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Table of Content
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q


☒ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended                                           September 30, 2023                                                   

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________________ to ____________________

Commission file number 001-34762
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP /OH/
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio31-1042001
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
255 East Fifth Street, Suite 800Cincinnati,Ohio45202
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, No par valueFFBC The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
☐
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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of Exchange Act).
Yes  ☐ No   ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. The registrant has one class of common stock (no par value) with 95,121,687 shares outstanding at November 2, 2023.

Table of Content
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP.

INDEX

 Page No.
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  


Table of Content
Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms

First Financial has identified the following list of abbreviations and acronyms that are used in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

ABLAsset backed lendingForm 10-KFirst Financial Bancorp. Annual Report on Form 10-K
ACLAllowance for credit lossesFRBFederal Reserve Bank
AFSAvailable-for-saleFTEFully tax equivalent
AllowanceCollectively or individually, Allowance for credit lossesGAAPU.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
AOCIAccumulated other comprehensive incomeHTCHistoric tax credit
ASCAccounting standards codificationHTMHeld-to-maturity
ASUAccounting standards updateInsignificantLess than $0.1 million
BankFirst Financial BankIRLCInterest rate lock commitment
Basel IIIBasel Committee regulatory capital reforms, Third Basel AccordLGDLoss given default
BGF or BannockburnBannockburn Global Forex, LLCLIHTCLow income housing tax credit
Bp/bpsBasis point(s)MD&A
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
BOLIBank owned life insuranceMSFGMainSource Financial Group, Inc.
CARES ActCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ActN/ANot applicable
CDsCertificates of depositNIINet interest income
C&ICommercial & industrialNMTCNew market tax credit
CRECommercial real estateOREOOther real estate owned
CompanyFirst Financial Bancorp.PCAPrompt corrective action
DDADemand deposit accountPCDPurchased credit deteriorated
Dodd-FrankDodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection ActPPPPaycheck Protection Program
ERMEnterprise risk managementR&SReasonable and Supportable
EVEEconomic value of equityROURight-of-use
Fair Value TopicFASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value MeasurementSABStaff Accounting Bulletin
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards BoardSECU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
FDICFederal Deposit Insurance CorporationSFG or SummitSummit Funding Group, Inc.
FDMFinancial difficulty modificationSOFRSecured Overnight Financing Rate
FHLBFederal Home Loan BankTopic 842FASB ASC Topic 842, Leasing
FINRAFinancial Industry Regulatory AuthorityTDRTroubled debt restructuring
First FinancialFirst Financial Bancorp.USDUnited States dollars



Table of Content
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM I - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
September 30,
2023		December 31,
2022
 (Unaudited) 
Assets  
Cash and due from banks$220,335 $207,501 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks452,867 388,182 
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $3,526,096 at September 30, 2023 and $3,827,418 at December 31, 2022)
3,044,361 3,409,648 
Investment securities held-to-maturity (fair value $69,845 at September 30, 2023 and $76,485 at December 31, 2022)
81,236 84,021 
Other investments133,725 143,160 
Loans held for sale, at fair value12,391 7,918 
Loans and leases
Commercial & industrial3,420,873 3,410,272 
Lease financing399,973 236,124 
Construction real estate578,824 512,050 
Commercial real estate3,992,654 4,052,759 
Residential real estate1,293,470 1,092,265 
Home equity743,991 733,791 
Installment160,648 209,895 
Credit card56,386 51,815 
Total loans and leases10,646,819 10,298,971 
Less: Allowance for credit losses(145,201)(132,977)
Net loans and leases10,501,618 10,165,994 
Premises and equipment192,572 189,080 
Operating leases136,883 91,738 
Goodwill1,005,868 1,001,507 
Other intangibles86,378 93,919 
Accrued interest and other assets1,186,618 1,220,648 
Total assets$17,054,852 $17,003,316 
Liabilities  
Deposits  
Interest-bearing demand$2,880,617 $3,037,153 
Savings4,023,455 3,828,139 
Time2,572,909 1,700,705 
Total interest-bearing deposits9,476,981 8,565,997 
Noninterest-bearing3,438,572 4,135,180 
Total deposits12,915,553 12,701,177 
FHLB short-term borrowings755,000 1,130,000 
Other short-term borrowings219,188 157,156 
Total short-term borrowings974,188 1,287,156 
Long-term debt340,902 346,672 
Total borrowed funds1,315,090 1,633,828 
Accrued interest and other liabilities694,700 626,938 
Total liabilities14,925,343 14,961,943 
Shareholders' equity  
Common stock - no par value  
Authorized - 160,000,000 shares; Issued - 104,281,794 shares at both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022
1,636,054 1,634,605 
Retained earnings1,101,905 968,237 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(410,005)(358,663)
Treasury stock, at cost, 9,164,614 shares at September 30, 2023 and 9,390,695 shares at December 31, 2022
(198,445)(202,806)
Total shareholders' equity2,129,509 2,041,373 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$17,054,852 $17,003,316 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
 2023202220232022
Interest income  
Loans and leases, including fees$192,261 $122,170 $546,354 $306,443 
Investment securities
Taxable31,297 26,331 95,226 72,066 
Tax-exempt3,522 5,014 10,499 14,361 
Total interest on investment securities34,819 31,345 105,725 86,427 
Other earning assets5,011 1,597 12,488 2,222 
Total interest income232,091 155,112 664,567 395,092 
Interest expense  
Deposits57,069 6,386 132,817 11,972 
Short-term borrowings14,615 6,158 43,101 8,041 
Long-term borrowings4,952 4,676 14,644 13,832 
Total interest expense76,636 17,220 190,562 33,845 
Net interest income155,455 137,892 474,005 361,247 
Provision for credit losses - loans and leases 12,907 7,898 34,270 (1,958)
Provision for credit losses - unfunded commitments (1,234)386 (1,393)3,641 
Net interest income after provision for credit losses143,782 129,608 441,128 359,564 
Noninterest income  
Service charges on deposit accounts6,957 6,279 20,443 21,656 
Wealth management fees6,943 5,487 19,990 17,858 
Bankcard income3,406 3,484 10,690 10,644 
Client derivative fees1,612 1,447 4,444 3,619 
Foreign exchange income13,384 11,752 45,321 35,373 
Leasing business income14,537 7,127 38,466 20,450 
Net gain from sales of loans4,086 3,729 10,260 12,842 
Net gain (loss) on sales of investment securities(4)(179)(407)(176)
Net gain (loss) on equity securities(54)(701)4 (1,954)
Other5,761 4,109 16,218 13,294 
Total noninterest income56,628 42,534 165,429 133,606 
Noninterest expenses  
Salaries and employee benefits75,641 66,808 222,094 195,747 
Net occupancy5,809 5,669 17,100 16,774 
Furniture and equipment3,341 3,222 10,020 9,990 
Data processing8,473 8,497 27,364 25,095 
Marketing2,598 2,523 7,560 6,546 
Communication744 657 2,022 1,993 
Professional services2,524 2,346 6,778 6,719 
State intangible tax981 1,090 2,930 3,311 
FDIC assessments2,665 1,885 8,297 5,021 
Intangible assets amortization2,600 2,783 7,801 8,612 
Leasing business expense8,877 5,746 23,545 14,302 
Other7,791 23,842 23,841 36,797 
Total noninterest expenses122,044 125,068 359,352 330,907 
Income before income taxes78,366 47,074 247,205 162,263 
Income tax expense (benefit)15,305 (8,631)48,074 13,737 
Net income$63,061 $55,705 $199,131 $148,526 
Net earnings per common share - basic$0.67 $0.60 $2.12 $1.59 
Net earnings per common share - diluted$0.66 $0.59 $2.09 $1.57 
Average common shares outstanding - basic94,030,275 93,582,250 93,896,716 93,507,831 
Average common shares outstanding - diluted95,126,269 94,793,766 95,085,871 94,504,453 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
2023202220232022
Net income$63,061 $55,705 $199,131 $148,526 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities arising during the period(55,397)(111,433)(49,808)(354,912)
Change in retirement obligation164 261 411 861 
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives(1,493)0 (1,824)0 
Unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency exchange(269)(70)(121)(86)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (56,995)(111,242)(51,342)(354,137)
Comprehensive income (loss)$6,066 $(55,537)$147,789 $(205,611)
                   See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Third quarter
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 Common StockRetainedAccumulated other comprehensiveTreasury stock 
 SharesAmountEarningsincome (loss)SharesAmountTotal
Balance at July 1, 2022104,281,794 $1,637,237 $887,006 $(243,328)(9,833,002)$(212,245)$2,068,670 
Net income 55,705 55,705 
Other comprehensive income (loss)(111,242)(111,242)
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock at $0.23 per share
(21,768)(21,768)
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures(8,420)385,172 8,308 (112)
Share-based compensation expense2,879 2,879 
Balance at September 30, 2022104,281,794 $1,631,696 $920,943 $(354,570)(9,447,830)$(203,937)$1,994,132 
Balance at July 1, 2023104,281,794 $1,632,659 $1,060,715 $(353,010)(9,096,311)$(196,945)$2,143,419 
Net income63,061 63,061 
Other comprehensive income (loss)(56,995)(56,995)
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock at $0.23 per share
(21,871)(21,871)
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures(1,165)(68,303)(1,500)(2,665)
Share-based compensation expense4,560 4,560 
Balance at September 30, 2023104,281,794 $1,636,054 $1,101,905 $(410,005)(9,164,614)$(198,445)$2,129,509 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Year-to-date
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 Common StockRetainedAccumulated other comprehensiveTreasury stock 
 SharesAmountEarningsincome (loss)SharesAmountTotal
Balance at January 1, 2022104,281,794 $1,640,358 $837,473 $(433)(10,132,554)$(218,456)$2,258,942 
Net income 148,526 148,526 
Other comprehensive income (loss)(354,137)(354,137)
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock at $0.69 per share
(65,056)(65,056)
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased(160)15,660 337 177 
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures(17,209)669,064 14,182 (3,027)
Share-based compensation expense8,707 8,707 
Balance at September 30, 2022104,281,794 $1,631,696 $920,943 $(354,570)(9,447,830)$(203,937)$1,994,132 
Balance at January 1, 2023104,281,794 $1,634,605 $968,237 $(358,663)(9,390,695)$(202,806)$2,041,373 
Net income199,131 199,131 
Other comprehensive income (loss)(51,342)(51,342)
Cash dividends declared:
Common stock at $0.69 per share
(65,463)(65,463)
Exercise of stock options, net of shares purchased(57)4,855 105 48 
Restricted stock awards, net of forfeitures(11,845)221,226 4,256 (7,589)
Share-based compensation expense13,351 13,351 
Balance at September 30, 2023104,281,794 $1,636,054 $1,101,905 $(410,005)(9,164,614)$(198,445)$2,129,509 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine months ended
September 30,
 20232022
Operating activities  
Net income$199,131 $148,526 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for (recapture of) credit losses32,877 1,683 
Depreciation and amortization22,667 23,845 
Stock-based compensation expense13,351 8,707 
Pension expense (income)2,634 1,590 
Net amortization (accretion) on investment securities5,565 10,544 
Net (gain) loss on sales of investment securities407 176 
Net (gain) loss from equity securities(4)1,954 
Originations of loans held for sale(219,708)(311,143)
Net gains from sales of loans held for sale(10,260)(12,842)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale222,454 317,852 
Deferred income taxes4,522 9,418 
Amortization of operating leases5,736 5,709 
Payments for operating leases(5,857)(5,865)
Decrease (increase) cash surrender value of life insurance(3,882)(1,559)
Decrease (increase) in interest receivable(7,724)(6,697)
(Decrease) increase in interest payable39,863 2,069 
Decrease (increase) in other assets52,738 (281,714)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities16,290 261,953 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities370,800 174,206 
Investing activities  
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale4,821 116,796 
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities available-for-sale326,181 594,016 
Purchases of securities available-for-sale(35,718)(454,759)
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of securities held-to-maturity2,937 12,790 
Purchases of other investment securities(4,521)(37,758)
Proceeds from calls, paydowns and maturities of other securities13,960 8 
Net decrease (increase) in interest-bearing deposits with other banks(64,685)(124,167)
Net decrease (increase) in loans and leases(367,240)(490,687)
Proceeds from disposal of other real estate owned252 170 
Purchases of premises and equipment(18,134)(9,762)
Net change in operating leases(45,145)(22,574)
Net cash (paid for) acquired from acquisitions(3,535)0 
Life insurance death benefits3,246 4,676 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(187,581)(411,251)
Financing activities  
Net (decrease) increase in total deposits214,376 (532,019)
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings(312,968)864,844 
Payments on long-term debt(6,337)(55,369)
Cash dividends paid on common stock(65,504)(65,066)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options48 177 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(170,385)212,567 
Cash and due from banks  
Change in cash and due from banks12,834 (24,478)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period207,501 220,031 
Cash and due from banks at end of period$220,335 $195,553 
(continued on next page)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)


Nine months ended
September 30,
20232022
Supplemental disclosures
Interest paid$150,699 $30,820 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds$8,392 $4,847 
Investment securities purchased not settled$0 $45,494 
Supplemental schedule for investing activities
Business combinations
Assets acquired, net of purchase consideration$(3,420)$692 
Liabilities assumed941 (1,635)
Goodwill$4,361 $(2,327)


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2023
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1:  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation. The Consolidated Financial Statements of First Financial Bancorp., a financial holding company principally serving Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois, include the accounts and operations of First Financial and its wholly-owned subsidiary, First Financial Bank. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain reclassifications of prior periods' amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.

These interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they may not include all of the information and accompanying notes necessary to constitute a complete set of financial statements required by GAAP and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.  Management believes these unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year or any other interim period.  The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited financial statements in the Company’s 2022 Form 10-K.

Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes.  Actual realized amounts could differ materially from these estimates.
NOTE 2:  ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED OR ISSUED

Standards Adopted in 2023

In March, 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02 - Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. This standard eliminates the accounting guidance on TDRs for creditors in ASC 310-40 and amends the guidance on “vintage disclosures” to require disclosure of current period gross write-offs by year of origination. The ASU also updates the requirements related to accounting for credit losses under ASC 326 and adds enhanced disclosures for creditors with respect to loan refinancings and restructurings for borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, for any entities that have adopted ASU 2016-13 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The adoption of this standard resulted in amended disclosures in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, but did not materially impact the Company's results of operations.

Standards Adopted in 2022

During the first quarter of 2022, the SEC issued SAB No. 121. This bulletin adds interpretive guidance on the accounting and disclosure of obligations to safeguard crypto assets held for platform users. This guidance was applicable no later than the financial statements covering the first interim or annual period ending after June 15, 2022. Management reviewed its business activities and determined SAB 121 was not impactful to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as the Company did not safeguard crypto assets at the time of adoption or as of September 30, 2023.

Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In March, 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-02, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method, that is intended to improve the accounting and disclosures for investments in tax credit structures. The ASU is a ratification of the FASB’s EITF consensus that was issued in December, 2022. The ASU allows reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits.

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The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. First Financial is currently evaluating the impact of this update its Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 3:  INVESTMENTS

For the three months ended September 30, 2023, there were $0.1 million sales of AFS securities with no gross realized gains or gross realized losses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, there were $4.8 million of sales of AFS securities with no gross realized gains and gross realized losses of $0.4 million. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, there were $111.8 million sales of AFS securities with gross realized gains of $0.2 million and gross realized losses of $0.4 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, there were $116.8 million of sales of AFS securities with gross realized gains of $0.3 million and gross realized losses of $0.4 million.

The following is a summary of HTM and AFS investment securities as of September 30, 2023:
  
Held-to-maturityAvailable-for-sale
(Dollars in thousands)Amortized
cost		Unrecognized gainUnrecognized lossFair
value		Amortized
cost		Unrealized
gain		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value
U.S. Treasuries$0 $0 $0 $0 $37,085 $0 $(4,943)$32,142 
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations0 0 0 0 81,434 0 (15,309)66,125 
Mortgage-backed securities - residential 0 0 0 0 705,681 0 (121,198)584,483 
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 33,399 0 (5,958)27,441 599,969 0 (50,399)549,570 
Collateralized mortgage obligations8,410 0 (1,182)7,228 488,590 0 (75,659)412,931 
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions8,177 17 (530)7,664 814,669 472 (151,398)663,743 
Asset-backed securities0 0 0 0 661,779 0 (49,679)612,100 
Other securities31,250 0 (3,738)27,512 136,889 0 (13,622)123,267 
Total$81,236 $17 $(11,408)$69,845 $3,526,096 $472 $(482,207)$3,044,361 

The following is a summary of HTM and AFS investment securities as of December 31, 2022:
  
Held-to-maturityAvailable-for-sale
(Dollars in thousands)Amortized
cost		Unrecognized gainUnrecognized
loss		Fair
value		Amortized
cost		Unrealized
gain		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value
U.S. Treasuries$0 $0 $0 $0 $37,312 $0 $(4,616)$32,696 
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations0 0 0 0 80,382 0 (13,914)66,468 
Mortgage-backed securities - residential 0 0 0 0 747,478 47 (97,462)650,063 
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 35,363 0 (4,114)31,249 676,934 2 (47,374)629,562 
Collateralized mortgage obligations9,280 0 (827)8,453 538,970 181 (61,439)477,712 
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions8,128 105 (201)8,032 832,066 565 (124,168)708,463 
Asset-backed securities0 0 0 0 772,261 39 (60,975)711,325 
Other securities31,250 0 (2,499)28,751 142,015 0 (8,656)133,359 
Total$84,021 $105 $(7,641)$76,485 $3,827,418 $834 $(418,604)$3,409,648 

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The following table provides a summary of investment securities by contractual maturity as of September 30, 2023, except for residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities, which are shown as single totals due to the unpredictability of the timing in principal repayments.
 Held-to-maturityAvailable-for-sale
(Dollars in thousands)Amortized
cost		Fair
value		Amortized
cost		Fair
value
By Contractual Maturity:
Due in one year or less$0 $0 $9,534 $9,435 
Due after one year through five years4,164 4,064 129,631 117,854 
Due after five years through ten years33,505 29,652 269,634 228,912 
Due after ten years1,758 1,460 661,278 529,076 
Mortgage-backed securities - residential 0 0 705,681 584,483 
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 33,399 27,441 599,969 549,570 
Collateralized mortgage obligations8,410 7,228 488,590 412,931 
Asset-backed securities0 0 661,779 612,100 
Total$81,236 $69,845 $3,526,096 $3,044,361 

Unrealized gains and losses on debt securities available-for-sale are generally due to fluctuations in current market yields relative to the yields of the securities at their amortized cost. All AFS securities with unrealized losses are reviewed quarterly to determine if any impairment exists, requiring a write-down to fair value. For AFS securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through income. For debt securities available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis for the security, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded, limited to the amount that the fair value of the security is less than its amortized cost basis.

First Financial does not intend to sell, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell, debt securities prior to maturity or recovery of the recorded value. Additionally, based on the Company's credit assessment of AFS securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company recorded no reserves for the periods ended September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

As of September 30, 2023, the Company's investment securities portfolio consisted of 1,041 securities, of which 919 were in an unrealized loss position. As of December 31, 2022, the Company's investment securities portfolio consisted of 1,251 securities, of which 891 were in an unrealized loss position.

Primarily all of First Financial’s HTM debt securities are issued by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. These securities carry the explicit and/or implicit guarantee of the U.S. government, are widely recognized as “risk free,” and have a long history of zero credit loss. The remainder of the Company's HTM securities are non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations and obligations of state and other political subdivisions which currently carry ratings no lower than A+. There were no HTM securities on nonaccrual status or past due at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

Management measures expected credit losses on HTM debt securities on a collective basis by security type. The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical credit loss information that is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company did not record an ACL for these securities as of September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

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The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses of AFS investment securities in an unrealized loss position for which an ACL has not been recorded, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position:

 September 30, 2023
 Less than 12 months12 months or moreTotal
(Dollars in thousands)Fair
value		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value		Unrealized
loss
U.S. Treasuries$2,146 $(40)$29,996 $(4,903)$32,142 $(4,943)
Securities of U.S. Government agencies and corporations0 0 66,125 (15,309)66,125 (15,309)
Mortgage-backed securities - residential 77,097 (4,853)507,386 (116,345)584,483 (121,198)
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial 14,712 (650)533,334 (49,749)548,046 (50,399)
Collateralized mortgage obligations26,373 (1,091)386,540 (74,568)412,913 (75,659)
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions95,647 (6,574)530,379 (144,824)626,026 (151,398)
Asset-backed securities28,394 (448)578,706 (49,231)607,100 (49,679)
Other securities9,713 (287)113,554 (13,335)123,267 (13,622)
Total$254,082 $(13,943)$2,746,020 $(468,264)$3,000,102 $(482,207)

 December 31, 2022
 Less than 12 months12 months or moreTotal
(Dollars in thousands)Fair
value		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value		Unrealized
loss
U.S. Treasuries$2,383 $(46)$30,313 $(4,570)$32,696 $(4,616)
Securities of U.S. Government agencies and corporations0 0 66,468 (13,914)66,468 (13,914)
Mortgage-backed securities - residential195,972 (10,413)443,415 (87,049)639,387 (97,462)
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial440,207 (18,823)175,530 (28,551)615,737 (47,374)
Collateralized mortgage obligations199,138 (12,453)269,242 (48,986)468,380 (61,439)
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions295,913 (31,196)368,673 (92,972)664,586 (124,168)
Asset-backed securities250,946 (9,410)422,090 (51,565)673,036 (60,975)
Other securities118,262 (6,865)9,959 (1,791)128,221 (8,656)
Total$1,502,821 $(89,206)$1,785,690 $(329,398)$3,288,511 $(418,604)

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The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses of HTM investment securities in an unrealized loss position for which an ACL has not been recorded, aggregated by investment category and the length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position:
September 30, 2023
Less than 12 months12 months or moreTotal
(Dollars in thousands)Fair
value		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value		Unrealized
loss
U.S. Treasuries$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 
Securities of U.S. Government agencies and corporations0 0 0 0 0 0 
Mortgage-backed securities - residential0 0 0 0 0 0 
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial0 0 27,441 (5,958)27,441 (5,958)
Collateralized mortgage obligations0 0 7,228 (1,182)7,228 (1,182)
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions4,656 (231)1,459 (299)6,115 (530)
Asset-backed securities0 0 0 0 0 0 
Other securities0 0 27,512 (3,738)27,512 (3,738)
Total$4,656 $(231)$63,640 $(11,177)$68,296 $(11,408)

December 31, 2022
Less than 12 months12 months or moreTotal
(Dollars in thousands)Fair
value		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value		Unrealized
loss		Fair
value		Unrealized
loss
U.S. Treasuries$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 
Securities of U.S. Government agencies and corporations0 0 0 0 0 0 
Mortgage-backed securities - residential0 0 0 0 0 0 
Mortgage-backed securities - commercial17,656 (2,197)13,593 (1,917)31,249 (4,114)
Collateralized mortgage obligations6,317 (606)2,136 (221)8,453 (827)
Obligations of state and other political subdivisions5,160 (201)0 0 5,160 (201)
Asset-backed securities0 0 0 0 0 0 
Other securities7,081 (418)21,670 (2,081)28,751 (2,499)
Total$36,214 $(3,422)$37,399 $(4,219)$73,613 $(7,641)

For further detail on the fair value of investment securities, see Note 17 – Fair Value Disclosures.

NOTE 4:  LOANS AND LEASES

First Financial offers clients a variety of commercial and consumer loan and lease products with diverse interest rates and payment terms. Commercial loan categories include C&I, CRE, construction real estate and lease financing. Consumer loan categories include residential real estate, home equity, installment and credit card.

Lending activities are primarily concentrated in states where the Bank operates banking centers (Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois). First Financial also has certain lending platforms that extend beyond the geographic banking center footprint to provide financing to franchise owners and clients within the financial services industry as well as equipment lease financing to commercial businesses.

Credit Quality. To facilitate the monitoring of credit quality for commercial loans, First Financial utilizes the following categories of credit grades:

Pass - Higher quality loans that do not fit any of the other categories described below.
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Special Mention - First Financial assigns a special mention rating to loans and leases with potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan, lease or First Financial's credit position at some future date.

Substandard - First Financial assigns a substandard rating to loans or leases that are inadequately protected by the current sound financial worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard loans and leases have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize repayment of the debt. Substandard loans and leases are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not addressed.

Doubtful - First Financial assigns a doubtful rating to loans and leases with all the attributes of a substandard rating with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors that may work to the advantage and strengthening of the credit quality of the loan or lease, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include proposed merger, acquisition or liquidation procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral and refinancing plans.

The credit grades previously described are derived from standard regulatory rating definitions and are assigned upon initial approval of credit to borrowers and updated periodically thereafter.

First Financial considers repayment performance to be the best indicator of credit quality for consumer loans. Consumer loans that have principal and interest payments that are past due by 90 days or more are generally classified as nonperforming. In 2022 and all years prior that are presented below, consumer loans that had been modified in a TDR were classified as nonperforming.

The following table sets forth the Company's loan portfolio at September 30, 2023 by risk attribute and origination date as well as current period gross chargeoffs:
(Dollars in thousands)20232022202120202019PriorTerm TotalRevolvingTotal
Commercial & industrial
Pass$591,753 $745,219 $454,198 $294,123 $140,937 $258,364 $2,484,594 $811,270 $3,295,864 
Special mention76 8,516 6,597 385 22,077 1,677 39,328 18,021 57,349 
Substandard3,138 8,140 12,788 2,927 1,058 11,264 39,315 28,345 67,660 
Doubtful0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Total$594,967 594967000$761,875 $473,583 $297,435 $164,072 $271,305 $2,563,237 $857,636 $3,420,873 
YTD Gross chargeoffs$0 $2,280 $2,011 $7,055 $76 $887 $12,309 $0 $12,309 
Lease financing
Pass$161,017 $210,492 $7,133 $1,635 $2,611 $1,047 $383,935 $0 $383,935 
Special mention3,3444,96300008,30708,307
Substandard2,6344,815103017907,73107,731
Total$166,995 $220,270 $7,236 $1,635 $2,790 $1,047 $399,973 $0 $399,973 
YTD Gross chargeoffs$0 $0 $179 $0 $0 $0 $179 $0 $179 
Construction real estate
Pass$141,951 $167,657 $180,340 $41,879 $7,009 $6,200 $545,036 $17,457 $562,493 
Special mention0 0 0 16,331 0 0 16,331 0 16,331 
Substandard0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Total$141,951 $167,657 $180,340 $58,210 $7,009 $6,200 $561,367 $17,457 $578,824 
YTD Gross chargeoffs$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 
Commercial real estate - investor
Pass$347,308 $628,892 $414,220 $277,051 $578,892 $652,738 $2,899,101 $34,574 $2,933,675 
Special mention0 8,894 25,214 8,763 32,934 9,246 85,051 397 85,448 
Substandard0 0 0 6,238 3,926 30,135 40,299 0 40,299 
Doubtful0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
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(Dollars in thousands)20232022202120202019PriorTerm TotalRevolvingTotal
Total$347,308 $637,786 $439,434 $292,052 $615,752 $692,119 $3,024,451 $34,971 $3,059,422 
YTD Gross chargeoffs$0 $0 $859 $2,030 $0 $3,119 $6,008 $0 $6,008 
Commercial real estate - owner
Pass$87,573 $168,301 $136,547 $148,233 $97,777 $251,283 $889,714 $8,501 $898,215 
Special mention406 47 4,992 1,106 469 21,016 28,036 0 28,036 
Substandard0 0 176 837 3 5,315 6,331 650 6,981 
Total$87,979 $168,348 $141,715 $150,176 $98,249 $277,614 $924,081 $9,151 $933,232 
YTD Gross chargeoffs$0 $0 $0 $2,643 $0 $71 $2,714 $0 $2,714 
Residential real estate
Performing$257,700 $246,156 $259,529 $190,804 $103,692 $220,983 $1,278,864 $0 $1,278,864 
Nonperforming74 805 2,077 2,814 2,395 6,441 14,606 0 14,606 
Total$257,774 $246,961 $261,606 $193,618 $106,087 $227,424 $1,293,470 $0 $1,293,470 
YTD Gross chargeoffs$0 $0 $8 $1 $21 $0 $30 $0 $30 
Home equity
Performing$21,254 $23,808 $30,022 $34,512 $10,357 $24,605 $144,558 $594,038 $738,596 
Nonperforming29 41 225 75 0 385 755 4,640 5,395 
Total$21,283 $23,849 $30,247 $34,587 $10,357 $24,990 $145,313 $598,678 $743,991 
YTD Gross chargeoffs$0 $0 $7 $0 $0 $159 $166 $0 $166 
Installment
Performing$14,442 $44,069 $26,816 $4,610 $2,119 $4,062 $96,118 $62,230 $158,348 
Nonperforming117 992 815 21 0 32 1,977 323 2,300 
Total$14,559 $45,061 $27,631 $4,631 $2,119 $4,094 $98,095 $62,553 $160,648 
YTD Gross chargeoffs$28 $2,170 $2,018 $154 $5 $13 $4,388 $0 $4,388 
Credit cards
Performing$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $55,688 $55,688 
Nonperforming0 0 0 0 0 0 0 698 698 
Total$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $56,386 $56,386 
YTD Gross chargeoffs$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $810 $810 
Grand Total Loans$1,632,816 $2,271,807 $1,561,792 $1,032,344 $1,006,435 $1,504,793 $9,009,987 $1,636,832 $10,646,819 
Grand Total YTD Gross Chargeoffs$28 $4,450 $5,082 $11,883 $102 $4,249 $25,794 $810 $26,604 
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The following table sets forth the Company's loan portfolio at December 31, 2022 by risk attribute and origination date:
(Dollars in thousands)20222021202020192018PriorTerm TotalRevolvingTotal
Commercial & industrial
Pass$879,836 $561,890 $348,123 $209,758 $112,282 $206,656 $2,318,545 $971,080 $3,289,625 
Special mention2,740 13,821 4,125 14,047 8,523 5,544 48,800 18,055 66,855 
Substandard2,335 5,176 11,886 8,016 3,331 13,812 44,556 9,236 53,792 
Total$884,911 $580,887 $364,134 $231,821 $124,136 $226,012 $2,411,901 $998,371 $3,410,272 
Lease financing
Pass$167,035 $25,638 $13,705 $12,797 $9,402 $2,930 $231,507 $0 $231,507 
Special mention007000070070 
Substandard4,363001641194,54704,547
Total$171,398 $25,638 $13,775 $12,961 $9,413 $2,939 $236,124 $0 $236,124 
Construction real estate
Pass$89,116 $276,639 $96,823 $4,902 $390 $353 $468,223 $23,266 $491,489 
Special mention0 14,395 0 0 6,166 0 20,561 0 20,561 
Substandard0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Total$89,116 $291,034 $96,823 $4,902 $6,556 $353 $488,784 $23,266 $512,050 
Commercial real estate - investor
Pass$643,174 $470,085 $301,510 $719,699 $300,772 $508,639 $2,943,879 $26,153 $2,970,032 
Special mention0 13,090 23,111 9,297 26,079 13,804 85,381 861 86,242 
Substandard0 6,950 6 4,025 17,178 9,631 37,790 0 37,790 
Total$643,174 $490,125 $324,627 $733,021 $344,029 $532,074 $3,067,050 $27,014 $3,094,064 
Commercial real estate - owner
Pass$165,411 $155,041 $170,587 $101,137 $112,063 $211,377 $915,616 $11,125 $926,741 
Special mention0 0 0 1,479 0 14,040 15,519 0 15,519 
Substandard0 525 844 5,114 3,501 6,451 16,435 0 16,435 
Doubtful0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Total$165,411 $155,566 $171,431 $107,730 $115,564 $231,868 $947,570 $11,125 $958,695 
Residential real estate
Performing$320,676 $274,816 $205,948 $110,745 $51,583 $114,642 $1,078,410 $0 $1,078,410 
Nonperforming414 1,615 1,286 2,554 1,755 6,231 13,855 0 13,855 
Total$321,090 $276,431 $207,234 $113,299 $53,338 $120,873 $1,092,265 $0 $1,092,265 
Home equity
Performing$26,411 $33,414 $38,226 $11,733 $8,051 $24,985 $142,820 $585,712 $728,532 
Nonperforming5 136 298 78 104 430 1,051 4,208 5,259 
Total$26,416 $33,550 $38,524 $11,811 $8,155 $25,415 $143,871 $589,920 $733,791 
Installment
Performing$100,256 $38,694 $7,244 $3,915 $2,861 $3,242 $156,212 $51,854 $208,066 
Nonperforming650 794 18 6 20 42 1,530 299 1,829 
Total$100,906 $39,488 $7,262 $3,921 $2,881 $3,284 $157,742 $52,153 $209,895 
Credit cards
Performing$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $51,287 $51,287 
Nonperforming0 0 0 0 0 0 0 528 528 
Total$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $51,815 $51,815 
Grand Total$2,402,422 $1,892,719 $1,223,810 $1,219,466 $664,072 $1,142,818 $8,545,307 $1,753,664 $10,298,971 


