description

    99.1 First Financial Bancorp. Press Release dated July 22, 2021

    99.2 First Financial Bancorp. presentation materials

104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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/ James M. Anderson
		James M. Anderson
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date:	July 22, 2021

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

First Financial Bancorp Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

•Earnings per diluted share of $0.52; $0.58 on an adjusted(1) basis

•Return on average assets of 1.26%; 1.39% as adjusted(1)

•Net interest margin FTE(1) of 3.31%

•Provision recapture of $4.2 million

•Repurchased 1,308,945 shares during the quarter

Cincinnati, Ohio - July 22, 2021 First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) (“First Financial” or the “Company”) announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported net income of $50.9 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share. These results compare to net income of $47.3 million, or $0.48 per diluted common share, for the first quarter of 2021 and $37.4 million, or $0.38 per diluted common share, for the second quarter of 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, First Financial had earnings per diluted common share of $1.01 compared to $0.67 for the same period in 2020.

Return on average assets for the second quarter of 2021 was 1.26% while return on average tangible common equity was 16.31%(1). These compare to returns on average assets of 1.20% and 0.96%, and returns on average tangible common equity of 15.24%(1) and 12.90%(1), in the first quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2020, respectively.

Second quarter 2021 highlights include:

•After adjustments(1) for certain nonrecurring items:

◦Net income of $0.58 per diluted common share

◦1.39% return on average assets

◦18.03% return on average tangible common equity

•Net interest margin of 3.31% on a fully tax-equivalent basis(1) in line with expectations

◦9 basis point reduction from linked quarter driven by lower yields on earning assets and additional days during the second quarter

•Noninterest income of $43.0 million, or $43.1 million as adjusted(1)

◦Record foreign exchange income of $12.0 million; increased $1.3 million, or 11.9%, compared to linked quarter

◦Record wealth management fees of $6.2 million; increased $0.6 million, or 10.4%, compared to the linked quarter

•Noninterest expenses of $99.6 million, or $91.8 million as adjusted(1)

◦Adjustments(1) include:

▪$3.8 million of legal settlement costs

▪$2.8 million of branch consolidation costs

▪$1.2 million of tax credit investment write-downs

◦Efficiency ratio of 63.5%; 58.4% as adjusted(1)

•Loan balances declined during the quarter driven by $288.8 million of PPP forgiveness and elevated prepayments

__________________________________________________________________________________

(1) Financial information in this release that is described as “adjusted” or that is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis is non-GAAP. For details on the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the GAAP financial measure, see the sections titled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this release and “Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying slide presentation.

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•Average transactional deposit balances grew $469.6 million compared to the linked quarter; 17.8% on an annualized basis

•Total Allowance for Credit Losses of $173.1 million; Total quarterly provision recapture of $4.2 million

◦Loans and leases - ACL of $159.6 million, 1.68% of total loans; 1.75% of loans excluding PPP

◦Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $13.6 million

◦Provision recapture driven by improvements in economic conditions and classified asset balances, coupled with lower net charge-offs

•Strong capital ratios

◦Total capital of 15.31%

◦Tier 1 common equity of 11.78%

◦Tangible common equity of 8.37%(1); 8.61%(1) excluding PPP loans

◦Tangible book value per share of $13.08(1); $0.30 increase compared to linked quarter

◦Repurchased 1,308,945 shares during second quarter; 2,149,060 shares repurchased in 2021

Archie Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are very pleased to announce second quarter results that are highlighted by robust earnings, higher fee income, lower credit costs and improving credit trends.”

Mr. Brown continued, “Our core quarterly financial metrics reflected the strong quarter with an adjusted(1) earnings per share of $0.58, adjusted(1) return on assets of 1.39%, and an adjusted(1) efficiency ratio of 58.4%. The quarterly performance was bolstered by higher fee revenue in interchange, and record revenue in Wealth Management and Bannockburn. Additionally, provision recapture during the period positively impacted our results, driven by improved credit quality trends, which included declines in net charge-offs and classified asset balances. We are optimistic about the economic environment and expect further reductions in credit costs in the coming periods.”

Mr. Brown added, “We were pleased with a 23% increase in loan originations for the quarter, driven primarily by our core commercial markets, in addition to consumer and mortgage banking. Loan payoffs accelerated during the quarter in almost all commercial banking areas, with larger payoff amounts in Commercial Finance and ICRE driving an overall reduction in core loan balances for the quarter. Given the state of our loan pipeline, we expect originations to remain strong in the second half of the year, however we also anticipate higher payoffs to continue due to the amount of liquidity in the market. Average transactional deposits increased 18% on an annualized basis, as clients continued to build liquidity from recent government stimulus actions, however we believe these balances may have peaked as we began to experience some outflows late in the quarter. Our capital ratios remained strong and in excess of both internal and external targets. We also remained active in our share buyback program, repurchasing over 1 million shares during the quarter. When combined with the common dividend, the share repurchases approximate a return to shareholders of 98% of adjusted(1) quarterly earnings. We anticipate further share buyback activity in the third quarter, absent higher priority capital deployment alternatives.”

Mr. Brown concluded, “Throughout the summer, the number of associates working in our offices has increased steadily in anticipation of a broader return, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming all of our associates back in the beginning of August. We have learned a great deal from the remote environment during the last 16 months and are excited to incorporate the best practices derived from that experience into our culture moving forward, including greater associate flexibility.”

Full detail of the Company’s second quarter 2021 performance is provided in the accompanying financial statements and slide presentation.

Teleconference / Webcast Information

First Financial’s executive management will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial and operating results on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern 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 10158382. The webcast will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website for 12 months.

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Press Release and Additional Information on Website

This press release as well as supplemental information are available to the public through the Investor Relations section of First Financial's website at www.bankatfirst.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release contains GAAP financial measures and Non-GAAP financial measures where management believes it to be helpful in understanding the Company’s results of operations or financial position. Where Non-GAAP financial measures are used, the comparable GAAP financial measures, as well as a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP financial measure, can be found in the section titled “Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying slide presentation.

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Forward-Looking Statement

Certain statements contained in this report which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ “likely,” “expected,” “estimated,” ‘‘intends’’ and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make about (i) our future operating or financial performance, including revenues, income or loss and earnings or loss per share, (ii) future common stock dividends, (iii) our capital structure, including future capital levels, (iv) our plans, objectives and strategies, and (v) the assumptions that underlie our forward-looking statements.

As with any forecast or projection, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead express only management’s beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management’s control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include the following, without limitation:

•economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with the Company’s business;

•future credit quality and performance, including our expectations regarding future loan losses and our allowance for credit losses

•the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other legislation and regulation relating to the banking industry;

•Management’s ability to effectively execute its business plans;

•mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies;

•the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Company’s acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period;

•the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices;

•changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving and changes in unemployment;

•changes in customers’ performance and creditworthiness;

•the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation;  

•current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of declines in housing prices, high unemployment rates, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, and any slowdown in global economic growth;

•the adverse impact on the U.S. economy, including the markets in which we operate, of the novel coronavirus, which causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”), global pandemic, and the impact of a slowing U.S. economy and increased unemployment on the performance of our loan and lease portfolio, the market value of our investment securities, the availability of sources of funding and the demand for our products;

•our capital and liquidity requirements (including under regulatory capital standards, such as the Basel III capital standards) and our ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;

•financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on our revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulation relating to bank products and services;

•the effect of the current interest rate environment or changes in interest rates or in the level or composition of our assets or liabilities on our net interest income, net interest margin and our mortgage originations, mortgage servicing rights and mortgage loans held for sale;

•the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our brokerage, asset and wealth management businesses;

•a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks;

•the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on our funding costs and net interest margin; and

•our ability to develop and execute effective business plans and strategies.

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Additional factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as our other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. 

All forward-looking statements included in this filing are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available at the time of the filing.  Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

About First Financial Bancorp.

First Financial Bancorp. is a Cincinnati, Ohio based bank holding company. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had $16.0 billion in assets, $9.5 billion in loans, $12.5 billion in deposits and $2.3 billion in shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiary, First Financial Bank, founded in 1863, provides banking and financial services products through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Investment Commercial Real Estate, Mortgage Banking, Commercial Finance and Wealth Management. These business units provide traditional banking services to business and retail clients. Wealth Management provides wealth planning, portfolio management, trust and estate, brokerage and retirement plan services and had approximately $3.2 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2021. The Company operated 139 full service banking centers as of June 30, 2021, primarily in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, while the Commercial Finance business lends into targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. Additional information about the Company, including its products, services and banking locations, is available at www.bankatfirst.com.

Contact Information

Investors/AnalystsMedia

Jamie Anderson                        Tim Condron

Chief Financial Officer                    Marketing Communications Manager

(513) 887-5400                        (513) 979-5796

InvestorRelations@bankatfirst.commedia@bankatfirst.com

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Selected Financial Information

June 30, 2021

(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,
	June 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			June 30,
	2021			2021			2020			2020			2020			2021			2020
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income	$	50,888		$	47,315		$	48,312		$	41,477		$	37,393		$	98,203		$	66,021
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.53		$	0.49		$	0.50		$	0.43		$	0.38		$	1.02		$	0.68
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.52		$	0.48		$	0.49		$	0.42		$	0.38		$	1.01		$	0.67
Dividends declared per share	$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.46		$	0.46
KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
Return on average assets	1.26		%	1.20		%	1.20		%	1.04		%	0.96		%	1.23		%	0.88		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	9.02		%	8.44		%	8.52		%	7.40		%	6.88		%	8.73		%	6.04		%
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (1)	16.31		%	15.24		%	15.50		%	13.61		%	12.90		%	15.78		%	11.29		%
Net interest margin	3.27		%	3.35		%	3.45		%	3.32		%	3.38		%	3.31		%	3.54		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)(2)	3.31		%	3.40		%	3.49		%	3.36		%	3.44		%	3.35		%	3.60		%
Ending shareholders' equity as a percent of ending assets	14.15		%	13.97		%	14.29		%	14.11		%	13.99		%	14.15		%	13.99		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets (1)	8.37		%	8.22		%	8.47		%	8.25		%	8.09		%	8.37		%	8.09		%
Risk-weighted assets (1)	11.12		%	11.02		%	11.29		%	11.07		%	10.89		%	11.12		%	10.89		%
Average shareholders' equity as a percent of average assets	13.96		%	14.17		%	14.07		%	14.08		%	13.91		%	14.06		%	14.54		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of
average tangible assets (1)	8.23		%	8.38		%	8.26		%	8.18		%	7.94		%	8.30		%	8.34		%
Book value per share	$	23.59		$	23.16		$	23.28		$	22.94		$	22.66		$	23.59		$	22.66
Tangible book value per share (1)	$	13.08		$	12.78		$	12.93		$	12.56		$	12.26		$	13.08		$	12.26
Common equity tier 1 ratio (3)	11.78		%	11.81		%	11.82		%	11.63		%	11.49		%	11.78		%	11.49		%
Tier 1 ratio (3)	12.16		%	12.19		%	12.20		%	12.02		%	11.87		%	12.16		%	11.87		%
Total capital ratio (3)	15.31		%	15.41		%	15.55		%	15.37		%	15.19		%	15.31		%	15.19		%
Leverage ratio (3)	9.14		%	9.34		%	9.55		%	9.55		%	8.98		%	9.14		%	8.98		%
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
Loans (4)	$	9,831,965		$	9,951,855		$	10,127,881		$	10,253,392		$	10,002,379		$	9,891,579		$	9,611,511
Investment securities	4,130,207			3,782,993			3,403,839			3,162,832			3,164,243			3,957,559			3,139,983
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	45,593			46,912			143,884			40,277			91,990			46,249			65,661
Total earning assets	$	14,007,765		$	13,781,760		$	13,675,604		$	13,456,501		$	13,258,612		$	13,895,387		$	12,817,155
Total assets	$	16,215,469		$	16,042,654		$	16,030,986		$	15,842,010		$	15,710,204		$	16,129,539		$	15,117,313
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	4,003,626		$	3,840,046		$	3,720,417		$	3,535,432		$	3,335,866		$	3,922,288		$	2,989,553
Interest-bearing deposits	8,707,553			8,531,822			8,204,306			8,027,082			8,395,229			8,620,173			7,993,010
Total deposits	$	12,711,179		$	12,371,868		$	11,924,723		$	11,562,514		$	11,731,095		$	12,542,461		$	10,982,563
Borrowings	$	749,114		$	886,379		$	1,307,461		$	1,519,748		$	1,272,819		$	817,367		$	1,504,293
Shareholders' equity	$	2,263,687		$	2,272,749		$	2,256,062		$	2,230,422		$	2,185,865		$	2,268,193		$	2,197,799
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance to ending loans	1.68		%	1.71		%	1.77		%	1.65		%	1.56		%	1.68		%	1.56		%
Allowance to nonaccrual loans	184.77		%	199.33		%	217.55		%	216.28		%	233.74		%	184.77		%	233.74		%
Allowance to nonperforming loans	162.12		%	175.44		%	199.97		%	196.69		%	208.06		%	162.12		%	208.06		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	1.03		%	0.97		%	0.89		%	0.84		%	0.75		%	1.03		%	0.75		%
Nonperforming assets to ending loans, plus OREO	1.04		%	0.98		%	0.90		%	0.86		%	0.77		%	1.04		%	0.77		%
Nonperforming assets to total assets	0.62		%	0.60		%	0.56		%	0.55		%	0.49		%	0.62		%	0.49		%
Classified assets to total assets	1.14		%	1.22		%	0.89		%	0.84		%	0.79		%	1.14		%	0.79		%
Net charge-offs to average loans (annualized)	0.23		%	0.38		%	0.26		%	0.21		%	0.12		%	0.30		%	0.05		%

(1) Non-GAAP measure. For details on the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the GAAP financial measure, see the sections titled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this release and “Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying slide presentation.

(2) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin and net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

(3) June 30, 2021 regulatory capital ratios are preliminary.

(4) 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,
	June 30,								June 30,
	2021			2020			% Change		2021			2020			% Change
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$	97,494		$	105,900		(7.9)	%	$	196,425		$	221,675		(11.4)	%
Investment securities
Taxable	19,524			18,476			5.7	%	38,131			37,481			1.7	%
Tax-exempt	4,871			4,937			(1.3)	%	9,914			9,519			4.1	%
Total investment securities interest	24,395			23,413			4.2	%	48,045			47,000			2.2	%
Other earning assets	25			47			(46.8)	%	53			189			(72.0)	%
Total interest income	121,914			129,360			(5.8)	%	244,523			268,864			(9.1)	%
Interest expense
Deposits	3,693			11,751			(68.6)	%	8,026			28,116			(71.5)	%
Short-term borrowings	53			1,274			(95.8)	%	120			6,361			(98.1)	%
Long-term borrowings	4,142			4,759			(13.0)	%	8,475			8,529			(0.6)	%
Total interest expense	7,888			17,784			(55.6)	%	16,621			43,006			(61.4)	%
Net interest income	114,026			111,576			2.2	%	227,902			225,858			0.9	%
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases	(4,756)			17,859			(126.6)	%	(1,306)			41,739			(103.1)	%
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments	517			2,370			(78.2)	%	1,055			3,938			(73.2)	%
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	118,265			91,347			29.5	%	228,153			180,181			26.6	%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	7,537			6,001			25.6	%	14,683			14,436			1.7	%
Trust and wealth management fees	6,216			5,254			18.3	%	11,846			10,951			8.2	%
Bankcard income	3,732			2,844			31.2	%	6,860			5,542			23.8	%
Client derivative fees	1,795			2,984			(39.8)	%	3,351			6,089			(45.0)	%
Foreign exchange income	12,037			6,576			83.0	%	22,794			16,542			37.8	%
Net gains from sales of loans	8,489			16,662			(49.1)	%	17,943			19,493			(8.0)	%
Net gains (losses) on sale of investment securities	(265)			2			N/M		(431)			(57)			N/M
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities	161			150			7.3	%	273			52			N/M
Other	3,285			2,252			45.9	%	5,990			5,061			18.4	%
Total noninterest income	42,987			42,725			0.6	%	83,309			78,109			6.7	%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	60,784			55,925			8.7	%	122,037			110,747			10.2	%
Net occupancy	5,535			5,378			2.9	%	11,239			11,482			(2.1)	%
Furniture and equipment	3,371			3,681			(8.4)	%	7,340			7,734			(5.1)	%
Data processing	7,864			7,019			12.0	%	15,151			13,408			13.0	%
Marketing	2,035			1,339			52.0	%	3,396			2,559			32.7	%
Communication	746			907			(17.8)	%	1,584			1,797			(11.9)	%
Professional services	2,029			2,205			(8.0)	%	3,479			4,480			(22.3)	%
State intangible tax	1,201			1,514			(20.7)	%	2,403			3,030			(20.7)	%
FDIC assessments	1,362			1,290			5.6	%	2,711			2,695			0.6	%
Intangible amortization	2,480			2,791			(11.1)	%	4,959			5,583			(11.2)	%
Other	12,236			6,640			84.3	%	17,850			14,840			20.3	%
Total noninterest expenses	99,643			88,689			12.4	%	192,149			178,355			7.7	%
Income before income taxes	61,609			45,383			35.8	%	119,313			79,935			49.3	%
Income tax expense	10,721			7,990			34.2	%	21,110			13,914			51.7	%
Net income	$	50,888		$	37,393		36.1	%	$	98,203		$	66,021		48.7	%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.53		$	0.38				$	1.02		$	0.68
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.52		$	0.38				$	1.01		$	0.67
Dividends declared per share	$	0.23		$	0.23				$	0.46		$	0.46
Return on average assets	1.26		%	0.96		%			1.23		%	0.88		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	9.02		%	6.88		%			8.73		%	6.04		%
Interest income	$	121,914		$	129,360		(5.8)	%	$	244,523		$	268,864		(9.1)	%
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,619			1,664			(2.7)	%	3,271			3,288			(0.5)	%
Interest income - tax equivalent	123,533			131,024			(5.7)	%	247,794			272,152			(9.0)	%
Interest expense	7,888			17,784			(55.6)	%	16,621			43,006			(61.4)	%
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	115,645		$	113,240		2.1	%	$	231,173		$	229,146		0.9	%
Net interest margin	3.27		%	3.38		%			3.31		%	3.54		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	3.31		%	3.44		%			3.35		%	3.60		%
Full-time equivalent employees	2,053			2,076
(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