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Delinquency. Loans are considered past due or delinquent when the contractual principal or interest due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement remains unpaid after the date of the scheduled payment.

Loan delinquency, including loans classified as nonaccrual, was as follows:
 As of September 30, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)30 – 59
days
past due		60 – 89
days
past due		> 89 days
past due		Total
past
due		CurrentTotal> 89 days
past due
and still
accruing
Loans       
Commercial & industrial$480 $344 $6,629 $7,453 $3,413,420 $3,420,873 $0 
Lease financing12,566 1,671 5,307 19,544 380,429 399,973 503 
Construction real estate0 0 0 0 578,824 578,824 0 
Commercial real estate-investor112 0 6,238 6,350 3,053,072 3,059,422 0 
Commercial real estate-owner405 650 5,318 6,373 926,859 933,232 0 
Residential real estate4,123 1,776 2,234 8,133 1,285,337 1,293,470 0 
Home equity1,334 781 2,208 4,323 739,668 743,991 0 
Installment837 838 540 2,215 158,433 160,648 0 
Credit card331 243 196 770 55,616 56,386 195 
Total$20,188 $6,303 $28,670 $55,161 $10,591,658 $10,646,819 $698 

 As of December 31, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)30 – 59
days
past due		60 – 89
days
past due		> 89 days
past due		Total
past
due		CurrentTotal> 89 days
past due
and still
accruing
Loans       
Commercial & industrial$5,375 $72 $501 $5,948 $3,404,324 $3,410,272 $0 
Lease financing5,212 1,052 843 7,107 229,017 236,124 742 
Construction real estate0 0 0 0 512,050 512,050 0 
Commercial real estate-investor0 0 0 0 3,094,064 3,094,064 0 
Commercial real estate-owner26 5,216 44 5,286 953,409 958,695 0 
Residential real estate4,254 2,074 3,260 9,588 1,082,677 1,092,265 0 
Home equity1,725 729 1,209 3,663 730,128 733,791 0 
Installment874 490 414 1,778 208,117 209,895 0 
Credit card261 150 116 527 51,288 51,815 115 
Total$17,727 $9,783 $6,387 $33,897 $10,265,074 $10,298,971 $857 

Nonaccrual. Loans are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due. Generally, loans are classified as nonaccrual due to the continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms by the borrower, coupled with other pertinent factors. When a loan is classified as nonaccrual, the accrual of interest income is discontinued and previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed. Any payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied as a reduction to the carrying value of the loan. A loan classified as nonaccrual may return to accrual status if none of the principal and interest is past due, and the Bank expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest.

Financial Difficulty Modifications. Effective January 1, 2023, First Financial prospectively adopted ASU 2022-02 which eliminated the accounting for TDRs while establishing a new standard for the treatment of modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties, defined by First Financial as FDMs. As such, effective with the adoption of the standard, the Company prospectively will not include FDMs in the calculation of nonperforming loans, nonperforming assets or classified assets. Prior period data, which included TDRs, has not been adjusted.

FDM might result when a borrower is in financial distress, and may be in the form of principal forgiveness, an interest rate reduction, a term extension or an other-than-insignificant payment delay. In some cases, the Company might provide multiple types of modifications for a single loan. One type of modification, such as delay, may be granted initially, however, if the borrower continues to experience financial difficulty, another modification, such as term extension and/or interest rate reduction might be granted. Loans included in the "combination" column in the table that follows have more than one modification made to the same loan within the current reporting period. Additionally, modifications with a term extension or interest rate reduction
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are intended to reduce the borrower’s monthly payment, while modifications with a payment delay, which typically allow borrowers to make monthly payments, interest only payments for a period of time, are structured to cure the payment defaults by making delinquent payments due at maturity. Payment deferrals may be up to one year and have minimal financial impact since the deferred payments are paid at maturity.

The following table provides the amortized cost basis of FDM at September 30, 2023 that were modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 by class of loan and type of modification:
Three months ended September 30, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)Principal forgivenessPayment delayTerm extensionInterest rate reductionCombination: Term extension and interest rate reductionTotalPercent of total class of loans
Commercial & industrial$0 $2,834 $0 $0 $0 $2,834 0.08 %
Residential real estate0 756 0 0 0 756 0.06 %
Home equity0 0 0 0 0 00.00 %
Total$0 $3,590 $0 $0 $0 $3,590 0.03 %
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)Principal forgivenessPayment delayTerm extensionInterest rate reductionCombination: Term extension and interest rate reductionTotalPercent of total class of loans
Commercial & industrial$0 $2,834 $3,561 $0 $0 $6,395 0.19 %
Residential real estate0 1,772 99 0 57 1,928 0.15 %
Home equity0 168 0 0 15 1830.02 %
Total$0 $4,774 $3,660 $0 $72 $8,506 0.08 %

The following table provides the financial effect of FDM during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 by class of loans:
Three months ended September 30, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)Principal forgivenessWeighted average interest rate reductionWeighted average term extension
Commercial & industrial$0 0.00 %N/A
Residential real estate0 0.00 %N/A
Home equity0 0.00 %N/A
Total$0 0.00 %N/A
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)Principal forgivenessWeighted average interest rate reductionWeighted average term extension
Commercial & industrial$0 0.00 %0.2 years
Residential real estate0 2.00 %11.4 years
Home equity0 0.31 %22.6 years
Total$0 1.65 %0.8 years

The Company has committed to lend no additional amounts to the borrowers who have been classified as FDM. Additionally, there were four FDMs with a balance of $0.4 million made to borrowers that defaulted during the third quarter of 2023. There were five FDMs with a balance of $0.6 million that defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
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The Company closely monitors the performance of FDMs to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following table provides the performance of loans that have been modified since the January 1, 2023 adoption date of ASU 2022-02:
Payment status as of
September 30, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)Current30 – 59 days past due60 – 89 days past due> 89 days past dueTotal
Commercial & industrial$6,395 $0 $0 $0 $6,395 
Residential real estate1,334 538 0 57 1,929 
Home equity182 0 0 0 182 
Total$7,911 $538 $0 $57 $8,506 

Nonperforming loans. Effective January 1, 2023, loans classified as nonaccrual are considered nonperforming. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2022-02, nonperforming loans included nonaccrual loans as well as TDRs.

First Financial individually reviews all nonperforming loan relationships greater than $250,000 to determine if a specific reserve is required based on the borrower’s overall financial condition, resources and payment record, support from guarantors and the realizable value of any collateral. Specific reserves are based on discounted cash flows using the loan's initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral for certain collateral dependent loans.

The following table provides information on nonperforming loans:

September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)Nonaccrual loans with a related ACLNonaccrual loans with no related ACLTotal nonaccrualNonaccrual loans with a related ACLNonaccrual loans with no related ACLTotal nonaccrual
Nonaccrual loans (1)
  
Commercial & industrial$6,112 $11,040 $17,152 $6,692 $1,550 $8,242 
Lease financing4,860 2,871 7,731 0 178 178 
Construction real estate0 0 0 0 0 0 
Commercial real estate20,813 12,206 33,019 5,216 570 5,786 
Residential real estate0 12,328 12,328 0 10,691 10,691 
Home equity348 3,589 3,937 0 3,123 3,123 
Installment0 774 774 0 603 603 
Total nonaccrual loans$32,133 $42,808 $74,941 $11,908 $16,715 $28,623 
(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDR of $10.0 million as of December 31, 2022.

Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)2023202220232022
Interest income effect on nonperforming loans 
Gross amount of interest that would have been recorded under original terms$1,905 $855 $3,906 $2,443 
Interest included in income
Nonaccrual loans683 343 1,275 901 
Troubled debt restructurings0 126 0 288 
Total interest included in income683 469 1,275 1,189 
Net impact on interest income$1,222 $386 $2,631 $1,254 

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A loan is considered to be collateral dependent when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of collateral. The following table presents the amortized cost basis of collateral dependent loans by class of loan.
September 30, 2023
Type of Collateral
(Dollar in thousands)Business
assets		Commercial real estateEquipmentLandResidential real estateOtherTotal
Class of loan
Commercial & industrial$9,027 $0 $5,623 $0 $0 $2,502 $17,152 
Lease financing00 7,731 0 0 0 7,731 
Commercial real estate-investor027,051 0 0 0 0 27,051 
Commercial real estate-owner04,075 1,893 0 0 0 5,968 
Residential real estate00 0 0 12,328 0 12,328 
Home equity00003,937 0 3,937 
Installment00000 774 774 
Total$9,027 $31,126 $15,247 $0 $16,265 $3,276 $74,941 
December 31, 2022
Type of Collateral
(Dollar in thousands)Business
assets		Commercial real estateEquipmentLandResidential real estateOtherTotal
Class of loan
Commercial & industrial$8,205 $0 $0 $0 $0 $37 $8,242 
Lease financing00 178 0 0 0 178 
Commercial real estate-investor0353 0 0 22 0 375 
Commercial real estate-owner03,399 1,893 119 0 0 5,411 
Residential real estate00 0 0 10,691 0 10,691 
Home equity00003,123 0 3,123 
Installment00000 603 603 
Total$8,205 $3,752 $2,071 $119 $13,836 $640 $28,623 

Lease financing - Lessor. First Financial originates both sales-type and direct financing leases, and the Company manages and reviews lease residuals in accordance with its credit policies. Payments are generally fixed, however, in some agreements, lease payments are based on a rate or index plus a spread. Sales-type lease contracts contain the ability to purchase the underlying equipment at lease maturity and profit or loss is recognized at lease commencement.  Direct financing leases are generally three to five years in length and may be extended at maturity, however, early cancellation may result in a fee to the borrower.  For direct financing leases, the net unearned income is deferred and amortized over the life of the lease.

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The components of the Company's net investments in direct financing and sales-type leases, which are included in Lease financing on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:
(Dollar in thousands)September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Direct financing leases
Lease receivables$18,286 $35,081 
Unguaranteed residual values11,877 16,058 
Sales-type leases
Lease receivables366,198 184,985 
Unguaranteed residual values3,612 0 
Total net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases$399,973 $236,124 

Interest income for direct financing and sales-type leases was $6.8 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Interest income for direct financing and sales-type leases was $17.9 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

The remaining maturities of lease receivables were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)Direct financing and Sales-type
Remainder of 2023$26,182 
202490,986 
202581,807 
202672,374 
202776,416 
Thereafter93,287 
Total lease payments441,052 
Less: unearned interest income(56,568)
Net lease receivables$384,484 
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OREO. OREO consists of properties acquired by the Company primarily through the loan foreclosure or repossession process, that results in partial or total satisfaction of problem loans.

Changes in OREO were as follows:
Three months endedNine months ended
 September 30,September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)2023202220232022
Balance at beginning of period$281 $22 $191 $98 
Additions
Commercial real estate0 0 0 0 
Residential real estate68 0 387 136 
Total additions68 0 387 136 
Disposals  
Commercial real estate0 0 0 (98)
Residential real estate(167)0 (252)(72)
Total disposals(167)0 (252)(170)
Valuation adjustment  
Commercial real estate0 0 0 0 
Residential real estate(40)0 (184)(42)
Total valuation adjustment(40)0 (184)(42)
Balance at end of period$142 $22 $142 $22 

NOTE 5:  ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Allowance for credit losses - loans and leases. The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected. The ACL is increased by provision expense and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously charged-off. First Financial's policy is to charge-off all or a portion of a loan when, in management's opinion, it is unlikely to collect the principal amount owed in full either through payments from the borrower or a guarantor or from the liquidation of collateral. Similarly, upon the Company's determination that a modified loan (or portion of a loan) has subsequently been deemed uncollectible, the loan (or portion of the loan) is written off. Therefore, the amortized cost basis of the loan is reduced by the uncollectible amount and the allowance for credit losses is adjusted by the same amount. Cumulative recovery payments credited to the ACL for any loan do not exceed the amount charged-off. Accrued interest receivable on loans and leases, which totaled $54.0 million and $47.5 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, is excluded from the estimate of credit losses. 