3

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	2021
	Second			First			Year to			% Change
	Quarter			Quarter			Date			Linked Qtr.
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$	97,494		$	98,931		$	196,425		(1.5)	%
Investment securities
Taxable	19,524			18,607			38,131			4.9	%
Tax-exempt	4,871			5,043			9,914			(3.4)	%
Total investment securities interest	24,395			23,650			48,045			3.2	%
Other earning assets	25			28			53			(10.7)	%
Total interest income	121,914			122,609			244,523			(0.6)	%
Interest expense
Deposits	3,693			4,333			8,026			(14.8)	%
Short-term borrowings	53			67			120			(20.9)	%
Long-term borrowings	4,142			4,333			8,475			(4.4)	%
Total interest expense	7,888			8,733			16,621			(9.7)	%
Net interest income	114,026			113,876			227,902			0.1	%
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases	(4,756)			3,450			(1,306)			(237.9)	%
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments	517			538			1,055			(3.9)	%
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	118,265			109,888			228,153			7.6	%
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	7,537			7,146			14,683			5.5	%
Trust and wealth management fees	6,216			5,630			11,846			10.4	%
Bankcard income	3,732			3,128			6,860			19.3	%
Client derivative fees	1,795			1,556			3,351			15.4	%
Foreign exchange income	12,037			10,757			22,794			11.9	%
Net gains from sales of loans	8,489			9,454			17,943			(10.2)	%
Net gains (losses) on sale of investment securities	(265)			(166)			(431)			59.6	%
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities	161			112			273			43.8	%
Other	3,285			2,705			5,990			21.4	%
Total noninterest income	42,987			40,322			83,309			6.6	%
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	60,784			61,253			122,037			(0.8)	%
Net occupancy	5,535			5,704			11,239			(3.0)	%
Furniture and equipment	3,371			3,969			7,340			(15.1)	%
Data processing	7,864			7,287			15,151			7.9	%
Marketing	2,035			1,361			3,396			49.5	%
Communication	746			838			1,584			(11.0)	%
Professional services	2,029			1,450			3,479			39.9	%
State intangible tax	1,201			1,202			2,403			(0.1)	%
FDIC assessments	1,362			1,349			2,711			1.0	%
Intangible amortization	2,480			2,479			4,959			0.0	%
Other	12,236			5,614			17,850			118.0	%
Total noninterest expenses	99,643			92,506			192,149			7.7	%
Income before income taxes	61,609			57,704			119,313			6.8	%
Income tax expense	10,721			10,389			21,110			3.2	%
Net income	$	50,888		$	47,315		$	98,203		7.6	%
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.53		$	0.49		$	1.02
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.52		$	0.48		$	1.01
Dividends declared per share	$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.46
Return on average assets	1.26		%	1.20		%	1.23		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	9.02		%	8.44		%	8.73		%
Interest income	$	121,914		$	122,609		$	244,523		(0.6)	%
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,619			1,652			3,271			(2.0)	%
Interest income - tax equivalent	123,533			124,261			247,794			(0.6)	%
Interest expense	7,888			8,733			16,621			(9.7)	%
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	115,645		$	115,528		$	231,173		0.1	%
Net interest margin	3.27		%	3.35		%	3.31		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	3.31		%	3.40		%	3.35		%
Full-time equivalent employees	2,053			2,063
(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

4

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
	2020
	Fourth			Third			Second			First			Full
	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Year
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees	$	106,733		$	103,249		$	105,900		$	115,775		$	431,657
Investment securities
Taxable	18,402			17,906			18,476			19,005			73,789
Tax-exempt	4,839			4,884			4,937			4,582			19,242
Total investment securities interest	23,241			22,790			23,413			23,587			93,031
Other earning assets	55			31			47			142			275
Total interest income	130,029			126,070			129,360			139,504			524,963
Interest expense
Deposits	5,920			7,886			11,751			16,365			41,922
Short-term borrowings	30			51			1,274			5,087			6,442
Long-term borrowings	5,606			5,953			4,759			3,770			20,088
Total interest expense	11,556			13,890			17,784			25,222			68,452
Net interest income	118,473			112,180			111,576			114,282			456,511
Provision for credit losses-loans and leases	13,758			15,299			17,859			23,880			70,796
Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments	(2,250)			(1,925)			2,370			1,568			(237)
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	106,965			98,806			91,347			88,834			385,952
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts	7,654			7,356			6,001			8,435			29,446
Trust and wealth management fees	5,395			4,940			5,254			5,697			21,286
Bankcard income	3,060			3,124			2,844			2,698			11,726
Client derivative fees	2,021			2,203			2,984			3,105			10,313
Foreign exchange income	12,305			10,530			6,576			9,966			39,377
Net gains from sales of loans	13,089			18,594			16,662			2,831			51,176
Net gains (losses) on sale of investment securities	4,618			2			2			(59)			4,563
Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities	8,975			18			150			(98)			9,045
Other	4,398			2,732			2,252			2,809			12,191
Total noninterest income	61,515			49,499			42,725			35,384			189,123
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	62,263			63,769			55,925			54,822			236,779
Net occupancy	6,159			5,625			5,378			6,104			23,266
Furniture and equipment	3,596			3,638			3,681			4,053			14,968
Data processing	7,269			6,837			7,019			6,389			27,514
Marketing	1,999			1,856			1,339			1,220			6,414
Communication	840			855			907			890			3,492
Professional services	3,038			2,443			2,205			2,275			9,961
Debt extinguishment	7,257			0			0			0			7,257
State intangible tax	1,514			1,514			1,514			1,516			6,058
FDIC assessments	1,065			1,350			1,290			1,405			5,110
Intangible amortization	2,764			2,779			2,791			2,792			11,126
Other	17,034			6,845			6,640			8,200			38,719
Total noninterest expenses	114,798			97,511			88,689			89,666			390,664
Income before income taxes	53,682			50,794			45,383			34,552			184,411
Income tax expense (benefit)	5,370			9,317			7,990			5,924			28,601
Net income	$	48,312		$	41,477		$	37,393		$	28,628		$	155,810
ADDITIONAL DATA
Net earnings per share - basic	$	0.50		$	0.43		$	0.38		$	0.29		$	1.60
Net earnings per share - diluted	$	0.49		$	0.42		$	0.38		$	0.29		$	1.59
Dividends declared per share	$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.23		$	0.92
Return on average assets	1.20		%	1.04		%	0.96		%	0.79		%	1.00		%
Return on average shareholders' equity	8.52		%	7.40		%	6.88		%	5.21		%	7.02		%
Interest income	$	130,029		$	126,070		$	129,360		$	139,504		$	524,963
Tax equivalent adjustment	1,613			1,628			1,664			1,624			6,529
Interest income - tax equivalent	131,642			127,698			131,024			141,128			531,492
Interest expense	11,556			13,890			17,784			25,222			68,452
Net interest income - tax equivalent	$	120,086		$	113,808		$	113,240		$	115,906		$	463,040
Net interest margin	3.45		%	3.32		%	3.38		%	3.71		%	3.46		%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (1)	3.49		%	3.36		%	3.44		%	3.77		%	3.51		%
Full-time equivalent employees	2,075			2,065			2,076			2,067
(1) The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

5

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	June 30,		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		Sep. 30,		June 30,		% Change		% Change
	2021		2021		2020		2020		2020		Linked Qtr.		Comp Qtr.
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	206,918	$	210,191	$	231,054	$	207,128	$	283,639	(1.6)	%	(27.0)	%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	38,610		19,180		20,305		38,806		38,845		101.3	%	(0.6)	%
Investment securities available-for-sale	3,955,839		3,753,763		3,424,580		3,004,963		2,897,413		5.4	%	36.5	%
Investment securities held-to-maturity	112,456		121,945		131,687		118,072		127,347		(7.8)	%	(11.7)	%
Other investments	129,432		131,814		133,198		118,292		132,366		(1.8)	%	(2.2)	%
Loans held for sale	31,546		34,590		41,103		69,008		43,950		(8.8)	%	(28.2)	%
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	2,701,203		3,044,825		3,007,509		3,292,313		3,322,374		(11.3)	%	(18.7)	%
Lease financing	68,229		66,574		72,987		74,742		80,087		2.5	%	(14.8)	%
Construction real estate	630,329		642,709		636,096		575,648		506,085		(1.9)	%	24.6	%
Commercial real estate	4,332,561		4,396,582		4,307,858		4,347,125		4,343,702		(1.5)	%	(0.3)	%
Residential real estate	932,112		946,522		1,003,086		1,027,702		1,043,745		(1.5)	%	(10.7)	%
Home equity	711,756		709,667		743,099		754,743		764,171		0.3	%	(6.9)	%
Installment	89,143		82,421		81,850		84,629		79,150		8.2	%	12.6	%
Credit card	46,177		44,669		48,485		43,907		42,397		3.4	%	8.9	%
Total loans	9,511,510		9,933,969		9,900,970		10,200,809		10,181,711		(4.3)	%	(6.6)	%
Less:
Allowance for credit losses	159,590		169,923		175,679		168,544		158,661		(6.1)	%	0.6	%
Net loans	9,351,920		9,764,046		9,725,291		10,032,265		10,023,050		(4.2)	%	(6.7)	%
Premises and equipment	192,238		204,537		207,211		209,474		211,164		(6.0)	%	(9.0)	%
Goodwill	937,771		937,771		937,771		937,771		937,771		0.0	%	0.0	%
Other intangibles	59,391		61,984		64,552		67,419		70,325		(4.2)	%	(15.5)	%
Accrued interest and other assets	1,021,798		935,250		1,056,382		1,122,449		1,105,020		9.3	%	(7.5)	%
Total Assets	$	16,037,919	$	16,175,071	$	15,973,134	$	15,925,647	$	15,870,890	(0.8)	%	1.1	%
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	2,963,151	$	2,914,761	$	2,914,787	$	2,632,467	$	2,657,841	1.7	%	11.5	%
Savings	4,093,229		4,006,181		3,680,774		3,446,678		3,287,314		2.2	%	24.5	%
Time	1,548,109		1,731,757		1,872,733		1,935,392		2,241,212		(10.6)	%	(30.9)	%
Total interest-bearing deposits	8,604,489		8,652,699		8,468,294		8,014,537		8,186,367		(0.6)	%	5.1	%
Noninterest-bearing	3,901,691		3,995,370		3,763,709		3,552,893		3,515,048		(2.3)	%	11.0	%
Total deposits	12,506,180		12,648,069		12,232,003		11,567,430		11,701,415		(1.1)	%	6.9	%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	255,791		181,387		166,594		247,658		154,347		41.0	%	65.7	%
FHLB short-term borrowings	217,000		0		0		0		0		100.0	%	100.0	%
Total short-term borrowings	472,791		181,387		166,594		247,658		154,347		160.7	%	206.3	%
Long-term debt	313,039		583,722		776,202		1,341,164		1,285,767		(46.4)	%	(75.7)	%
Total borrowed funds	785,830		765,109		942,796		1,588,822		1,440,114		2.7	%	(45.4)	%
Accrued interest and other liabilities	476,402		502,951		516,265		521,580		508,342		(5.3)	%	(6.3)	%
Total Liabilities	13,768,412		13,916,129		13,691,064		13,677,832		13,649,871		(1.1)	%	0.9	%
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	1,635,470		1,633,137		1,638,947		1,637,489		1,635,070		0.1	%	0.0	%
Retained earnings	773,857		745,220		720,429		694,484		675,532		3.8	%	14.6	%
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	30,735		18,101		48,664		42,266		36,431		69.8	%	(15.6)	%
Treasury stock, at cost	(170,555)		(137,516)		(125,970)		(126,424)		(126,014)		24.0	%	35.3	%
Total Shareholders' Equity	2,269,507		2,258,942		2,282,070		2,247,815		2,221,019		0.5	%	2.2	%
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	16,037,919	$	16,175,071	$	15,973,134	$	15,925,647	$	15,870,890	(0.8)	%	1.1	%

6

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
AVERAGE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Quarterly Averages										Year-to-Date Averages
	June 30,		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		Sep. 30,		June 30,		June 30,
	2021		2021		2020		2020		2020		2021		2020
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	237,964	$	232,275	$	228,427	$	233,216	$	284,726	$	235,135	$	260,211
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	45,593		46,912		143,884		40,277		91,990		46,249		65,661
Investment securities	4,130,207		3,782,993		3,403,839		3,162,832		3,164,243		3,957,559		3,139,983
Loans held for sale	28,348		29,689		42,402		45,186		36,592		29,015		24,883
Loans and leases
Commercial and industrial	2,953,185		3,029,716		3,182,749		3,299,259		3,058,677		2,991,239		2,754,785
Lease financing	66,124		70,508		74,107		78,500		81,218		68,304		83,500
Construction real estate	630,351		647,655		608,401		536,870		495,407		638,955		498,439
Commercial real estate	4,372,679		4,339,349		4,313,408		4,364,708		4,381,647		4,356,106		4,295,496
Residential real estate	940,600		980,718		1,022,701		1,041,250		1,052,996		960,548		1,054,226
Home equity	707,409		726,134		752,425		759,994		772,424		716,720		772,753
Installment	84,768		81,377		83,509		82,016		79,016		83,082		80,125
Credit card	48,501		46,709		48,179		45,609		44,402		47,610		47,304
Total loans	9,803,617		9,922,166		10,085,479		10,208,206		9,965,787		9,862,564		9,586,628
Less:
Allowance for credit losses	169,979		177,863		172,201		165,270		155,454		173,899		138,290
Net loans	9,633,638		9,744,303		9,913,278		10,042,936		9,810,333		9,688,665		9,448,338
Premises and equipment	200,558		206,628		208,800		211,454		213,903		203,576		214,724
Goodwill	937,771		937,771		937,771		937,771		937,771		937,771		937,771
Other intangibles	60,929		63,529		66,195		69,169		72,086		62,222		73,550
Accrued interest and other assets	940,461		998,554		1,086,390		1,099,169		1,098,560		969,347		952,192
Total Assets	$	16,215,469	$	16,042,654	$	16,030,986	$	15,842,010	$	15,710,204	$	16,129,539	$	15,117,313
LIABILITIES
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand	$	2,973,930	$	2,948,682	$	2,812,748	$	2,668,635	$	2,602,917	$	2,961,376	$	2,510,555
Savings	4,096,077		3,815,314		3,547,179		3,342,514		3,173,274		3,956,471		3,074,896
Time	1,637,546		1,767,826		1,844,379		2,015,933		2,619,038		1,702,326		2,407,559
Total interest-bearing deposits	8,707,553		8,531,822		8,204,306		8,027,082		8,395,229		8,620,173		7,993,010
Noninterest-bearing	4,003,626		3,840,046		3,720,417		3,535,432		3,335,866		3,922,288		2,989,553
Total deposits	12,711,179		12,371,868		11,924,723		11,562,514		11,731,095		12,542,461		10,982,563
Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase	194,478		184,483		136,795		150,088		145,291		189,508		154,692
FHLB short-term borrowings	40,846		67,222		7,937		30,868		548,183		53,961		868,974
Total short-term borrowings	235,324		251,705		144,732		180,956		693,474		243,469		1,023,666
Long-term debt	513,790		634,674		1,162,729		1,338,792		579,345		573,898		480,627
Total borrowed funds	749,114		886,379		1,307,461		1,519,748		1,272,819		817,367		1,504,293
Accrued interest and other liabilities	491,489		511,658		542,740		529,326		520,425		501,518		432,658
Total Liabilities	13,951,782		13,769,905		13,774,924		13,611,588		13,524,339		13,861,346		12,919,514
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock	1,633,950		1,636,884		1,638,032		1,636,107		1,634,405		1,635,409		1,636,628
Retained earnings	754,456		726,351		703,257		679,980		658,312		740,481		659,210
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	25,832		42,253		40,960		40,697		19,888		33,997		25,544
Treasury stock, at cost	(150,551)		(132,739)		(126,187)		(126,362)		(126,740)		(141,694)		(123,583)
Total Shareholders' Equity	2,263,687		2,272,749		2,256,062		2,230,422		2,185,865		2,268,193		2,197,799
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	16,215,469	$	16,042,654	$	16,030,986	$	15,842,010	$	15,710,204	$	16,129,539	$	15,117,313

7

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
NET INTEREST MARGIN RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
	Quarterly Averages												Year-to-Date Averages
	June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				June 30, 2020				June 30, 2021				June 30, 2020
	Balance		Yield		Balance		Yield		Balance		Yield		Balance		Yield		Balance		Yield
Earning assets
Investments:
Investment securities	$	4,130,207	2.37	%	$	3,782,993	2.54	%	$	3,164,243	2.97	%	$	3,957,559	2.45	%	$	3,139,983	3.02	%
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	45,593		0.22	%	46,912		0.24	%	91,990		0.20	%	46,249		0.23	%	65,661		0.58	%
Gross loans (1)	9,831,965		3.98	%	9,951,855		4.03	%	10,002,379		4.25	%	9,891,579		4.00	%	9,611,511		4.65	%
Total earning assets	14,007,765		3.49	%	13,781,760		3.61	%	13,258,612		3.91	%	13,895,387		3.55	%	12,817,155		4.23	%
Nonearning assets
Allowance for credit losses	(169,979)				(177,863)				(155,454)				(173,899)				(138,290)
Cash and due from banks	237,964				232,275				284,726				235,135				260,211
Accrued interest and other assets	2,139,719				2,206,482				2,322,320				2,172,916				2,178,237
Total assets	$	16,215,469			$	16,042,654			$	15,710,204			$	16,129,539			$	15,117,313
Interest-bearing liabilities
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand	$	2,973,930	0.07	%	$	2,948,682	0.07	%	$	2,602,917	0.11	%	$	2,961,376	0.07	%	$	2,510,555	0.27	%
Savings	4,096,077		0.11	%	3,815,314		0.13	%	3,173,274		0.17	%	3,956,471		0.12	%	3,074,896		0.31	%
Time	1,637,546		0.51	%	1,767,826		0.60	%	2,619,038		1.49	%	1,702,326		0.56	%	2,407,559		1.68	%
Total interest-bearing deposits	8,707,553		0.17	%	8,531,822		0.21	%	8,395,229		0.56	%	8,620,173		0.19	%	7,993,010		0.71	%
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	235,324		0.09	%	251,705		0.11	%	693,474		0.74	%	243,469		0.10	%	1,023,666		1.25	%
Long-term debt	513,790		3.23	%	634,674		2.77	%	579,345		3.29	%	573,898		2.98	%	480,627		3.58	%
Total borrowed funds	749,114		2.25	%	886,379		2.01	%	1,272,819		1.90	%	817,367		2.12	%	1,504,293		2.00	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	9,456,667		0.33	%	9,418,201		0.38	%	9,668,048		0.74	%	9,437,540		0.36	%	9,497,303		0.91	%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits	4,003,626				3,840,046				3,335,866				3,922,288				2,989,553
Other liabilities	491,489				511,658				520,425				501,518				432,658
Shareholders' equity	2,263,687				2,272,749				2,185,865				2,268,193				2,197,799
Total liabilities & shareholders' equity	$	16,215,469			$	16,042,654			$	15,710,204			$	16,129,539			$	15,117,313
Net interest income	$	114,026			$	113,876			$	111,576			$	227,902			$	225,858
Net interest spread			3.16	%			3.23	%			3.17	%			3.19	%			3.32	%
Net interest margin			3.27	%			3.35	%			3.38	%			3.31	%			3.54	%
Tax equivalent adjustment			0.04	%			0.05	%			0.06	%			0.04	%			0.06	%
Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)			3.31	%			3.40	%			3.44	%			3.35	%			3.60	%
(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans 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	$	(1,551)	$	2,296	$	745	$	(4,723)	$	5,705	$	982	$	(8,880)	$	9,925	$	1,045
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks	(3)		0		(3)		3		(25)		(22)		(114)		(22)		(136)
Gross loans (2)	(1,333)		(104)		(1,437)		(6,716)		(1,690)		(8,406)		(30,812)		5,562		(25,250)
Total earning assets	(2,887)		2,192		(695)		(11,436)		3,990		(7,446)		(39,806)		15,465		(24,341)
Interest-bearing liabilities
Total interest-bearing deposits	$	(754)	$	114	$	(640)	$	(8,190)	$	132	$	(8,058)	$	(20,674)	$	584	$	(20,090)
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings	(11)		(3)		(14)		(1,118)		(103)		(1,221)		(5,856)		(385)		(6,241)
Long-term debt	727		(918)		(191)		(89)		(528)		(617)		(1,431)		1,377		(54)
Total borrowed funds	716		(921)		(205)		(1,207)		(631)		(1,838)		(7,287)		992		(6,295)
Total interest-bearing liabilities	(38)		(807)		(845)		(9,397)		(499)		(9,896)		(27,961)		1,576		(26,385)
Net interest income (1)	$	(2,849)	$	2,999	$	150	$	(2,039)	$	4,489	$	2,450	$	(11,845)	$	13,889	$	2,044
(1) Not tax equivalent.
(2) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.