Management estimates the allowance using relevant available information from both internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience paired with economic forecasts provides the basis for the quantitatively modeled estimation of expected credit losses. First Financial adjusts its quantitative model, as necessary, to reflect conditions not already considered by the quantitative model. These adjustments are commonly known as the Qualitative Framework.

The ACL is measured on a collective (pool) basis when similar risk characteristics exist. The Company has identified the following portfolio segments and measures the ACL using the following methods:

Commercial and industrial – C&I loans include revolving lines of credit and term loans to commercial customers for use in normal business operations to finance working capital needs, equipment purchases, leasehold improvements or other projects. C&I loans are generally underwritten individually and secured with the assets of the Company and/or the personal guarantee of the business owners. C&I loans also include ABL, equipment and leasehold improvement financing for franchisees in the quick service and casual dining restaurant sector and commission-based loans to insurance agents and brokers. ABL transactions typically involve larger commercial clients and are secured by specific assets, such as inventory, accounts receivable, machinery and equipment. In the franchise lending space, First Financial focuses on a limited number of restaurant concepts that have sound economics, low closure rates and strong brand awareness within specified local, regional or national
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markets. Within the insurance lending platform, First Financial serves insurance agents and brokers that are looking to maximize their book-of-business value and grow their agency business.

Current period default rates are utilized in the modeling of the ACL for C&I loans, and are adjusted for forecasted changes in the treasury term spread and market volatility index. Changes in current period defaults or forecasted expectations for these economic variables could result in volatility in the Company's ACL in future periods.

Lease financing – Lease financing consists of lease transactions for the acquisition of both new and used business equipment for commercial clients. Lease products may include tax leases, finance leases, lease lines of credit and interim funding. The credit underwriting for lease transactions includes detailed analysis of the lessee's industry and business model, nature of the equipment, equipment resale values, historical and projected cash flow analysis, secondary sources of repayment and guarantor support in addition to other considerations.

The ACL model for leases sources expected default rates from the C&I portfolio model. Therefore, changes in forecasted expectations for the treasury term spread and market volatility index could result in volatility in the Company's ACL in future periods.

Construction real estate – Real estate construction loans are term loans to individuals, companies or developers used for the construction or development of a commercial or residential property for which repayment will be generated by the sale or permanent financing of the property. Generally, these loans are for construction projects that have been pre-sold, pre-leased or have secured permanent financing, as well as loans to real estate companies with significant equity invested in the project. An independent credit team underwrites construction real estate loans, which are managed by experienced lending officers and monitored through the construction phase by a centralized funding desk that manages loan disbursements.

The construction ACL model is adjusted for forecasted changes in rental vacancy rates in the Bank's geographic footprint and the housing price index. Changes in forecasted expectations for these economic variables could result in volatility in the Company's ACL in future periods.

Commercial real estate - owner & investor – Commercial real estate loans consist of term loans secured by a mortgage lien on real estate properties such as apartment buildings, office and industrial buildings and retail shopping centers. Additionally, the Company's franchise lending activities discussed in the "Commercial and Industrial" section often include the financing of real estate in addition to equipment. The credit underwriting for both owner-occupied and investor income producing real estate loans includes detailed market analysis, historical and projected cash flow analysis, appropriate equity margins, assessment of lessees and lessors, environmental risks and the type, age, condition and location of real estate, among other factors.

First Financial models owner-occupied and investor CRE separately when determining the ACL. For owner occupied CRE, current period default rates are utilized in the modeling, and are adjusted for forecasted changes in the BAA bond spread, national rental vacancy rates and the consumer confidence index. Current period default rates are also utilized in the modeling of investor CRE loans, and are adjusted for forecasted changes in the BAA bond spread, multifamily building permits within the Bank’s geographic footprint and national rental vacancy rates. Changes in current period defaults and forecasted expectations for these economic variables could result in volatility in the Company's ACL in future periods.

Residential real estate – Residential real estate loans represent loans to consumers for the financing of a residence. These loans generally have a 15 to 30 year term and a fixed interest rate, but may have a shorter term to maturity with an adjustable interest rate. In most cases, these loans are extended to borrowers to finance their primary residence. First Financial sells residential real estate loan originations into the secondary market on both servicing retained and servicing released bases. Residential real estate loans are generally underwritten to secondary market lending standards, utilizing underwriting processes that rely on empirical data to assess credit risk as well as analysis of the borrower's ability to repay their obligations, credit history, the amount of any down payment and the market value or other characteristics of the property. First Financial also offers a residential mortgage product that features similar borrower credit characteristics but a more streamlined underwriting process than typically required to sell to government-sponsored enterprises and thus is retained on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The residential real estate ACL model is adjusted for forecasted changes in the housing price index, housing starts within the Bank’s geographic footprint and national single-family existing home sales. Changes in forecasted expectations for these economic variables could result in volatility in the Company's ACL in future periods.

Home equity – Home equity lending includes both term loans and revolving lines of credit secured by a first or second lien on the borrower’s residence. Home equity lending underwriting considerations include the borrower's credit history as well as to debt-to-income and loan-to-value policy limits.
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The home equity ACL model is adjusted for forecasted changes in the consumer credit growth rate within the Bank’s geographic footprint and the working-age labor participation rate. Changes in forecasted expectations for these economic variables could result in volatility in the Company's ACL in future periods.

Installment – Installment lending consists of consumer loans not secured by real estate, including loans secured by automobiles and unsecured personal loans.

The ACL model for installment loans sources expected default rates from the residential real estate and home equity portfolio models and is paired with installment specific LGD rates. Changes in forecasted expectations for the consumer credit growth rate within the Bank’s geographic footprint, the working-age labor participation rate, the housing price index, housing starts within the Bank’s geographic footprint and national existing single-family existing home sales could result in volatility in the Company's ACL in future periods.

Credit card – Credit card lending consists of secured and unsecured revolving lines of credit to consumer and business customers. Credit card lines are generally available for an indefinite period of time as long as the borrower's credit characteristics do not materially or adversely change, but lines are unconditionally cancellable by the Company at any time.

The ACL model for credit card loans sources expected default rates from the residential real estate and home equity portfolio models and is paired with credit card specific LGD rates. Changes in forecasted expectations for the consumer credit growth rate within the Bank’s geographic footprint, the working-age labor participation rate, the housing price index, housing starts within the Bank’s geographic footprint and national existing single-family existing home sales could result in volatility in the Company's ACL in future periods.

The Company utilized the Moody's September baseline forecast as its R&S forecast in the quantitative model. For reasonableness, the Company also considered the impact to the model from alternative, more adverse economic forecasts, slower prepayment speeds and increased default rates. These alternative analyses were utilized to inform the Company's qualitative adjustments. Additionally, First Financial considered its credit exposure to certain industries believed to be at risk for future credit stress, such as franchise, office, hotel and investor commercial real estate lending when making qualitative adjustments to the ACL model.

First Financial's ACL is influenced by loan volumes, risk rating migration or delinquency status, and other conditions impacting loss expectations, such as reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the ACL decreased due the stabilization of prepayment speeds and economic forecasts in third quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the ACL increased due to slower prepayment speeds, changes in economic forecasts, and loan growth.

Changes in the allowance by loan category were as follows:
 Three months ended September 30, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)Commercial & industrialLease financingConstruction real estateCommercial real estateResidential real estateHome EquityInstallmentCredit cardTotal
Allowance for credit losses:        
Balance at beginning of period$42,627 $8,069 $11,778 $44,451 $19,405 $15,067 $4,466 $2,783 $148,646 
Provision for credit losses(584)2,918 (821)7,088 1,969 1,138 1,303 (104)12,907 
Gross charge-offs(9,207)(76)0 (6,008)(10)(54)(1,349)(319)(17,023)
Recoveries335 1 0 39 44 125 87 40 671 
Total net charge-offs(8,872)(75)0 (5,969)34 71 (1,262)(279)(16,352)
Ending allowance for credit losses$33,171 $10,912 $10,957 $45,570 $21,408 $16,276 $4,507 $2,400 $145,201 
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 Three months ended September 30, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)Commercial & industrialLease financingConstruction real estateCommercial real estateResidential real estateHome EquityInstallmentCredit cardTotal
Allowance for credit losses:        
Balance at beginning of period$39,179 $2,212 $11,965 $39,856 $7,383 $10,980 $1,189 $5,121 $117,885 
Provision for credit losses3,710 238 2,081 (2,343)2,123 500 3,931 (2,342)7,898 
Loans charged off(1,947)(13)0 (3)(119)(45)(294)(237)(2,658)
Recoveries90 13 0 561 35 185 29 58 971 
Total net charge-offs(1,857)0 0 558 (84)140 (265)(179)(1,687)
Ending allowance for credit losses$41,032 $2,450 $14,046 $38,071 $9,422 $11,620 $4,855 $2,600 $124,096 
  
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
(Dollars in thousands)Commercial & industrialLease financingConstruction real estateCommercial real estateResidential real estateHome equityInstallmentCredit cardTotal
Allowance for credit losses:        
Beginning balance$42,313 $3,571 $13,527 $41,106 $12,684 $12,447 $4,945 $2,384 $132,977 
Provision for credit losses2,092 7,517 (2,570)10,756 8,531 3,558 3,719 667 34,270 
Loans charged off(12,309)(179)0 (8,722)(30)(166)(4,388)(810)(26,604)
Recoveries1,075 3 0 2,430 223 437 231 159 4,558 
Total net charge-offs(11,234)(176)0 (6,292)193 271 (4,157)(651)(22,046)
Ending allowance for credit losses$33,171 $10,912 $10,957 $45,570 $21,408 $16,276 $4,507 $2,400 $145,201 
 Nine months ended September 30, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)Commercial & industrialLease financingConstruction real estateCommercial real estateResidential real estateHome equityInstallmentCredit cardTotal
Allowance for credit losses:        
Beginning balance$44,052 $1,633 $11,874 $53,420 $6,225 $9,643 $1,097 $4,048 $131,992 
Provision for credit losses1,899 920 2,172 (14,904)3,183 1,255 4,493 (976)(1,958)
Loans charged off(5,565)(152)0 (3,422)(145)(88)(832)(695)(10,899)
Recoveries646 49 0 2,977 159 810 97 223 4,961 
Total net charge-offs(4,919)(103)0 (445)14 722 (735)(472)(5,938)
Ending allowance for credit losses$41,032 $2,450 $14,046 $38,071 $9,422 $11,620 $4,855 $2,600 $124,096 

Allowance for credit losses - unfunded commitments. First Financial estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life consistent with the Company's ACL methodology for loans and leases.

First Financial determined the adequacy of this reserve based upon an evaluation of the unfunded credit facilities, which included consideration of historical commitment utilization experience, credit risk ratings and historical loss rates, consistent with the Company's ACL methodology at the time.

The ACL on unfunded commitments was $17.0 million as of September 30, 2023 and $18.4 million as of December 31, 2022. Additionally, First Financial recorded a provision recapture related to the allowance on unfunded commitments of $1.2 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, First Financial recorded a provision for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $0.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

NOTE 6:  GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill. Assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination are recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price of the acquisition over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

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Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were as follows:
Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)2023202220232022
Balance at beginning of period$1,005,828 $999,959 $1,001,507 $1,000,749 
Goodwill resulting from business combinations40 (1,537)4,361 (2,327)
Balance at end of period$1,005,868 $998,422 $1,005,868 $998,422 

In the first quarter of 2023, First Financial recorded $4.2 million of goodwill related to the acquisition of the assets of Brady Ware Capital. Brady Ware Capital specializes in buy-side and sell-side consulting services for mid-sized businesses. This acquisition is consistent with First Financial's approach of adding niche financial services to core banking capabilities and further expands its broad service offerings. In May 2023, First Financial also acquired Brady Ware Corporate Finance, a broker-dealer and member of FINRA. First Financial recorded $0.1 million of goodwill in connection with the acquisition of Brady Ware Corporate Finance. The fair value measurements of Brady Ware assets and liabilities are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information relative to closing date fair values become available, and the measurement period ends in January 2024 for Brady Ware Capital. The measurement period for recording adjustments to the fair value of assets and liabilities ends in May 2024 for Brady Ware Corporate Finance.

In the first nine months of 2022, First Financial recorded adjustments of $2.3 million to goodwill resulting from the acquisition of Summit Funding Group, Inc. First Financial recorded its final adjustments to goodwill related to the Summit acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1 of each year, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. First Financial performed its most recent annual impairment test as of October 1, 2022 and no impairment was indicated. As of September 30, 2023, no events or changes in circumstances indicated that the fair value of the reporting unit was below its carrying value.

Other intangible assets. Other intangible assets consist primarily of core deposit, customer lists, mortgage servicing rights and other miscellaneous intangibles, such as purchase commissions, non-compete agreements and trade name intangibles.

Core deposit intangibles represent the estimated fair value of acquired customer deposit relationships on the date of acquisition and are amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives. First Financial's core deposit intangibles have an estimated weighted average remaining life of 4.5 years.

First Financial recorded a customer list intangible asset in conjunction with the Summit acquisition to account for the obligation or advantage on the part of either the Company or the customer to continue the pre-existing relationship subsequent to the merger. The customer list intangible asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of 12 years and was $25.7 million and $27.6 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Additionally, First Financial recorded a customer list intangible asset in conjunction with the Bannockburn acquisition which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of 11 years and was $24.8 million and $27.5 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.   

Mortgage servicing rights represent the value of servicing fees First Financial expects to receive from the servicing responsibilities it retained when selling fixed and adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans. In those sales, First Financial retained servicing responsibilities and provided certain standard representations and warranties; however, the investors have no recourse to the Company’s other assets for failure of debtors to pay when due. First Financial receives servicing fees based on a percentage of the outstanding balance. When First Financial sells mortgage loans with servicing rights retained, these servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value. First Financial has selected the “amortization method” as permissible within U.S. GAAP, whereby the servicing rights capitalized are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated future servicing income with respect to the underlying loan. At the end of each reporting period, the carrying value of MSRs is assessed for impairment with a comparison to fair value. MSRs are carried at the lower of their amortized cost or fair value. The amortization of MSRs is included within other noninterest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Amortization expense recognized on other intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 was $3.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively, which includes MSR amortization expense of $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Amortization expense recognized on other intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30,
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2023 and September 30, 2022 was $10.1 million and $11.0 million, which includes MSR amortization of $2.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of other intangible assets at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Gross
carrying
amount		Accumulated
amortization		Gross
carrying
amount		Accumulated
amortization
Core deposit intangibles$41,750 $(28,668)$41,750 $(26,488)
Customer list69,563 (19,029)69,563 (14,457)
Other10,960 (5,073)14,079 (7,064)
Mortgage servicing rights23,067 (6,192)21,347 (4,811)
Total$145,340 $(58,962)$146,739 $(52,820)

NOTE 7:  LEASES - LESSEE

A lease is defined as a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. For contracts where First Financial is a lessee, the recipient of the right to control, substantially all of those agreements are for real estate property for branches, ATM locations and office space.