9

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CREDIT QUALITY
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
																Six months ended
	June 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			June 30,			June 30,
	2021			2021			2020			2020			2020			2021			2020
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSS ACTIVITY
Balance at beginning of period	$	169,923		$	175,679		$	168,544		$	158,661		$	143,885		$	175,679		$	57,650
Day one adoption impact of ASC 326	0			0			0			0			0			0			61,505
Provision for credit losses	(4,756)			3,450			13,758			15,299			17,859			(1,306)			41,739
Gross charge-offs
Commercial and industrial	3,729			7,910			1,505			1,467			1,282			11,639			2,373
Lease financing	0			0			0			852			0			0			0
Construction real estate	0			2			0			0			0			2			0
Commercial real estate	2,041			1,250			6,270			3,789			2,037			3,291			2,041
Residential real estate	46			1			203			22			148			47			263
Home equity	240			611			386			460			428			851			695
Installment	77			36			21			59			7			113			68
Credit card	179			222			169			171			234			401			545
Total gross charge-offs	6,312			10,032			8,554			6,820			4,136			16,344			5,985
Recoveries
Commercial and industrial	205			337			367			265			275			542			2,275
Lease financing	0			0			(6)			6			0			0			0
Construction real estate	3			0			3			0			14			3			14
Commercial real estate	75			195			844			760			424			270			658
Residential real estate	54			44			145			91			93			98			145
Home equity	317			177			428			209			156			494			495
Installment	37			34			65			35			27			71			58
Credit card	44			39			85			38			64			83			107
Total recoveries	735			826			1,931			1,404			1,053			1,561			3,752
Total net charge-offs	5,577			9,206			6,623			5,416			3,083			14,783			2,233
Ending allowance for credit losses	$	159,590		$	169,923		$	175,679		$	168,544		$	158,661		$	159,590		$	158,661
NET CHARGE-OFFS TO AVERAGE LOANS AND LEASES (ANNUALIZED)
Commercial and industrial	0.48		%	1.01		%	0.14		%	0.14		%	0.13		%	0.75		%	0.01		%
Lease financing	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.03		%	4.29		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%
Construction real estate	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	0.00		%	(0.01)		%	0.00		%	(0.01)		%
Commercial real estate	0.18		%	0.10		%	0.50		%	0.28		%	0.15		%	0.14		%	0.06		%
Residential real estate	0.00		%	(0.02)		%	0.02		%	(0.03)		%	0.02		%	(0.01)		%	0.02		%
Home equity	(0.04)		%	0.24		%	(0.02)		%	0.13		%	0.14		%	0.10		%	0.05		%
Installment	0.19		%	0.01		%	(0.21)		%	0.12		%	(0.10)		%	0.10		%	0.03		%
Credit card	1.12		%	1.59		%	0.69		%	1.16		%	1.54		%	1.35		%	1.86		%
Total net charge-offs	0.23		%	0.38		%	0.26		%	0.21		%	0.12		%	0.30		%	0.05		%
COMPONENTS OF NONPERFORMING LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS, AND UNDERPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual loans (1)
Commercial and industrial	$	27,426		$	24,941		$	29,230		$	34,686		$	33,906		$	27,426		$	33,906
Lease financing	16			0			0			1,092			1,353			16			1,353
Construction real estate	0			0			0			0			0			0			0
Commercial real estate	45,957			44,514			34,682			24,521			14,002			45,957			14,002
Residential real estate	9,480			11,359			11,601			12,104			12,813			9,480			12,813
Home equity	3,376			4,286			5,076			5,374			5,604			3,376			5,604
Installment	115			146			163			153			201			115			201
Nonaccrual loans	86,370			85,246			80,752			77,930			67,879			86,370			67,879
Accruing troubled debt restructurings (TDRs)	12,070			11,608			7,099			7,759			8,377			12,070			8,377
Total nonperforming loans	98,440			96,854			87,851			85,689			76,256			98,440			76,256
Other real estate owned (OREO)	340			854			1,287			1,643			1,872			340			1,872
Total nonperforming assets	98,780			97,708			89,138			87,332			78,128			98,780			78,128
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	155			92			169			79			124			155			124
Total underperforming assets	$	98,935		$	97,800		$	89,307		$	87,411		$	78,252		$	98,935		$	78,252
Total classified assets	$	182,516		$	196,782		$	142,021		$	134,002		$	125,543		$	182,516		$	125,543
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for credit losses to
Nonaccrual loans	184.77		%	199.33		%	217.55		%	216.28		%	233.74		%	184.77		%	233.74		%
Nonperforming loans	162.12		%	175.44		%	199.97		%	196.69		%	208.06		%	162.12		%	208.06		%
Total ending loans	1.68		%	1.71		%	1.77		%	1.65		%	1.56		%	1.68		%	1.56		%
Nonperforming loans to total loans	1.03		%	0.97		%	0.89		%	0.84		%	0.75		%	1.03		%	0.75		%
Nonperforming assets to
Ending loans, plus OREO	1.04		%	0.98		%	0.90		%	0.86		%	0.77		%	1.04		%	0.77		%
Total assets	0.62		%	0.60		%	0.56		%	0.55		%	0.49		%	0.62		%	0.49		%
Nonperforming assets, excluding accruing TDRs to
Ending loans, plus OREO	0.91		%	0.87		%	0.83		%	0.78		%	0.68		%	0.91		%	0.68		%
Total assets	0.54		%	0.53		%	0.51		%	0.50		%	0.44		%	0.54		%	0.44		%
Classified assets to total assets	1.14		%	1.22		%	0.89		%	0.84		%	0.79		%	1.14		%	0.79		%
(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $21.5 million, $20.9 million, $14.7 million, $29.3 million, and $32.7 million, as of June 30, 2021, March 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, September 30, 2020, and June 30, 2020, respectively.

10

FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
																Six months ended,
	June 30,			Mar. 31,			Dec. 31,			Sep. 30,			June 30,			June 30,			June 30,
	2021			2021			2020			2020			2020			2021			2020
PER COMMON SHARE
Market Price
High	$	26.02		$	26.40		$	17.77		$	15.15		$	16.38		$	26.40		$	25.52
Low	$	23.35		$	17.62		$	12.07		$	11.40		$	11.52		$	17.62		$	11.52
Close	$	23.63		$	24.00		$	17.53		$	12.01		$	13.89		$	23.63		$	13.89
Average shares outstanding - basic	96,123,645			96,873,940			97,253,787			97,247,080			97,220,748			96,496,720			97,478,719
Average shares outstanding - diluted	97,009,712			97,727,527			98,020,534			98,008,733			97,988,600			97,366,640			98,172,408
Ending shares outstanding	96,199,509			97,517,693			98,021,929			97,999,763			98,018,858			96,199,509			98,018,858
Total shareholders' equity	$	2,269,507		$	2,258,942		$	2,282,070		$	2,247,815		$	2,221,019		$	2,269,507		$	2,221,019
REGULATORY CAPITAL	Preliminary															Preliminary
Common equity tier 1 capital	$	1,333,209		$	1,334,882		$	1,325,922		$	1,293,716		$	1,267,609		$	1,333,209		$	1,267,609
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio	11.78		%	11.81		%	11.82		%	11.63		%	11.49		%	11.78		%	11.49		%
Tier 1 capital	$	1,376,333		$	1,377,892		$	1,368,818		$	1,336,497		$	1,310,276		$	1,376,333		$	1,310,276
Tier 1 ratio	12.16		%	12.19		%	12.20		%	12.02		%	11.87		%	12.16		%	11.87		%
Total capital	$	1,732,930		$	1,741,755		$	1,744,802		$	1,708,817		$	1,676,532		$	1,732,930		$	1,676,532
Total capital ratio	15.31		%	15.41		%	15.55		%	15.37		%	15.19		%	15.31		%	15.19		%
Total capital in excess of minimum requirement	$	544,478		$	554,834		$	566,795		$	541,263		$	517,902		$	544,478		$	517,902
Total risk-weighted assets	$	11,318,590		$	11,304,012		$	11,219,114		$	11,119,560		$	11,034,570		$	11,318,590		$	11,034,570
Leverage ratio	9.14		%	9.34		%	9.55		%	9.55		%	8.98		%	9.14		%	8.98		%
OTHER CAPITAL RATIOS
Ending shareholders' equity to ending assets	14.15		%	13.97		%	14.29		%	14.11		%	13.99		%	14.15		%	13.99		%
Ending tangible shareholders' equity to ending tangible assets (1)	8.37		%	8.22		%	8.47		%	8.25		%	8.09		%	8.37		%	8.09		%
Average shareholders' equity to average assets	13.96		%	14.17		%	14.07		%	14.08		%	13.91		%	14.06		%	14.54		%
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets (1)	8.23		%	8.38		%	8.26		%	8.18		%	7.94		%	8.30		%	8.34		%
REPURCHASE PROGRAM (2)
Shares repurchased	1,308,945			840,115			0			0			0			2,149,060			880,000
Average share repurchase price	$	25.11		$	21.40		N/A			N/A			N/A			$	23.66		$	18.96
Total cost of shares repurchased	$	32,864		$	17.982		N/A			N/A			N/A			$	50,846		$	16,686
(1) Non-GAAP measure. For details on the calculation of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation to the GAAP financial measure, see the sections titled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this release and “Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation” in the accompanying slide presentation.
(2) Represents share repurchases as part of publicly announced plans.
N/A = Not applicable

11

EX-99.2

® Earnings Presentation Second Quarter 2021 Exhibit 99.2

Forward Looking Statement Disclosure 2 Certain statements contained in this report which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘anticipates,’’ “likely,” “expected,” “estimated,” ‘‘intends’’ and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make about (i) our future operating or financial performance, including revenues, income or loss and earnings or loss per share, (ii) future common stock dividends, (iii) our capital structure, including future capital levels, (iv) our plans, objectives and strategies, and (v) the assumptions that underlie our forward-looking statements. As with any forecast or projection, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead express only management’s beliefs regarding future results or events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of management’s control. It is possible that actual results and outcomes may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results or outcomes indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include the following, without limitation: • economic, market, liquidity, credit, interest rate, operational and technological risks associated with the Company’s business; • future credit quality and performance, including our expectations regarding future loan losses and our allowance for credit losses; • the effect of and changes in policies and laws or regulatory agencies, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and other legislation and regulation relating to the banking industry; (iv) management’s ability to effectively execute its business plans; • mergers and acquisitions, including costs or difficulties related to the integration of acquired companies; • the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the Company’s acquisitions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; • the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices; • changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving and changes in unemployment; • changes in customers’ performance and creditworthiness; • the costs and effects of litigation and of unexpected or adverse outcomes in such litigation; • current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of declines in housing prices, high unemployment rates, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, and any slowdown in global economic growth; • the adverse impact on the U.S. economy, including the markets in which we operate, of the novel coronavirus, which causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”), global pandemic, and the impact of a slowing U.S. economy and increased unemployment on the performance of our loan and lease portfolio, the market value of our investment securities, the availability of sources of funding and the demand for our products; • our capital and liquidity requirements (including under regulatory capital standards, such as the Basel III capital standards) and our ability to generate capital internally or raise capital on favorable terms;

Forward Looking Statement Disclosure 3 • financial services reform and other current, pending or future legislation or regulation that could have a negative effect on our revenue and businesses, including the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation and regulation relating to bank products and services; • the effect of the current interest rate environment or changes in interest rates or in the level or composition of our assets or liabilities on our net interest income, net interest margin and our mortgage originations, mortgage servicing rights and mortgage loans held for sale; • the effect of a fall in stock market prices on our brokerage, asset and wealth management businesses; • a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors or other service providers, including as a result of cyber attacks; • the effect of changes in the level of checking or savings account deposits on our funding costs and net interest margin; and • our ability to develop and execute effective business plans and strategies. Additional factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements can be found in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as our other filings with the SEC, which are available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements included in this filing are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available at the time of the filing. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

2Q 2021 Results 123rd Consecutive Quarter of Profitability 4 EOP assets decreased $137.2 million compared to the linked quarter to $16.0 billion EOP loans decreased $422.5 million compared to the linked quarter to $9.5 billion Average deposits increased $339.3 million compared to the linked quarter to $12.7 billion EOP investment securities increased $190.2 million compared to the linked quarter Balance Sheet Profitability Asset Quality Income Statement Capital Noninterest income - $43.0 million Noninterest expense - $99.6 million; $91.8 million as adjusted Efficiency ratio - 63.46%. Adjusted1 efficiency ratio - 58.42% Effective tax rate of 17.4%. Adjusted1 effective tax rate of 19.1% Net interest income - $114.0 million. Net interest margin of 3.27% on a GAAP basis; 3.31% on a fully tax equivalent basis1 Net income - $50.9 million or $0.52 per diluted share. Adjusted1 net income - $56.3 million or $0.58 per diluted share2 Return on average assets - 1.26%. Adjusted1 return on average assets - 1.39% Return on average shareholders’ equity - 9.02%. Adjusted1 return on average shareholders’ equity - 9.97% Return on average tangible common equity - 16.31%1. Adjusted1 return on average tangible common equity - 18.03% Provision recapture - $4.2 million. Net charge-offs - $5.6 million. NCOs / Avg. Loans - 0.23% annualized Nonperforming Loans / Total Loans - 1.03%. Nonperforming Assets / Total Assets - 0.62% ACL / Nonaccrual Loans - 184.77%. Classified Assets / Total Assets - 1.14% ACL / Total loans - 1.68%; 1.75% of loans excluding PPP Total capital ratio - 15.31% Tier 1 common equity ratio - 11.78% Tangible common equity ratio - 8.37%; 8.61% excluding PPP loans Tangible book value per share - $13.08 Repurchased 1,308,945 shares during the quarter 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation. 2 See Slide 27 for Adjusted Earnings detail. 1

2Q 2021 Highlights Quarterly earnings driven by strong fee income and lower credit costs Adjusted1 earnings per share - $0.58 Adjusted1 return on assets - 1.39% Adjusted1 pre-tax, pre-provision return on assets - 1.62% Adjusted1 return on average tangible common equity - 18.03% Loan balances declined primarily due to PPP payoffs/forgiveness; strong core deposit growth Loan balances decreased $422.5 million compared to the linked quarter; PPP loan balances decreased $288.8 million Average transactional deposit balances grew $469.6 million compared to the linked quarter; 17.8% on an annualized basis Noninterest bearing deposits were 31.2% of total deposits at June 30, 2021 Net interest margin (FTE) in line with expectations 9 bp decrease from first quarter driven by lower asset yields, higher securities balances and day count Net interest margin, excluding loan fees and loan accretion, decreased 7 bp compared to the linked quarter Strong adjusted1 noninterest income of $43.1 million, with record foreign exchange income Foreign exchange income of $12.0 million, an increase of $1.3 million, or 11.9%, compared to the linked quarter Wealth management fees of $6.2 million, an increase of $0.6 million, or 10.4%, compared to the linked quarter Bankcard income of $3.7 million, an increase of $0.6 million, or 19.3%, compared to the linked quarter Mortgage banking revenue remained elevated at $8.5 million; decline from the linked quarter due to lower premiums Core expenses increased $1.8 million from the linked quarter, driven by increase in employee related costs and increases in marketing and professional services expenses Adjusted1 noninterest expense of $91.8 million; Adjusted1 for $3.8 million of legal settlement costs, $2.8 million of branch consolidation costs and $1.2 million of tax credit investment writedowns Efficiency ratio of 63.5%; 58.4% as adjusted1 Allowance for credit loss (ACL) and provision expense declined compared to linked quarter Loans and leases - ACL of $159.6 million; 1.68% of total loans, 1.75% excluding PPP; $4.8 million provision recapture Unfunded Commitments - ACL of $13.6 million; $0.5 million provision expense Lower provision expense driven by improved credit outlook, as well as lower net charge-offs and classified asset balances Effective tax rate of 17.4% positively impacted by tax credit investment; 19.1% as adjusted1 Strong capital ratios Total capital of 15.31%; Tier 1 common equity of 11.78%; Tangible common equity of 8.37% Tangible book value increased by $0.30 to $13.08 Tangible common equity of 8.61% excluding PPP 1,308,945 shares repurchased in second quarter 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliations. 5

Adjusted Net Income1 6 The table below lists certain adjustments that the Company believes are significant to understanding its quarterly performance. 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliations. All dollars shown in thousands, except per share amounts As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted Net interest income 114,026$ 114,026$ 113,876$ 113,876$ Provision for credit losses-loans and leases (4,756)$ (4,756)$ 3,450$ 3,450$ Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments 517$ 517$ 538$ 538$ Noninterest income 42,987$ 42,987$ 40,322$ 40,322$ less: gains (losses) on investment securities - (104) A - (54) A less: other - - A - 193 A Total noninterest income 42,987$ 43,091$ 40,322$ 40,183$ Noninterest expense 99,643$ 99,643$ 92,506$ 92,506$ less: severance and merger-related expenses - 98 A - 1,261 A less: tax credit investment - 1,156 A - 208 A less: legal settlement - 3,825 A - - A less: other - 2,772 A - 1,054 A Total noninterest expense 99,643$ 91,792$ 92,506$ 89,983$ Income before income taxes 61,609$ 69,564$ 57,704$ 60,088$ Income tax expense 10,721$ 10,721$ 10,389$ 10,389$ plus: after-tax impact of tax credit investment @ 21% - 913 - 164 plus: tax effect of adjustments (A) @ 21% statutory rate - 1,671 - 501 Total income tax expense 10,721$ 13,305$ 10,389$ 11,054$ Net income 50,888$ 56,259$ 47,315$ 49,034$ Net earnings per share - diluted 0.52$ 0.58$ 0.48$ 0.50$ Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets 1.42% 1.62% 1.56% 1.62% 2Q 2021 1Q 2021

Profitability 7 Return on Average Assets Return on Avg Tangible Common Equity Diluted EPS 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition. See Appendix for Non-GAAP reconciliation. Efficiency Ratio $0.52$0.48$0.49 $0.42$0.38 $0.58  $0.50 $0.51  $0.44  $0.40  2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Diluted EPS Adjusted EPS 1 1.26%1.20%1.20%1.04%0.96% 1.39% 1.24%1.23% 1.09% 1.00% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 ROA Adjusted ROA 1 16.31%15.24%15.50%13.61%12.90% 18.03% 15.80%15.94% 14.18%13.47% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 ROATCE Adjusted ROATCE 1 57.5% 60.3% 63.8% 60.0% 63.5% 56.1% 58.9% 56.8% 58.4% 58.4% 2Q20 3Q20 4Q20 1Q21 2Q21 Efficiency Ratio Adjusted Efficiency Ratio 1

Net Interest Income & Margin 8 Net Interest Margin (FTE) 2Q21 NIM (FTE) Progression Net Interest Income All dollars shown in millions $3.4$3.2$5.5$3.8$3.3 $3.5$3.4$3.9$5.4$5.8 $9.2$10.0 $12.5 $6.2$4.5 $114.0$113.9 $118.5 $112.2$111.6 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Loan Fees Loan Accretion PPP Interest/Fees 2.89%2.96%2.91%2.97%3.09% 0.10%0.09%0.15%0.11% 0.10% 0.10%0.10%0.12%0.16% 0.17% 0.22% 0.25%0.31%0.12% 0.08% 3.31% 3.40% 3.49% 3.36% 3.44% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Basic Margin (FTE) Loan Fees Loan Accretion PPP Fees 1Q21 3.40% Increase in securities -0.03% PPP and other loan fees -0.02% Asset yields/mix -0.05% Deposit/funding costs/mix 0.03% Day count -0.02% 2Q21 3.31%