Substantially all of the company's lessee contracts are classified as operating leases. Under Topic 842, operating lease agreements are required to be recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an ROU asset and a corresponding lease liability. The Company's right to use an asset over the life of a lease is recorded as a ROU asset in Accrued interest and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and was $55.5 million and $54.3 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Certain adjustments to the ROU asset may be required for items such as initial direct costs paid or incentives received. First Financial recorded a $65.7 million and $64.5 million lease liability in Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

The calculated amount of the ROU assets and lease liabilities are impacted by the length of the lease term and the discount rate used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. Regarding the discount rate, Topic 842 requires the use of the rate implicit in the lease whenever this rate is readily determinable. As this rate is rarely determinable, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate at lease inception, on a collateralized basis, over a similar term.

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and First Financial recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Most leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to 20 years or more. The exercise of renewal options on operating leases is at the Company's sole discretion, and certain leases may include options to purchase the leased property. If at lease inception, the Company considers the exercising of a renewal option to be reasonably certain, the Company will include the extended term in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability. First Financial does not enter into lease agreements which contain material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Certain leases provide for increases in future minimum annual rental payments as defined in the lease agreements and leases generally also include real estate taxes and common area maintenance charges in the annual rental payments.

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The components of lease expense were as follows:
Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)2023202220232022
Operating lease cost$1,945 $1,907 $5,736 $5,709 
Short-term lease cost0 1 0 8 
Variable lease cost787 684 2,301 2,143 
Total operating lease cost$2,732 $2,592 $8,037 $7,860 

Future minimum commitments due under these lease agreements as of September 30, 2023 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)Operating leases
2023 (remaining three months)$1,937 
20247,968 
20257,705 
20267,501 
20277,087 
Thereafter50,737 
Total lease payments82,935 
Less imputed interest(17,249)
Total$65,686 

The weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's operating leases were as follows:
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Operating leases
Weighted-average remaining lease term12.5 years13.1 years
Weighted-average discount rate3.42 %3.29 %

Supplemental cash information at September 30, 2023 and 2022 related to leases was as follows:
Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)2023202220232022
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$1,933 $1,963 $5,857 $5,865 
ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations
Operating leases5,868 2,698 6,160 4,808 

NOTE 8: OPERATING LEASES - LESSOR

First Financial provides financing for various types of equipment through a variety of leasing arrangements. Operating leases are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating leases were $136.9 million and $91.7 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation of $54.5 million and $35.0 million, respectively. The Company recorded lease income of $10.9 million and $7.0 million related to lease payments for operating leases in leasing business revenue in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company recorded lease income of $28.9 million and $17.3 million related to lease payments for operating leases in leasing business revenue in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Depreciation expense related to operating lease equipment was $8.9 million and $5.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Depreciation expense related to
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operating lease equipment was $23.5 million and $14.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

First Financial performs assessments of the recoverability of long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. First Financial recognized no impairment losses associated with operating lease assets for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2023 or 2022. Recognized impairment losses, if any, would be recorded in Leasing business income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The future lease payments receivable from operating leases as of September 30, 2023 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)Undiscounted cash flows
2023 (remaining three months)$10,630 
202438,568 
202529,186 
202619,451 
20279,276 
Thereafter5,415 
Total operating lease payments$112,526 

NOTE 9:  BORROWINGS

Short-term borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets include repurchase agreements utilized for corporate sweep accounts with cash management account agreements in place, federal funds purchased, overnight advances from the FHLB and a short-term line of credit.

All repurchase agreements are subject to terms and conditions agreed to by the Bank and the client. To secure its liability to the client, the Bank is authorized to sell or repurchase U.S. Treasury, government agency and mortgage-backed securities. As of both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Bank had no securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

First Financial had no federal funds purchased at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022, while the Company had $0.8 billion and $1.1 billion in short-term borrowings with the FHLB at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. These short-term borrowings are used to manage normal liquidity needs and support the Company's asset and liability management strategies. Additionally, at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, other short-term borrowings included $219.2 million and $157.2 million, respectively, of collateral owed by counterparty banks to First Financial.

First Financial also has a $40.0 million short-term credit facility with an unaffiliated bank that matures in December, 2023, which is considered a short-term borrowing. This facility has a variable interest rate and provides First Financial additional liquidity, if needed, for various corporate activities including the repurchase of First Financial common stock and the payment of dividends to shareholders. As of both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, First Financial had no outstanding balance. The credit agreement requires First Financial to comply with certain covenants including those related to asset quality and capital levels, and First Financial was in compliance with all covenants associated with this facility as of both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. This credit facility also required First Financial to pledge as collateral the Bank's common stock where the lender is granted a security interest in this collateral.

The following is a summary of First Financial's short-term borrowings:

(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
FHLB short-term borrowings$755,000 $1,130,000 
Other short-term borrowings219,188 157,156 
Total short-term borrowings$974,188 $1,287,156 

First Financial had $340.9 million and $346.7 million of long-term debt as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively, which included subordinated notes, capital lease liabilities and an interest free loan with a municipality.

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The following is a summary of First Financial's long-term debt:
 September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)AmountAverage rateAmountAverage rate
Subordinated notes$314,048 5.61 %$313,705 5.48 %
Unamortized debt issuance costs(1,709)N/A(1,998)N/A
Notes issued in conjunction with acquisition of property and equipment26,155 4.08 %32,492 4.44 %
Capital lease liability1,633 3.83 %1,698 3.82 %
Capital loan with municipality775 0.00 %775 0.00 %
Total long-term debt$340,902 5.50 %$346,672 5.40 %

In 2015, First Financial issued $120.0 million of subordinated notes, which have a fixed interest rate of 5.13% payable semiannually and mature in August 2025. These notes are not redeemable by the Company, or callable by the holders of the notes prior to maturity. Subordinated notes are treated as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes and are included in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Therefore, the subordinated debt issued in August 2015 that matures in August, 2025, is eligible to be treated as Tier 2 capital for 20% of its original issuance amount at September 30, 2023.

In April 2020, First Financial issued $150.0 million of fixed to floating rate subordinated notes. These subordinated notes have an initial fixed interest rate of 5.25% to, but excluding, May 15, 2025, payable semi-annually in arrears. From, and including, May 15, 2025, the interest rate on the subordinated notes will reset quarterly to a floating rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the then-current three-month term SOFR, plus 509 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. The subordinated notes mature on May 15, 2030. These notes are redeemable by the Company in whole or in part beginning with the interest payment date of May 15, 2025. Subordinated notes are included in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and treated as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes, subject certain limitations. When subordinated notes are within five years of maturity, the tier 2 capital eligibility reduces by 20% each year. Therefore, the subordinated debt issued in April 2020 that matures in May, 2030, is eligible to be treated as Tier 2 capital for 100% of its original issuance amount at September 30, 2023.

In addition, First Financial acquired $49.5 million of variable rate subordinated notes in the MSFG merger that were issued to previously formed trusts in exchange for the trust proceeds. These notes were recorded at fair value at the date of the MSFG merger and the Consolidated Balance Sheets include $44.0 million and $43.7 million for these notes at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Interest on the acquired subordinated notes is payable quarterly, in arrears, and the Company has the option to defer interest payments for a period not to exceed 20 consecutive quarters. These acquired subordinated notes mature 30 years after the date of original issuance and may be called at par following the 5 year anniversary of issuance. These variable rate subordinated notes are treated as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes.

Additionally, long-term borrowings included $26.2 million and $32.5 million of term notes, both with and without recourse, with an average interest rate of 4.08% and 4.44% at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. These term notes were used to finance equity investments in the purchase of equipment to be leased to customers.

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NOTE 10:  ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Shareholders’ equity is affected by transactions and valuations of asset and liability positions that require adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  The following table summarizes the changes within each classification of AOCI:
 Three months ended September 30, 2023
 Total other comprehensive income (loss)Total accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
(Dollars in thousands)Prior to
reclass		Reclass
from		Pre-taxTax effectNet of taxBeginning balanceNet activityEnding balance
Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities$(71,051)$(4)$(71,047)$15,650 $(55,397)$(320,336)$(55,397)$(375,733)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives(2,014)(71)(1,943)450 (1,493)(331)(1,493)(1,824)
Retirement obligation0 (213)213 (49)164 (31,776)164 (31,612)
Foreign currency translation(269)0 (269)0 (269)(567)(269)(836)
Total$(73,334)$(288)$(73,046)$16,051 $(56,995)$(353,010)$(56,995)$(410,005)
 Three months ended September 30, 2022
 Total other comprehensive income (loss)Total accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
(Dollars in thousands)Prior to
reclass		Reclass
from		Pre-taxTax effectNet of taxBeginning balanceNet activityEnding balance
Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities$(142,733)$179 $(142,912)$31,479 $(111,433)$(222,441)$(111,433)$(333,874)
Retirement obligation0 (340)340 (79)261 (20,246)261 (19,985)
Foreign currency translation(70)0 (70)0(70)(641)(70)(711)
Total$(142,803)$(161)$(142,642)$31,400 $(111,242)$(243,328)$(111,242)$(354,570)

 Nine months ended September 30, 2023
 Total other comprehensive income (loss)Total accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
(Dollars in thousands)Prior to
reclass		Reclass
from		Pre-taxTax effectNet of taxBeginning balanceNet activityEnding balance
Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities$(64,285)$(407)$(63,878)$14,070 $(49,808)$(325,925)$(49,808)$(375,733)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives(2,445)(72)(2,373)549 (1,824)0 (1,824)(1,824)
Retirement obligation0 (534)534 (123)411 (32,023)411 (31,612)
Foreign currency translation(121)0 (121)0 (121)(715)(121)(836)
Total$(66,851)$(1,013)$(65,838)$14,496 $(51,342)$(358,663)$(51,342)$(410,005)

 Nine months ended September 30, 2022
 Total other comprehensive income (loss)Total accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
(Dollars in thousands)Prior to
reclass		Reclass
from		Pre-taxTax effectNet of taxBeginning balanceNet activityEnding balance
Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities$(454,844)$176 $(455,020)$100,108 $(354,912)$21,038 $(354,912)$(333,874)
Retirement obligation0 (995)995 (134)861 (20,846)861 (19,985)
Foreign currency translation(86)0 (86)0 (86)(625)(86)(711)
Total$(454,930)$(819)$(454,111)$99,974 $(354,137)$(433)$(354,137)$(354,570)

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The following table presents the activity reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively:
Amount reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)2023202220232022Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Income
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts$(71)$0 $(72)$0 Interest income - Loans and leases, including fees
Realized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale$(4)$179 $(407)$176 Net gain (loss) on sales of investments securities
Defined benefit pension plan
Amortization of prior service cost (1)
(5)76 (6)226 Other noninterest expense
Recognized net actuarial loss (1)
(208)(416)(528)(1,221)Other noninterest expense
Defined benefit pension plan total(213)(340)(534)(995)
Total reclassifications for the period, before tax$(288)$(161)$(1,013)$(819)
(1) Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plans for additional details).


NOTE 11:  DERIVATIVES

First Financial maintains an overall risk management strategy that incorporates the use of derivative instruments to reduce certain risks related to interest rate, prepayment and foreign currency volatility. Additionally, First Financial holds derivative instruments for the benefit of its commercial customers and for other business purposes. The Company does not enter into unhedged speculative derivative positions. The Company’s interest rate risk management strategy involves modifying the repricing characteristics of certain financial instruments so that changes in interest rates do not adversely affect First Financial’s net interest margin and cash flows. Derivative instruments that the Company may use as part of its interest rate risk management strategy include interest rate caps, floors, swaps, and foreign exchange contracts, to meet the needs of its clients while managing the interest and currency rate risk associated with certain transactions. First Financial may also utilize interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate risk profile of the Company. These derivatives are reported within Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Interest rate payments are exchanged with counterparties based on the notional amount established in the interest rate agreement. As only interest rate payments are exchanged, the cash requirements and credit risk associated with interest rate swaps are significantly less than the notional amount and the Company’s credit risk exposure is limited to the market value of the instruments. First Financial does not use derivatives for speculative purposes.

First Financial manages market value credit risk through counterparty credit policies including a review of total derivative notional position to total assets, total credit exposure to total capital and counterparty credit exposure risk.

Interest rate client derivatives. First Financial utilizes interest rate swaps as a means to offer commercial borrowers fixed rate funding while providing the Company with floating rate assets. These derivatives are classified as free-standing instruments with the revaluation gain or loss recorded in Client derivative fees in the Consolidated Statements of Income. While these derivatives represent economic hedges, they do not qualify as hedges for accounting purposes.

At September 30, 2023, for the interest rate client derivatives, the Company had a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of $2.2 billion, spread among six counterparties, with an estimated fair value of $167.7 million. At December 31, 2022, the Company had interest rate client derivatives with a total counterparty notional amount outstanding of $2.2 billion, spread among six counterparties, with an estimated fair value of $145.8 million.

First Financial monitors its derivative credit exposure to borrowers by monitoring the creditworthiness of the related loan customers through the Company's normal credit review processes. Additionally, the Company monitors derivative credit risk exposure related to problem loans through its ACL Committee. First Financial considers the market value of a derivative
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instrument to be part of the carrying value of the related loan for these purposes as the borrower is contractually obligated to pay First Financial this amount in the event the derivative contract is terminated.

In connection with its use of derivative instruments, First Financial and its counterparties may be required to post cash collateral to offset the market position of the derivative instruments. First Financial maintains the right to offset these derivative positions with the collateral posted against them by or with the relevant counterparties.

Foreign exchange contracts. First Financial may enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts for the benefit of commercial customers to hedge their exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. Similar to the hedging of interest rate risk from interest rate client derivative contracts, First Financial also enters into foreign exchange contracts with major financial institutions to economically hedge a substantial portion of the exposure from client driven foreign exchange activity. These derivatives are classified as free-standing instruments with the revaluation gain or loss recorded in Foreign exchange income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company has risk limits and internal controls in place to help ensure excessive risk is not being taken when providing this service to customers. These controls include a determination of currency volatility and credit equivalent exposure on these contracts. At September 30, 2023, the Company had total counterparty notional amount outstanding of $7.5 billion spread among five counterparties, with an estimated fair value of $47.1 million. At December 31, 2022, the Company had total counterparty notional amounts outstanding of $7.7 billion spread among five counterparties, with an estimated fair value of $17.3 million.