Average Balance Sheet 9 Average Loans Average Securities Average Deposits All dollars shown in millions 1 Includes loans fees and loan accretion $12,711$12,372$11,925$11,563$11,731 0.12%0.14%0.20% 0.27% 0.40% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Total Deposits Cost of Deposits $4,130$3,783$3,404$3,163$3,164 2.37% 2.54%2.71%2.86%2.97% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Average Investment Securities Investment Securities Yield $9,832$9,952$10,128$10,253 $10,002 3.98%4.03% 4.18% 4.00% 4.25% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Gross Loans Loan Yield (Gross)1

Loan Portfolio 10 Loan LOB Mix (EOP) Net Loan Change-LOB (Linked Quarter) 1 Net of unearned fees of $16.6 million All dollars shown in millions Total growth/(decline):    ($422.5 million) ‐$44.9 ‐$27.4 $14.5 ‐$16.3 ‐$40.2 ‐$19.4 ‐$288.8 ICRE Commercial & Small Business Banking Consumer Mortgage Oak Street Franchise PPPICRE $3,959  42% Commercial &  Small Business  Banking $2,401  25% Consumer $820  9% Mortgage $999  10% Oak Street $545  6% Franchise $387  4% PPP $401  4% Total $9.5 Billion 1

Loan Concentrations 11 C&I Loans by Industry 1 CRE Loans by Collateral 2 1 Industry types included in Other representing greater than 1% of total C&I loans include Agriculture, Transportation & Warehousing, Public Administration, Arts & Recreation, and Waste Management. Includes owner-occupied CRE. 2 Collateral types included in Other representing greater than 1% of total CRE loans include Medical Office, Residential Multi Family 5+ Construction, Student Housing, Real Estate IUB Other, and Commercial Lot. Residential, Multi  Family 5+ 24% Retail 20% Office 14% Hotel/Motel 12% Nursing/Assisted  Living 6% Restaurant 3% Industrial Facility 3% Residential, 1‐4  Family 3% Warehouse 2%Other 13% CRE Loans: $3.9B Finance &  Insurance 16% Manufacturing 14% Real Estate 12% Accommodation  & Food Services 11% Health Care 7% Construction 7% Professional &  Tech 5% Wholesale Trade 5% Retail Trade 5%Other Services 4% Other 14% C&I Loans: $3.7B

Deposits 12 Deposit Product Mix (Avg) 2Q21 Average Deposit Progression All dollars shown in millions Total growth/(decline):    $339.3 million Interest‐bearing  demand $1,789  14% Noninterest‐ bearing $3,790  30% Savings $1,251  10% Money Markets $2,294  18% Retail CDs $1,020  8% Brokered CDs $541  4% Public Funds $2,026  16% Total $12.7 billion                                     $53.2 $136.9 $97.3 $1.3 ‐$44.4 ‐$76.8 $171.8 Interest‐bearing demand Noninterest‐bearing Savings Money Markets Retail CDs Brokered CDs Public Funds

Noninterest Income 13 Noninterest Income 2Q21 Highlights All dollars shown in thousands Total fee income 27.4% of net revenue Record foreign exchange income of $12.0 million; increased $1.3 million, or 11.9%, from the linked quarter Record trust and wealth management fees of $6.2 million; increased $0.6 million, or 10.4%, from the linked quarter Bankcard income of $3.7 million; increased $0.6 million, or 19.3%, from the linked quarter Mortgage banking income of $8.5 million; decreased $1.0 million, or 10.2%, from the linked quarter Service Charges $7,537  18% Wealth Mgmt $6,216  14% Bankcard income $3,732  9% Client derivative fees $1,795  4% Foreign exchange  income $12,037  28% Mortgage  origination  income $8,489  20% Other  $3,181  7% Total $43.0 million

Noninterest Expense 14 Noninterest Expense 2Q21 Highlights All dollars shown in thousands Core expenses increased $1.8 million from the linked quarter, driven by higher employee costs, marketing costs and professional services Operating adjustments include: $3.8 million legal settlement $2.8 million of branch consolidation costs $1.2 million tax credit investment write-down Salaries and  benefits $60,784  61%Occupancy and  equipment $8,906  9% Data processing $7,864  8% Professional  services $2,029  2% Intangible  amortization $2,480  2% Other $17,580  18% Total $99.6 million

Current Expected Credit Losses - Loans and Leases 15 ACL / Total Loans 2Q21 Highlights All dollars shown in thousands $159.6 million ACL – loans and leases, or 1.68% of loan balances; 1.75% excluding PPP $4.8 million provision recapture; decline driven by improved credit outlook, lower net charge-offs and classified asset balances Utilized June Moody’s baseline forecast in quantitative model $13.6 million ACL – unfunded commitments; $0.5 million provision expense for this portion of the ACL ACL by Loan Type 1 $159.6$169.9$175.7$168.5$158.7 1.68% 1.71%1.77% 1.65% 1.56% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Allowance for Credit Losses ACL / Total Loans 2Q20 3Q20 4Q20 1Q21 2Q21 Loans Commercial and industrial 50,421$       50,516$       51,454$       45,139$       46,797$       Lease financing 1,431           1,287           995              1,015           1,457           Real estate ‐construction 15,357         18,970         21,736         22,734         20,359         Real estate ‐ commercial 62,340         72,207         76,795         78,669         70,305         Real estate ‐ residential 10,581         9,286           8,560           7,748           6,879           Home equity 14,236         12,530         11,869         10,760         9,684           Installment  1,226           1,237           1,215           1,235           1,211           Credit card 3,069           2,511           3,055           2,623           2,898           ACL‐loan and lease losses  158,661$     168,544$     175,679$     169,923$     159,590$         ACL‐unfunded commitments  16,678$       14,753$       12,503$       13,040$       13,558$       All dollars shown in millions

Asset Quality 16 Nonperforming Assets / Total AssetsClassified Assets / Total Assets Net Charge Offs & Provision Expense1 . 1 Provision includes both loans & leases and unfunded commitments All dollars shown in millions 1 1 $182.5 $196.8 $142.0$134.0$125.5 1.14% 1.22% 0.89%0.84%0.79% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Classified Assets Classified Assets / Total Assets $98.8$97.7 $89.1$87.3 $78.1 0.62%0.60% 0.56%0.55% 0.49% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 NPAs NPAs / Total Assets $3.1 $5.4 $6.6 $9.2 $5.6 $20.2 $13.4 $11.5 $4.0 ‐$4.2 0.23% 0.38% 0.26%0.21% 0.12% 2Q20 3Q20 4Q20 1Q21 2Q21 NCOs Provision Expense NCOs / Average Loans

Capital 17 Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio Total Capital Ratio Tangible Common Equity Ratio 6/30 Risk Weighted Assets = $11,318,590 All capital numbers are considered preliminary. Tier 1 Capital Ratio 8.37%8.22% 8.47% 8.25%8.09% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Tangible Common Equity Ratio 11.78%11.81%11.82%11.63%11.49% 7.00% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Tier 1 Common Equity Ratio Basel III minimum 15.31%15.41%15.55%15.37%15.19% 10.50% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Total Capital Ratio Basel III minimum 12.16%12.19%12.20%12.02%11.87% 8.50% 2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Tier 1 Capital Ratio Basel III minimum

Capital Strategy 18 Strategy & DeploymentTangible Book Value Per Share 3.9% annualized dividend yield 1,308,945 shares repurchased in second quarter at an average price of $25.11 98% of adjusted(1) earnings returned to shareholders in 2Q21 through common dividend and share repurchases Most recent internal stress testing indicates capital ratios above regulatory minimums in all modeled scenarios Common dividend expected to remain unchanged in near-term $13.08  $12.78  $12.93  $12.56  $12.26  2Q211Q214Q203Q202Q20 Tangible Book Value per Share 1 Non-GAAP financial measure which management believes facilitates a better understanding of the Company’s financial condition.

® Supplemental Information

CARES Act Modifications as of 6/30/21 $182 million of total active modifications; 2% of total loans $181 million of loan modifications making interest only payments $0.6 million, or 0.3% full payment deferrals 100% of active commercial deferrals are interest only payments $118 million, or 65% of total deferrals are hotel loans Deferral portfolio running off as expected $93 million, or 51% of remaining deferrals are expected to expire in December of 2021 All deferrals expected to expire by end of year No material credit issues among loans that have exited deferral 20 All dollars shown in millions Active deferrals by round Active modifications by category Hotel $118  65% Other $29  16% Franchise $35  19% Round 1 $0.4  0% Round 2 $9.9  6% Round 3 $171.4  94%

Area of Focus - Hotel Portfolio $450 million balance represents 4.7% of the total loan portfolio $118 million, or 100% of total hotel deferrals, making interest only payments as of 6/30/21 Continued improvement in hotel performance, trending toward pre-pandemic levels Limited deterioration in average LTV reflected in updated appraisals received Minimal exposure to large convention center hotels $45.5 million rated substandard or worse 21 All dollars shown in millions Hotels by Flag Hotels by Geography $154  34% $160  36% $63  14% $35  8% $38  8% Marriott Hilton IHG Choice Other $348  77% $102  23% Footprint Out of Footprint

Area of Focus - Franchise Portfolio $387 million in balances or 4% of total loans Drive thru and delivery continue to provide strong performance while a portion of our sit- down book navigates pandemic related headwinds $35 million, or 9% of total franchise loans are in deferral as of 6/30/2021; all sit down concepts $100% are making interest only payments $20.0 million rated substandard or worse 22 Top 10 Concepts Sit-down ConceptsRestaurant Type All dollars shown in millions Delivery $107  28% Drive Thru $170  44% Sit Down $110  28% $0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40 Golden Corral Denny's Jersey Mike's IHOP five guys Subway QDOBA Other Ba la nc es Deferral Making full payments 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% $0 $20 $40 $60 $80 $100 $120 %  o f   Po rt fo lio Ba la nc es   Balances % of Portfolio