In connection with its use of foreign exchange contracts, First Financial and its counterparties may be required to post cash collateral to offset the market position of the derivative instruments. First Financial maintains the right to offset these derivative positions with the collateral posted against them by or with the relevant counterparties.

Cash Flow Hedges. In 2023, First Financial entered into interest rate collars and floors, which are designated as cash flow hedges. These cash flow hedges are utilized to mitigate interest rate risk on variable-rate commercial loan pools. As of September 30, 2023, the hedges were determined to be effective during the period and are expected to remain effective during the remaining terms. Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness are recorded in AOCI and reclassified from AOCI to current period earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. Reclassified gains and losses on interest rate contracts related to commercial and industrial loans are recorded within interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The structure of the interest rate collars is such that First Financial pays the counterparty an incremental amount if the collar index exceeds the cap rate. Conversely, First Financial receives an incremental amount if the index falls below the floor rate. No payments are required if the collar index falls between the cap and floor rates.

The structure of First Financial's interest rate floors is such that First Financial receives an incremental amount if the index falls below the floor strike rate. No payments are required if the index remains above the floor strike rate.

The notional value of the Company's cash flow hedges was $600.0 million as of September 30, 2023, with the $1.8 million change in the fair value recorded in AOCI in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, there were no cash flow hedges outstanding at December 31, 2022. As of September 30, 2023, the maximum length of time over which the Company is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows is 60 months. It is estimated that $0.3 million will be reclassified from OCI to interest income during the next 12 months.


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The effect of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships on the consolidated statements of income were as follows:
Three months ended
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging RelationshipLocation of Gain or (Loss)Reclassified from AOCI into incomeGain (loss) recognized in OCI on DerivativesGain (loss) reclassified in AOCI on Derivatives
Interest rate contractsInterest income/(expense)$(1,493)$(71)
Nine months ended
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging RelationshipLocation of Gain or (Loss)Reclassified from AOCI into incomeGain (loss) recognized in OCI on DerivativesGain (loss) reclassified in AOCI on Derivatives
Interest rate contractsInterest income/(expense)$(1,824)$(72)

The following table details the classification and amounts of interest rate derivatives, foreign exchange contracts and cash flow hedges recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
  
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
 Estimated fair valueEstimated fair value
(Dollars in thousands)Notional
amount
Gain (1)
Loss (2)
Notional
amount
Gain (1)
Loss (2)
Derivatives not designated as qualifying hedging instruments
Interest rate derivatives - instruments associated with loans      
Matched interest rate contracts with borrowers$2,218,153 $5,297 $(168,339)$2,206,351 $5,057 $(147,759)
Matched interest rate contracts with counterparty2,218,153 168,165 (5,297)2,206,351 147,759 (5,057)
Foreign exchange contracts
Matched foreign exchange contracts with customers7,521,938 121,048 (73,908)7,734,395 111,078 (93,804)
Match foreign exchange contracts with counterparty7,469,467 73,908 (121,048)7,681,006 93,804 (111,078)
Total derivatives not designated as qualifying hedging instruments19,427,711 368,418 (368,592)19,828,103 357,698 (357,698)
Derivatives designated as qualifying hedging instruments
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate collars and floors on loan pools600,000 558 (1,984)0 0 0 
Total derivatives designated as qualifying hedging instruments600,000 558 (1,984)0 0 0 
Total$20,027,711 $368,976 $(370,576)$19,828,103 $357,698 $(357,698)
(1) Derivative assets are included in Accrued interest and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2) Derivative liabilities are included in Accrued interest and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table discloses the gross and net amounts of interest rate derivatives, foreign exchange contracts and cash flow hedges recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)Gross amounts of recognized liabilitiesGross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance SheetsNet amounts of (assets)/liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance SheetsGross amounts of recognized liabilitiesGross amounts offset in the Consolidated Balance SheetsNet amounts of (assets)/liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Interest rate contracts (1)
$173,462 $(432,368)$(258,906)$152,816 $(314,048)$(161,232)
Foreign exchange contracts194,956 (76,033)118,923 204,882 (101,945)102,937 
Cash flow hedges2,542 (1,595)947 0 0 0 
Total$370,960 $(509,996)$(139,036)$357,698 $(415,993)$(58,295)
(1) Includes accrued interest receivable and collateral.

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The following table details the derivative financial instruments and the average remaining maturities at September 30, 2023:
(Dollars in thousands)Notional
amount		Average
maturity
(years)		Fair
value
Interest rate contracts   
Receive fixed, matched interest rate contracts with borrower$2,218,153 4.9$(163,042)
Pay fixed, matched interest rate contracts with counterparty2,218,153 4.9162,868 
Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign exchange contracts-pay USD7,521,938 0.647,140 
Foreign exchange contracts-receive USD7,469,467 0.6(47,140)
Total client derivatives19,427,711 1.6(174)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate collars and floors on loan pools600,000 3.8(1,426)
Total cash flow hedges600,000 3.8(1,426)
Total$20,027,711 1.6$(1,600)

At September 30, 2023, the derivative collateral owed by the Company to counterparty banks was $195.1 million with $24.1 million restricted within cash and due from banks on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and $219.2 million recorded in short-term borrowings. Derivative collateral owed by the Company to the counterparty banks at December 31, 2022 was $132.2 million with $25.0 million restricted within cash and due from banks and $157.2 million recorded in short-term borrowings.

Credit derivatives. In conjunction with participating interests in commercial loans, First Financial periodically enters into risk participation agreements with counterparties whereby First Financial either assumes or sells a portion of the credit exposure associated with an interest rate swap on the participated loan in exchange for a fee. Under these agreements, First Financial will either make a payment to or receive a payment from the counterparty if the loan customer defaults on its obligation to perform under the interest rate swap contract. The total notional value of the purchased risk agreements totaled $200.7 million as of September 30, 2023 and $246.8 million as of December 31, 2022. The total notional value of the sold risk agreements totaled $117.4 million as of September 30, 2023 and $132.5 million as of December 31, 2022. The net fair value of these agreements is recorded in Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and was insignificant at September 30, 2023 and at December 31, 2022.

Mortgage derivatives. First Financial enters into IRLCs and forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans to third party investors, which are considered derivatives. When borrowers secure IRLCs with First Financial and the loans are intended to be sold, First Financial will enter into forward commitments for the future delivery of the loans to third party investors in order to hedge against the effect of changes in interest rates impacting IRLCs and loans held for sale. At September 30, 2023, the notional amount of the IRLCs was $32.3 million and the notional amount of forward commitments was $31.3 million. As of December 31, 2022, the notional amount of IRLCs was $12.0 million and the notional amount of forward commitments was $15.3 million. The fair value on these agreements was $1.2 million and $4.3 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and was recorded in Accrued interest and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net gain on the sale of loans for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 was $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Net gain on sale of loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 was $1.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

NOTE 12:  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

First Financial offers a variety of financial instruments including loan commitments and letters of credit to assist clients in meeting their requirement for liquidity and credit enhancement. GAAP does not require these financial instruments to be recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

First Financial utilizes the same credit policies in issuing commitments and conditional obligations as it does for credit instruments recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. First Financial’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparty was represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. First Financial adopted ASC 326 and therefore estimates expected credit losses over the contractual period in which the Company is exposed to credit risk via a contractual obligation to extend credit, unless that obligation is unconditionally cancellable by the Company. The
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estimate includes consideration of the likelihood that funding will occur and an estimate of expected credit losses on commitments expected to be funded over its estimated life consistent with the Company's ACL methodology for loans and leases. Adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are recorded in Provision for credit losses - unfunded commitments in the Consolidated Statements of Income. First Financial had $17.0 million and $18.4 million of reserves for unfunded commitments recorded in Accrued interest and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

First Financial had commitments to extend credit, including overdraft lending lines, of $4.5 billion at September 30, 2023 and $4.4 billion at December 31, 2022. As of September 30, 2023, commitments with a fixed interest rate totaled $111.5 million while commitments with variable interest rates totaled $4.4 billion. At December 31, 2022, commitments with a fixed interest rate totaled $126.3 million while commitments with variable interest rates totaled $4.2 billion. First Financial's fixed rate commitments have interest rates ranging from 0.00% to 21.00% at both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and have maturities ranging from less than one year to 31.1 years at September 30, 2023 and maturities ranging from less than one year to 31.6 years at December 31, 2022.

Loan commitments. Loan commitments are agreements to extend credit to a client, absent any violation of conditions established in the commitment agreement.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since many of the commitments will expire without being fully drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by First Financial upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the client.  The collateral held varies, but may include securities, real estate, inventory, plant or equipment.

The following table presents by type First Financial's active loan balances and related obligations to extend credit:
September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
(dollars in thousands)Unfunded commitmentLoan balanceUnfunded commitmentLoan balance
Commercial & industrial$1,945,253 $3,420,873 $1,833,977 $3,410,272 
Lease financing0399,9736,842236,124
Construction real estate605,920578,824689,015512,050
Commercial real estate-investor116,3433,059,422107,2053,094,064
Commercial real estate-owner28,840933,23248,208958,695
Residential real estate104,9461,293,47074,0891,092,265
Home equity954,536743,991903,459733,791
Installment25,657160,64816,073209,895
Credit card232,25256,386225,86451,815
Total$4,013,747 $10,646,819 $3,904,732 $10,298,971 

Letters of credit. Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by First Financial to guarantee the performance of a client to a third party.  First Financial’s letters of credit consist of performance assurances made on behalf of clients who have a contractual commitment to produce or deliver goods or services.  The risk to First Financial arises from its obligation to make payment in the event of the client's contractual default to produce the contracted good or service to a third party.  First Financial issued letters of credit aggregating $32.4 million and $31.5 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Management conducts regular reviews of these instruments on an individual client basis.

Risk participation agreements. First Financial is a party in risk participation transactions of interest rate swaps, which had total notional amount of $318.1 million and $379.3 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Affordable housing projects and other tax credit investments. First Financial is a limited partner in several tax-advantaged limited partnerships whose purpose is to invest in approved qualified affordable housing, renewable energy, or other renovation or community revitalization projects. These investments are included in Accrued interest and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with any unfunded commitments included in Accrued interest and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2023, First Financial expects to recover its remaining investments through the use of the tax credits that are generated by the investments.

The following table summarizes First Financial's investments in affordable housing projects and other tax credit investments.

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(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
InvestmentAccounting MethodInvestmentUnfunded commitmentInvestmentUnfunded commitment
LIHTCProportional amortization$135,187 $74,149 $126,537 $70,690 
HTCEquity19,798 14,784 17,108 11,955 
NMTCEquity2,192 0 2,944 0 
Renewable energyEquity24,085 12,982 11,851 1,689 
Total$181,262 $101,915 $158,440 $84,334 

The following table summarizes First Financial's amortization expense and tax benefit recognized in affordable housing projects and other tax credit investments.
Three months ended
September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
LIHTC$3,455 $(3,434)$3,211 $(2,757)
HTC0 (80)0 (80)
NMTC104 (53)104 (53)
Renewable energy0 0 17,108 (18,881)
Total$3,559 $(3,567)$20,423 $(21,771)
Nine months ended
September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
Amortization expense (1)
Tax expense (benefit) recognized (2)
LIHTC$10,520 $(10,411)$9,311 $(8,551)
HTC0 (239)0 (239)
NMTC311 (158)311 (158)
Renewable energy0 0 17,108 (18,881)
Total$10,831 $(10,808)$26,730 $(27,829)
(1) The amortization expense for the LIHTC investments is included in income tax expense. The amortization expense for the HTC, NMTC, and Renewable energy tax credits is included in other noninterest expense.
(2) All of the tax benefits recognized are included in Income tax expense. The tax benefit recognized for the HTC, NMTC, and Renewable energy investments primarily reflects the tax credits generated from the investments and excludes the net tax expense (benefit) and deferred tax liability of the investments’ income (loss).
Contingencies/Litigation. First Financial and its subsidiaries are engaged in various matters of litigation and have a number of unresolved claims pending.

Like many banks, First Financial has been the subject of lawsuits relating to overdraft fees. This type of litigation is time consuming and expensive in large part due to the amount of data to be sorted and disclosed, in some cases going back multiple years. No legal settlement expenses were accrued or paid in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2023 or in the three months ended September 30, 2022. However, during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, legal settlement expenses of $3.3 million were paid.

Additionally, as part of the ordinary course of business, First Financial and its subsidiaries are parties to other litigation, including claims to the ownership of funds in particular accounts, the collection of delinquent accounts, challenges to security interests in collateral, foreclosure interests that are incidental to our regular business activities and other matters. While the ultimate liability with respect to these litigation matters and claims cannot be determined at this time, First Financial believes that damages, if any, and other amounts relating to pending matters are not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated as of
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September 30, 2023. Reserves are established for these various matters of litigation when appropriate under FASB ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, based in part upon the advice of legal counsel. First Financial had no reserves related to litigation matters as of September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

NOTE 13:  INCOME TAXES

For the third quarter of 2023, the Company recorded income tax expense of $15.3 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 19.5% compared to income tax benefit of $8.6 million and an effective tax rate of negative 18.3% for the comparable period in 2022. For the first nine months of 2023, income tax expense was $48.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 19.4% compared with $13.7 million and an effective tax rate of 8.5% for the comparable period in 2022. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily driven by tax credits realized in the 2022 as well as increased taxable income and the resolution of unrecognized tax benefits.

At September 30, 2023, First Financial had no unrecognized tax benefits compared to $1.9 million at December 31, 2022. As defined by FASB ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes, an unrecognized tax benefit is a position that if recognized would favorably impact the effective income tax rate in future periods. The unrecognized tax benefits in 2022 were related to state income tax exposures where the Company believed it was likely that, upon examination, a state may have taken a position contrary to the position taken by First Financial. A resolution regarding the Company's uncertain tax position resulted in partial recognition of the benefit in the second quarter of 2023. First Financial recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no interest or penalties recorded.

First Financial and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as state and local income tax in several jurisdictions.  Tax years prior to 2019 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. Tax years 2019 through 2022 remain open to examination by the federal taxing authority. First Financial is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for years prior to 2018.

NOTE 14:  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

First Financial sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan which covers substantially all employees and uses a December 31 measurement date. Plan assets are primarily invested in fixed income and publicly traded equity mutual funds. The pension plan does not directly own any shares of First Financial common stock or any other First Financial security or product.

First Financial made no cash contributions to fund the pension plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 or the year ended December 31, 2022, and does not expect to make cash contributions to the plan through the remainder of 2023.