Outlook Commentary1 Loan balance growth expected to be in low single digits, excluding impact of PPP, over the remainder of the year Securities balances expected to remain consistent with 6/30/21 balances Deposit balances expected to remain stable over the near-term 23 Expected to be $91-93 million, but will fluctuate with fee incomeNoninterest Expense Net Interest Margin Balance Sheet Credit Provision recapture expected for remainder of the year Allowance for credit losses expected to decline in second half of 2021 Noninterest Income Mortgage banking income expected to decline due to lower premiums Foreign exchange income expected to be $10-11 million Total fee income expected to be $39-41 million 1 See Forward Looking Statement Disclosure on page 2-3 of this presentation for a discussion of factors that could affect management’s expectations and results in future periods. Will be impacted by timing of PPP forgiveness fees Expected to be under modest pressure from the low interest rate environment, excess liquidity on the balance sheet and increases to the securities portfolio Capital Will continue to evaluate capital deployment opportunities Share repurchases expected to continue in 3Q21

The Company’s Investor Presentation contains certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Such non-GAAP financial information should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. However, we believe that non-GAAP reporting provides meaningful information and therefore we use it to supplement our GAAP information. We have chosen to provide this supplemental information to investors, analysts and other interested parties to enable them to perform additional analyses of operating results, to illustrate the results of operations giving effect to the non-GAAP adjustments and to provide an additional measure of performance. We believe this information is helpful in understanding the results of operations separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportional positive or negative impact in any given period. For a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP financial measures and the most comparable GAAP measures, please refer to the following reconciliation tables. to GAAP Reconciliation 24 Appendix: Non-GAAP Measures

Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation 25 All dollars shown in thousands Net interest income and net interest margin - fully tax equivalent June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, 2021 2021 2020 2020 2020 Net interest income 114,026$ 113,876$ 118,473$ 112,180$ 111,576$ Tax equivalent adjustment 1,619 1,652 1,613 1,628 1,664 Net interest income - tax equivalent 115,645$ 115,528$ 120,086$ 113,808$ 113,240$ Average earning assets 14,007,765$ 13,781,760$ 13,675,604$ 13,456,501$ 13,258,612$ Net interest margin1 3.27 % 3.35 % 3.45 % 3.32 % 3.38 % Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent)1 3.31 % 3.40 % 3.49 % 3.36 % 3.44 % Three months ended 1 Margins are calculated using net interest income annualized divided by average earning assets. The tax equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and assumes a 21% tax rate. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin and net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis. Therefore, management believes these measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to make peer comparisons. Management also uses these measures to make peer comparisons.

Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation 26 All dollars shown in thousands Additional non-GAAP ratios June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sep. 30, June 30, (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2021 2021 2020 2020 2020 Net income (a) 50,888$ 47,315$ 48,312$ 41,477$ 37,393$ Average total shareholders' equity 2,263,687 2,272,749 2,256,062 2,230,422 2,185,865 Less: Goodwill (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) Other intangibles (60,929) (63,529) (66,195) (69,169) (72,086) MSR's (13,310) (12,749) (12,186) (11,274) (10,254) Average tangible equity (b) 1,251,677 1,258,700 1,239,910 1,212,208 1,165,754 Total shareholders' equity 2,269,507 2,258,942 2,282,070 2,247,815 2,221,019 Less: Goodwill (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) Other intangibles (59,391) (61,984) (64,552) (67,419) (70,325) MSR's (14,142) (13,156) (12,810) (12,011) (11,250) Ending tangible equity (c) 1,258,203 1,246,031 1,266,937 1,230,614 1,201,673 Total assets 16,037,919 16,175,071 15,973,134 15,925,647 15,870,890 Less: Goodwill (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) Other intangibles (59,391) (61,984) (64,552) (67,419) (70,325) MSR's (14,142) (13,156) (12,810) (12,011) (11,250) Ending tangible assets (d) 15,026,615 15,162,160 14,958,001 14,908,446 14,851,544 Risk-weighted assets (e) 11,318,590 11,304,012 11,219,114 11,119,560 11,034,570 Total average assets 16,215,469 16,042,654 16,030,986 15,842,010 15,710,204 Less: Goodwill (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) (937,771) Other intangibles (60,929) (63,529) (66,195) (69,169) (72,086) MSR's (13,310) (12,749) (12,186) (11,274) (10,254) Average tangible assets (f) 15,203,459$ 15,028,605$ 15,014,834$ 14,823,796$ 14,690,093$ Ending shares outstanding (g) 96,199,509 97,517,693 98,021,929 97,999,763 98,018,858 Ratios Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (a)/(b) 16.31% 15.24% 15.50% 13.61% 12.90% Ending tangible equity as a percent of: Ending tangible assets (c)/(d) 8.37% 8.22% 8.47% 8.25% 8.09% Risk-weighted assets (c)/(e) 11.12% 11.02% 11.29% 11.07% 10.89% Average tangible equity as a percent of average tangible assets (b)/(f) 8.23% 8.38% 8.26% 8.18% 7.94% Tangible book value per share (c)/(g) 13.08$ 12.78$ 12.93$ 12.56$ 12.26$ Three months ended

Appendix: Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliation 27 Additional non-GAAP measures 4Q20 3Q20 2Q20 As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted As Reported Adjusted Net interest income (f) 114,026$ 114,026$ 113,876$ 113,876$ 118,473$ 118,473$ 112,180$ 112,180$ 111,576$ 111,576$ Provision for credit losses-loans and leases (j) (4,756) (4,756) 3,450 3,450 13,758 13,758 15,299 15,299 17,859 17,859 Provision for credit losses-unfunded commitments (j) 517 517 538 538 (2,250) (2,250) (1,925) (1,925) 2,370 2,370 Noninterest income 42,987 42,987 40,322 40,322 61,515 61,515 49,499 49,499 42,725 42,725 less: gains (losses) on sale of investment securities (104) (54) 196 20 128 less: gains from the redemption of Visa B shares - - 13,397 - - less: other - 193 (157) - - Total noninterest income (g) 42,987 43,091 40,322 40,183 61,515 48,079 49,499 49,479 42,725 42,597 Noninterest expense 99,643 99,643 92,506 92,506 114,798 114,798 97,511 97,511 88,689 88,689 less: severance and merger-related expenses 98 1,261 29 95 35 less: tax credit investments 1,156 208 5,071 - - less: contribution to First Financial Foundation - - 5,000 - - less: debt extinguishment - - 7,257 - - less: legal settlement 3,825 - - - - less: COVID-19 and other 2,772 1,054 2,877 2,126 2,167 Total noninterest expense (e) 99,643 91,792 92,506 89,983 114,798 94,564 97,511 95,290 88,689 86,487 Income before income taxes (i) 61,609 69,564 57,704 60,088 53,682 60,480 50,794 52,995 45,383 47,457 Income tax expense 10,721 10,721 10,389 10,389 5,370 5,370 9,317 9,317 7,990 7,990 plus: tax effect of adjustments 913 501 1,428 462 436 plus: after-tax impact of tax credit investments @ 21% 1,671 164 4,005 Total income tax expense (h) 10,721 13,305 10,389 11,054 5,370 10,803 9,317 9,779 7,990 8,426 Net income (a) 50,888$ 56,259$ 47,315$ 49,034$ 48,312$ 49,677$ 41,477$ 43,216$ 37,393$ 39,031$ Average diluted shares (b) 97,010 97,010 97,728 97,728 98,021 98,021 98,009 98,009 97,989 97,989 Average assets (c) 16,215,469 16,215,469 16,042,654 16,042,654 16,030,986 16,030,986 15,842,010 15,842,010 15,710,204 15,710,204 Average shareholders' equity 2,263,687 2,263,687 2,272,749 2,272,749 2,256,062 2,256,062 2,230,422 2,230,422 2,185,865 2,185,865 Less: Goodwill and other intangibles (1,012,010) (1,012,010) (1,014,049) (1,014,049) (1,016,152) (1,016,152) (1,018,214) (1,018,214) (1,020,111) (1,020,111) Average tangible equity (d) 1,251,677 1,251,677 1,258,700 1,258,700 1,239,910 1,239,910 1,212,208 1,212,208 1,165,754 1,165,754 Ratios Net earnings per share - diluted (a)/(b) 0.52$ 0.58$ 0.48$ 0.50$ 0.49$ 0.51$ 0.42$ 0.44$ 0.38$ 0.40$ Return on average assets - (a)/(c) 1.26% 1.39% 1.20% 1.24% 1.20% 1.23% 1.04% 1.09% 0.96% 1.00% Pre-tax, pre-provision return on average assets - ((a)+(j)+(h))/(c) 1.42% 1.62% 1.56% 1.62% 1.62% 1.79% 1.61% 1.67% 1.68% 1.73% Return on average tangible shareholders' equity - (a)/(d) 16.31% 18.03% 15.24% 15.80% 15.50% 15.94% 13.61% 14.18% 12.90% 13.47% Efficiency ratio - (e)/((f)+(g)) 63.5% 58.4% 60.0% 58.4% 63.8% 56.8% 60.3% 58.9% 57.5% 56.1% Effective tax rate - (h)/(i) 17.4% 19.1% 18.0% 18.4% 10.0% 17.9% 18.3% 18.5% 17.6% 17.8% (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2Q21 1Q21

® First Financial Bancorp First Financial Center 255 East Fifth Street Cincinnati, OH 45202

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Document and Entity Information Document	Jul. 22, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Jul. 22, 2021
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	OH
Entity File Number	001-34762
Entity Tax Identification Number	31-1042001
Entity Address, Address Line One	255 East Fifth Street, Suite 800
Entity Address, City or Town	Cincinnati,
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	45202
City Area Code	877
Local Phone Number	322-9530
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000708955
Amendment Flag	false
NASDAQ/NMS (GLOBAL MARKET) [Member]
Entity Listings [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, No par value
Trading Symbol	FFBC
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