As a result of the plan’s actuarial projections, First Financial recorded expense as set forth in the following table. The amounts are recognized in First Financial’s Consolidated Statements of Income related to the Company's pension plan.
Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)2023202220232022
Service cost$2,304 $2,153 $6,988 $6,912 
Interest cost1,066 661 3,213 1,923 
Expected return on assets(2,701)(2,743)(8,101)(8,240)
Amortization of prior service cost5 (76)6(226)
Net actuarial loss208 416 528 1,221 
     Net periodic benefit cost (income)$882 $411 $2,634 $1,590 

NOTE 15:  REVENUE RECOGNITION

The majority of the Company’s revenues come from sources that are outside of the scope of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Income sources that are outside of this standard include income earned on loans, leases, securities, derivatives and foreign exchange. The Company's services that fall within the scope of ASU 2014-09 are presented within Noninterest income and are recognized as revenue when the Company satisfies its obligation to the customer. Services within
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the scope of this guidance include service charges on deposits, trust and wealth management fees, bankcard income, gain/loss on the sale of OREO and investment brokerage fees.

Service charges on deposit accounts. The Company earns revenues from its deposit customers for transaction-based fees, account maintenance fees and overdraft fees. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM use fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer's request. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Similarly, overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs as this corresponds with the Company's performance obligation. Service charges on deposit accounts are withdrawn from the customer's deposit account.

Wealth management fees. Wealth management fees are primarily asset-based, but can also include flat fees based upon a specific service rendered, such as tax preparation services. The Company’s performance obligation is generally satisfied over time and the resulting fees are recognized monthly, based upon the month-end market value of the assets under management and the applicable fees. The Company does not earn performance-based incentives. Optional services such as real estate sales and tax return preparation services are also available to existing wealth management customers. The Company’s performance obligation for these transactional-based services is generally satisfied, and related revenue recognized, as incurred.

Wealth management fees also includes brokerage revenue. Brokerage revenue represents fees from investment brokerage services provided to customers by a third party provider. The Company receives commissions from the third-party service provider on a monthly basis based upon customer activity for the month. The fees are recognized monthly and a receivable is recorded until commissions are paid the following month. Because the Company (i) acts as an agent in arranging the relationship between the customer and the third-party service provider and (ii) does not control the services rendered to the customers, investment brokerage fees are presented net of related costs.

Bankcard income. The Company earns interchange fees from cardholder transactions conducted through the Visa payment network. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized concurrent with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder. Interchange income is presented on the Consolidated Statements of Income net of expenses. Gross interchange income for the third quarter of 2023 was $7.5 million, partially offset by $4.1 million of expenses within Noninterest income. Gross interchange income for the same period in 2022 was $7.5 million, partially offset by $4.0 million of expenses within Noninterest income. Gross interchange income for the first nine months of 2023 was $22.3 million, partially offset by $11.6 million of expenses within Noninterest income. Gross interchange income for the same period in 2022 was $22.1 million, partially offset by $11.4 million of expenses within Noninterest income.

Other. Other noninterest income includes recurring revenue streams such as transaction fees, safe deposit rental income, insurance commissions, merchant referral income and gain (loss) on sale of OREO. Transaction fees primarily include check printing sales commissions, collection fees and wire transfer fees which arise from in-branch transactions. Safe deposit rental income arises from fees charged to the customer on an annual basis and recognized upon receipt of payment. Insurance commissions are agent commissions earned by the Company and earned upon the effective date of the bound coverage. Merchant referral income is associated with a program whereby the Company receives a share of processing revenue that is generated from clients that were referred by First Financial to the service provider. Revenue is recognized at the time the transaction occurs.

The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of OREO when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of the executed deed. When the Company finances the sale of OREO to the buyer, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether collectibility of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the OREO asset is removed and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer.
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NOTE 16:  EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)2023202220232022
Numerator  
Net income available to common shareholders$63,061 $55,705 $199,131 $148,526 
Denominator
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share94,030,275 93,582,250 93,896,716 93,507,831 
Effect of dilutive securities
Employee stock awards1,095,994 1,211,516 1,189,155 996,622 
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per common share95,126,269 94,793,766 95,085,871 94,504,453 
Earnings per share available to common shareholders  
Basic$0.67 $0.60 $2.12 $1.59 
Diluted$0.66 $0.59 $2.09 $1.57 

Stock options and warrants with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common shares were not included in the computation of net income per diluted share, as they would have been antidilutive.  Using the end of period price of the Company's common shares, there were no antidilutive options at September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.  

NOTE 17:  FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

The fair value framework as disclosed in the Fair Value Topic includes a hierarchy which focuses on prioritizing the inputs used in valuation techniques.  The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), a lower priority to observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 2) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities, First Financial looks to active markets to price identical assets or liabilities whenever possible and classifies such items in Level 1.  When identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, First Financial looks to observable market data for similar assets and liabilities and classifies such items as Level 2.  Certain assets and liabilities are not actively traded in observable markets and First Financial must use alternative techniques, based on unobservable inputs, to determine the fair value and classifies such items as Level 3. The level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant in the fair value measurement.

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The estimated fair values of First Financial’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows:
CarryingEstimated fair value
(Dollars in thousands)valueTotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
September 30, 2023
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments$673,202 $673,202 $673,202 $0 $0 
Investment securities held-to-maturity81,326 69,845 0 69,845 0 
Other investments133,725 133,725 992 123,413 9,320 
Loans and leases10,501,618 10,135,741 0 0 10,135,741 
Accrued interest receivable70,471 70,471 0 16,436 54,035 
Financial liabilities
Deposits12,915,553 12,889,572 0 12,889,572 0 
Short-term borrowings974,188 974,188 974,188 0 0 
Long-term debt340,902 343,815 0 343,815 0 
Accrued interest payable51,013 51,013 16,613 34,400 0 
CarryingEstimated fair value
(Dollars in thousands)valueTotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
December 31, 2022
Financial assets
Cash and short-term investments$595,683 $595,683 $595,683 $0 $0 
Investment securities held-to-maturity84,021 76,485 0 76,485 0 
Other investments143,160 143,160 1,171 132,853 9,136 
Loans and leases10,165,994 9,916,353 0 0 9,916,353 
Accrued interest receivable63,721 63,721 0 16,233 47,488 
Financial liabilities
Deposits12,701,177 12,670,747 0 12,670,747 0 
Short-term borrowings1,287,156 1,287,156 1,287,156 0 0 
Long-term debt346,672 348,041 0 348,041 0 
Accrued interest payable11,150 11,150 3,835 7,315 0 

The following methods, assumptions and valuation techniques were used by First Financial to measure different financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.

Investment securities. Investment securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, when available (Level 1).  If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar investment securities.  First Financial compiles prices from various sources who may apply such techniques as matrix pricing to determine the value of identical or similar investment securities (Level 2).  Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique widely used in the banking industry to value investment securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific investment securities but rather relying on the investment securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted investment securities.  Any investment securities not valued based upon the methods previously described are considered Level 3.

First Financial utilizes values provided by third-party pricing vendors to price the investment securities portfolio in accordance with the fair value hierarchy of the Fair Value Topic and reviews the pricing methodologies utilized by the pricing vendors to ensure that the fair value determination is consistent with the applicable accounting guidance.  First Financial’s pricing process includes a series of quality assurance activities where prices are compared to recent market conditions, historical prices and other independent pricing services.  Further, the Company periodically validates the fair value of a sample of securities in the
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portfolio by comparing the fair values to prices from other independent sources for the same or similar securities.  First Financial analyzes unusual or significant variances, conducts additional research with the pricing vendor, and if necessary, takes appropriate action based on its findings.  The results of the quality assurance process are incorporated into the selection of pricing providers by the portfolio manager.

Loans held for sale. The fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale is determined on a recurring basis based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets, and therefore, is classified as Level 2 the fair value hierarchy.

Derivatives. The fair values of derivative instruments are based primarily on a net present value calculation of the cash flows related to the interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts at the reporting date, using primarily observable market inputs such as interest rate yield curves which represents the cost to terminate the swap if First Financial should choose to do so. Additionally, First Financial utilizes an internally-developed model to value the credit risk component of derivative assets and liabilities, which is recorded as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivative asset or liability on the reporting date. Derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Collateral dependent loans. Collateral dependent loans are defined as loans for which the repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral when the borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Collateral dependent loans are carried at fair value when the value of the operation or collateral less any costs to sell is not sufficient to cover the remaining balance. In these instances, the loans will either be partially charged-off or receive specific allocations of the allowance for credit losses. For collateral dependent loans, fair value is generally based on real estate appraisals, a calculation of enterprise value or a valuation of business assets including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable. These loans had a principal amount of $26.9 million and $11.9 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, with a valuation allowance of $7.5 million and $3.7 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

The value of real estate collateral is determined utilizing an income or market valuation approach based on an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed third-party appraiser (Level 3). These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including the comparable sales approach and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Collateral is then adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and the client’s business, resulting in a Level 3 fair value classification. Collateral dependent loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional write-downs and are adjusted accordingly.

Enterprise value is defined as imputed value for the entire underlying business. To determine an appropriate range of enterprise value, FFB relies on a standardized set of valuation methodologies that take into account future projected cash flows, market based multiples as well as asset values. Valuations involve both quantitative and qualitative considerations and professional judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics in addition to other factors that may impact values over time (Level 3).

The value of business equipment is based on an outside appraisal, if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable borrower financial statements.  Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivable collateral are based on borrower financial statement balances or aging reports on a discounted basis as appropriate (Level 3).  

The fair value of collateral dependent loans is measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for credit losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

OREO. Assets acquired through loan foreclosure are recorded at fair value less costs to sell, with any difference between the fair value of the property and the carrying value of the loan recorded as a charge-off establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent changes in value are reported as adjustments to the carrying amount and are recorded in noninterest expense. The carrying value of OREO is not re-measured to fair value on a recurring basis, but is subject to fair value adjustments when the carrying value differs from the fair value, less estimated selling costs. Fair value is based on recent real estate appraisals and is updated at least annually. The Company classifies OREO in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Operating leases. First Financial performs assessments of the recoverability of long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable and therefore, the carrying value of Operating leases is re-measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. When evaluating whether an individual asset is impaired, First Financial considers the current fair value of the asset, the changes in overall market demand for the asset and the rate of change in
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advancements associated with technological improvements that impact the demand for the specific asset under review. First Financial determines whether the carrying values of certain operating leases are not recoverable and as a result, records an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the fair value. The fair value amounts are generally based on appraised values of the assets, resulting in a classification within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated financial statements were as follows:
 Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Assets/liabilities
at fair value
September 30, 2023
Assets    
Investment securities available-for-sale$32,141 $2,979,075 $33,145 $3,044,361 
Loans held for sale0 12,391 0 12,391 
Interest rate derivative contracts0 173,470 0 173,470 
Foreign exchange derivative contracts0 194,956 0 194,956 
Interest rate floor0 558 0 558 
Total$32,141 $3,360,450 $33,145 $3,425,736 
Liabilities    
Interest rate derivative contracts$0 $173,652 $0 $173,652 
Foreign exchange derivative contracts0 194,956 0 194,956 
Interest rate collars0 1,984 0 1,984 
Total$0 $370,592 $0 $370,592 

 Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Assets/liabilities
at fair value
December 31, 2022
Assets    
Investment securities available-for-sale$32,696 $3,341,095 $35,857 $3,409,648 
Loans held for sale0 7,918 0 7,918 
Interest rate derivative contracts0 152,846 0 152,846 
Foreign exchange derivative contracts0 204,882 0 204,882 
Total$32,696 $3,706,741 $35,857 $3,775,294 
Liabilities    
Interest rate derivative contracts$0 $153,119 $0 $153,119 
Foreign exchange derivative contracts$0 $204,882 $0 $204,882 
Total$0 $358,001 $0 $358,001 

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The following table presents a reconciliation for certain AFS securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

Three months endedNine months ended
September 30,September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2023202220232022
Beginning balance$34,132 $36,796 $35,857 $38,181 
Accretion (amortization)(30)(22)(84)(45)
Increase (decrease) in fair value(162)9 (119)34 
Settlements(795)(730)(2,509)(2,117)
Ending balance$33,145 $36,053 $33,145 $36,053 

Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Adjustments to the fair value of these assets usually result from the application of fair value accounting or write-downs of individual assets.  The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
 Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3
September 30, 2023
Assets   
Collateral dependent loans
Commercial$0 $0 $1,511 
Commercial real estate0 0 17,926 
OREO0 0 38 
Operating leases0 0 0 
 Fair value measurements using
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3
December 31, 2022
Assets   
Collateral dependent loans
Commercial$0 $0 $4,240 
Commercial real estate0 0 4,015 
OREO0 0 0 
Operating leases0 0 0 

Fair value option. First Financial may elect to report most financial instruments and certain other items at fair value on an instrument-by instrument basis with changes in fair value reported in net income. After the initial adoption, the election is made at the acquisition of an eligible financial asset, financial liability, or firm commitment or when certain specified reconsideration events occur. The fair value election may not be revoked once an election is made.

The Company elected the fair value option for residential mortgage loans held for sale. This election allows for a more effective offset of the changes in fair values of the loans held for sale and the derivative financial instruments used to financially hedge them without having to apply complex hedge accounting requirements. The fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale was determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets.

The aggregate fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $12.4 million and $7.9 million, respectively. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was $11.4 million and $7.5 million, respectively. The resulting difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate remaining principal balance for loans for which the fair value option has been elected was $1.0 million and $0.4 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

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Changes in the estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans held for sale are reported as a component of Net gain from sales of loans in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The change in fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale resulted in a loss of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively. The change in fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale resulted in a gain of $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and a net loss of $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

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ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)

All significant reclassifications of prior period amounts, if applicable, have been made to conform to the current period’s presentation and had no effect on the Company's previously reported net income or financial condition.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

First Financial Bancorp. is a $17.1 billion financial holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company primarily operates through First Financial Bank, an Ohio-chartered commercial bank with 130 full service banking centers at September 30, 2023. First Financial provides banking and financial services products to business and retail clients through its six lines of business: Commercial, Retail Banking, Mortgage Banking, Wealth Management, Investment Commercial Real Estate and Commercial Finance. The Commercial Finance business lends to targeted industry verticals on a nationwide basis. Operating under the brand of Yellow Cardinal Advisory Group, Wealth Management had $3.3 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2023 and provides the following services: financial planning, investment management, trust administration, estate settlement, business succession planning services, brokerage services and retirement planning.

Additional information about First Financial, including its products, services and banking locations, is available on the
Company's website at www.bankatfirst.com.

The major components of First Financial’s operating results for the current and prior year are discussed in greater detail in the sections that follow.

MARKET STRATEGY

First Financial develops a competitive advantage by utilizing a local market focus to provide superior service and build long-term relationships with clients while helping them achieve greater financial success. First Financial serves a combination of metropolitan and community markets in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois through its full-service banking centers. First Financial also has certain lending platforms that extend beyond the geographic banking center footprint to provide financing to franchise owners and clients within the financial services industry as well as equipment lease financing to commercial businesses. First Financial's investment in community markets is an important part of the Bank's core funding base and has historically provided stable, low-cost funding sources. 

First Financial’s market selection process includes multiple factors, but markets are primarily chosen for their potential for long-term profitability and growth.  First Financial intends to concentrate plans for future growth and capital investment within its current markets, and will continue to evaluate additional growth opportunities in metropolitan markets located within, or in close proximity to, the Company's current geographic footprint.  Additionally, First Financial may assess strategic acquisitions that provide product line extensions or additional industry verticals that complement its existing business and diversify its product suite and revenue streams.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

In the first quarter of 2023, First Financial purchased the assets of Brady Ware Capital, LLC (Brady Ware). Located in Miamisburg, Ohio, Brady Ware was an advisory firm for mergers and acquisitions, focusing primarily on business succession planning. First Financial acquired all of the assets of Brady Ware for aggregate consideration of approximately $4.3 million, consisting of $3.4 million in cash and a $0.9 million earn-out payment. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, the earn-out payments are payable annually for each of the five years following the closing of the acquisition, contingent upon the results of Brady Ware's operations.
The transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at estimated fair value on the acquisition date in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. Goodwill arising from the Brady Ware acquisition was $4.2 million and reflects the business’s growth potential and the expectation that the acquisition will provide additional revenue growth with the expansion of the Bank's advisory business. In May 2023, First Financial also acquired Brady Ware Corporate Finance, a broker-dealer and member of FINRA. First Financial recorded $0.1 million of goodwill in connection with the acquisition of Brady Ware Corporate Finance. The fair value measurements of Brady Ware assets and liabilities are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information relative to closing date fair values become available, and
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the measurement period ends in January 2024 for Brady Ware Capital. The measurement period for recording adjustments to the fair value of assets and liabilities ends in May 2024 for Brady Ware Corporate Finance.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The Company utilizes certain non-GAAP financial measures, which we believe provide useful insight to the reader of the Consolidated Financial Statements. These non-GAAP measures should be supplemental to primary GAAP measures and should not be read in isolation or relied upon as a substitute for the primary GAAP measures.

For analytical purposes, net interest income is presented in the following table adjusted to a tax equivalent basis assuming a 21% marginal tax rate. Net interest income is disclosed on a tax equivalent basis to consistently reflect income from tax-exempt assets, such as municipal loans and investments, in order to facilitate a comparison between taxable and tax-exempt amounts.  Management believes it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin and net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis as these measures provide useful information to make peer comparisons.

Three months endedNine months ended
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023June 30, 2022September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
Net interest income$155,455 $159,232 $474,005 $361,247 
Tax equivalent adjustment1,659 1,601 4,684 4,804 
Net interest income - tax equivalent$157,114 $160,833 $478,689 $366,051 
Average earning assets$14,404,144 $14,403,542 $14,378,394 $13,849,138 
Net interest margin (1)
4.28 %4.43 %4.41 %3.49 %
Net interest margin (FTE) (1)
4.33 %4.48 %4.45 %3.53 %
(1) Calculated using annualized net interest income divided by average earning assets.

In addition to capital ratios defined by the U.S. banking agencies, First Financial considers various measures when evaluating capital utilization and adequacy, including the return on average tangible shareholder's equity and the tangible common equity ratio. These calculations are intended to complement the capital ratios defined by the U.S. banking agencies for both absolute and comparative purposes and may be useful for evaluating the performance of a business as the ratios calculate the capital and return available to common shareholders without the impact of intangible assets and their related amortization. As GAAP does not include capital ratio measures, the Company believes there are no comparable GAAP financial measures to these ratios. These ratios are not formally defined by GAAP or codified in the federal banking regulations and, therefore, are considered to be non-GAAP financial measures.

First Financial encourages readers to consider its Consolidated Financial Statements in their entirety and not to rely upon any single financial measure.

The following table reconciles non-GAAP capital ratios to GAAP:
Three months endedNine months ended
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023June 30, 2023September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
Net income (a)
$63,061 $65,667 $199,131 $148,526 
Average total shareholders' equity2,153,601 2,137,765 2,124,787 2,137,615 
Less:
Average goodwill(1,005,844)(1,005,791)(1,005,783)(999,960)
Average other intangibles(87,427)(89,878)(89,945)(100,370)
Average tangible equity (b)
1,060,330 1,042,096 1,029,059 1,037,285 
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Three months endedNine months ended
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023June 30, 2023September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
Total shareholders' equity2,129,509 2,143,419 2,129,509 1,994,132 
Less:
Goodwill(1,005,868)(1,005,828)(1,005,868)(998,422)
Other intangibles(86,378)(88,662)(86,378)(96,528)
Ending tangible equity (c)
1,037,263 1,048,929 1,037,263 899,182 
Total assets17,054,852 17,090,149 17,054,852 16,623,793 
Less:
Goodwill(1,005,868)(1,005,828)(1,005,868)(998,422)
Other intangibles(86,378)(88,662)(86,378)(96,528)
Ending tangible assets (d)
15,962,606 15,995,659 15,962,606 15,528,843 
Risk-weighted assets (e)
13,170,574 13,068,888 13,170,574 12,467,422 
Total average assets16,951,389 16,968,055 16,954,178 16,253,031 
Less:
Average goodwill(1,005,844)(1,005,791)(1,005,783)(999,960)
Average other intangibles(87,427)(89,878)(89,945)(100,370)
Average tangible assets (f)
15,858,118 15,872,386 15,858,450 15,152,701 
Ending common shares outstanding (g)
95,117,180 95,185,483 95,117,180 94,833,964 
Ratios
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (a)/(b)
23.60 %25.27 %25.87 %19.14 %
Ending tangible shareholders' equity as a percent of:
Ending tangible assets (c)/(d)
6.50 %6.56 %6.50 %5.79 %
Risk-weighted assets (c)/(e)
7.88 %8.03 %7.88 %7.21 %
Average tangible shareholders' equity to average tangible assets (b)/(f)
6.69 %6.57 %6.49 %6.85 %
Tangible book value per share (c)/(g)
$10.91 $11.02 $10.91 $9.48 

OVERVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Linked quarter comparison: Third quarter 2023 net income was $63.1 million and earnings per diluted common share were $0.66. This compares with second quarter 2023 net income of $65.7 million and earnings per diluted common share of $0.69. Return on average assets was 1.48% for the third quarter of 2023 compared to 1.55% for the second quarter of 2023. Return on average shareholders’ equity was 11.62% for the third quarter of 2023 compared to 12.32% for the second quarter of 2023.

Year-to-date comparison: For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net income was $199.1 million and earnings per diluted common share were $2.09. This compares with net income of $148.5 million and earnings per diluted common share of $1.57 for the first nine months of 2022. Return on average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 1.57% compared to 1.22% for the same period in 2022, and return on average shareholders' equity was 12.53% and 9.29% for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

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(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023December 31, 2022
Balance Sheet - End of Period
Total assets$17,054,852 $17,003,316 
Loans and leases10,646,819 10,298,971 
Investment securities3,259,322 3,636,829 
Deposits12,915,553 12,701,177 
Shareholders' equity2,129,509 2,041,373 

Three months endedNine months ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)September 30, 2023June 30, 2023September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
Earnings
Net interest income$155,455 $159,232 $474,005 $361,247 
Net income63,061 65,667 199,131 148,526 
Per Share
Net income per common share-basic$0.67 $0.70 $2.12 $1.59 
Net income per common share-diluted0.66 0.69 2.09 1.57 
Cash dividends declared per common share0.23 0.23 0.69 0.69 
Book value per common share (end of period)22.39 22.52 22.39 21.03 
Tangible book value per common share (end of period) (1)
10.91 11.02 10.91 9.48 
Market price (end of period)19.60 20.44 19.60 21.08 
Ratios
Return on average assets1.48 %1.55 %1.57 %1.22 %
Return on average shareholders' equity11.62 %12.32 %12.53 %9.29 %
Return on average tangible shareholders' equity (1)
23.60 %25.27 %25.87 %19.14 %
Net interest margin4.28 %4.43 %4.41 %3.49 %
Net interest margin (FTE) (1)
4.33 %4.48 %4.45 %3.53 %
(1) Non-GAAP financial measure. For details on the calculation of this non-GAAP financial measure, see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section.

A discussion of First Financial's operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 follows.

NET INTEREST INCOME

First Financial’s principal source of income is net interest income, which is the excess of interest received from earning assets, including loan-related fees and purchase accounting accretion, minus interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The amount of net interest income is determined by the volume and mix of earning assets, the rates earned on such assets and the volume, mix and rates paid for the deposits and borrowed money that support the earning assets. Earning assets consist of interest-bearing loans to customers as well as marketable investment securities.
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Three months endedNine months ended
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023June 30, 2023September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
Interest income
Loans and leases, including fees$192,261 $184,387 $546,354 $306,443 
Investment securities
Taxable31,297 32,062 95,226 72,066 
Tax-exempt3,522 3,513 10,499 14,361 
Total interest on investment securities34,819 35,575 105,725 86,427 
Other earning assets5,011 3,933 12,488 2,222 
Total interest income232,091 223,895 664,567 395,092 
Interest expense
Deposits57,069 44,292 132,817 11,972 
Short-term borrowings14,615 15,536 43,101 8,041 
Long-term borrowings4,952 4,835 14,644 13,832 
Total interest expense76,636 64,663 190,562 33,845 
Net interest income$155,455 $159,232 $474,005 $361,247 

Linked quarter comparison: Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 was $155.5 million, a decrease of $3.8 million, or 2.4%, from the second quarter of 2023. Net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent basis for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was 4.33%, a decrease of 15 bp when compared to 4.48% in the second quarter of 2023. Net interest margin declined during the period as deposit pricing pressure led to an increase in interest expense during the period, which outpaced the increase in interest income.

Interest income increased $8.2 million, or 3.7%, in the third quarter of 2023 when compared to the second quarter of 2023 largely due to a 15 bp increase in loan yields, which were driven by an increase in interest rates. In addition, investment yields increased 6 bps to 4.07% due to the repricing of floating rate investments and slower prepayments on mortgage-backed securities. Average earning assets of $14.4 billion in the third quarter of 2023 were relatively flat when compared to the second quarter of 2023 as modest loan growth during the period was offset by a decline in investment securities.

Interest expense of $76.6 million increased $12.0 million, or 18.5%, in the third quarter of 2023 when compared to the second quarter of 2023 largely due to higher interest rates coupled with increases in time deposits and borrowings. The Company's total cost of interest bearing deposits increased 48 bps to 2.44% in the third quarter of 2023, while average deposit balances increased $73.3 million, or 0.6%, to $12.8 billion. The increase in average deposits was driven primarily by increases in money market accounts and retail CDs. Average borrowed funds decreased $120.6 million, or 7.9%.

To mitigate interest rate risk on certain variable-rate commercial loan pools, First Financial entered into interest rate collars and floors, which are designated as cash flow hedges. The structure of the interest rate collars is such that First Financial pays the counterparty an incremental amount if the collar index exceeds the cap rate. Conversely, First Financial receives an incremental amount if the index falls below the floor rate. No payments are required if the collar index falls between the cap and floor rates. The structure of First Financial's interest rate floors is such that First Financial receives an incremental amount if the index falls below the floor strike rate. No payments are required if the index remains above the floor strike rate.

The notional value of the Company's cash flow hedges was $600.0 million as of September 30, 2023, with the $1.8 million change in the fair value recorded in AOCI in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 30, 2023, the maximum length of time over which the Company is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows is 60 months.

Year-to-date comparison: Net interest income for the first nine months of 2023 increased $112.8 million, or 31.2%, compared to the same period of 2022. Net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent basis was 4.45% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of 92 bps when compared to the same period in 2022.

Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 grew $269.5 million, or 68.2%, to $664.6 million compared to $395.1 million for the same period of the prior year due to higher interest rates. Average earning assets of $14.4 billion for the first nine months of 2023 increased $529.3 million, or 3.8%, when compared to the same period of 2022, driven primarily by increases in the C&I loan portfolio.
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Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $190.6 million compared to $33.8 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase was driven by a $693.2 million, or 8.3%, increase in average interest bearing deposits coupled with a 177 bp increase in rates on those deposits. Additionally, average borrowed funds increased $381.7 million from the same period of the prior year, while the cost of those borrowed funds increased 258 bps due to higher interest rates.
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CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND NET INTEREST INCOME ANALYSIS
Quarterly AveragesYear-to-Date Averages
  September 30, 2023June 30, 2023September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
(Dollars in thousands)BalanceInterestYieldBalanceInterestYieldBalanceInterestYieldBalanceInterestYield
Earning assets   
Investments   
Investment securities$3,394,237 $34,819 4.07 %$3,560,453 $35,575 4.01 %$3,529,119 $105,725 4.01 %$4,142,157 $86,427 2.79 %
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks386,173 5,011 5.15 %329,584 3,933 4.79 %344,844 12,488 4.84 %295,174 2,222 1.01 %
Gross loans and leases (1)
10,623,734 192,261 7.18 %10,513,505 184,387 7.03 %10,504,431 546,354 6.95 %9,411,807 306,443 4.35 %
Total earning assets14,404,144 232,091 6.39 %14,403,542 223,895 6.23 %14,378,394 664,567 6.18 %13,849,138 395,092 3.81 %
Nonearning assets   
Allowance for credit losses(150,297)  (145,578)(144,149)(124,145)
Cash and due from banks211,670   221,527 217,281 239,219 
Accrued interest and other assets2,485,872   2,488,564 2,502,652 2,288,819 
Total assets$16,951,389   $16,968,055 $16,954,178 $16,253,031 
Interest-bearing liabilities   
Deposits   
Interest-bearing demand$2,927,416 $12,953 1.76 %$2,906,855 $8,351 1.15 %$2,913,737 $27,908 1.28 %$3,177,253 $3,737 0.16 %
Savings3,919,590 19,853 2.01 %3,749,902 14,055 1.50 %3,829,802 41,536 1.45 %4,085,787 4,052 0.13 %
Time2,446,854 24,263 3.93 %2,393,707 21,886 3.67 %2,325,244 63,373 3.64 %1,112,541 4,183 0.50 %
   Total interest-bearing deposits9,293,860 57,069 2.44 %9,050,464 44,292 1.96 %9,068,783 132,817 1.96 %8,375,581 11,972 0.19 %
Borrowed funds
Short-term borrowings1,064,669 14,615 5.45 %1,182,176 15,536 5.27 %1,112,426 43,101 5.18 %707,152 8,041 1.52 %
Long-term debt338,402 4,952 5.81 %341,523 4,835 5.68 %341,162 14,644 5.74 %364,693 13,832 5.07 %
   Total borrowed funds1,403,071 19,567 5.53 %1,523,699 20,371 5.36 %1,453,588 57,745 5.31 %1,071,845 21,873 2.73 %
Total interest-bearing liabilities10,696,931 76,636 2.84 %10,574,163 64,663 2.45 %10,522,371 190,562 2.42 %9,447,426 33,845 0.48 %
Noninterest-bearing liabilities  
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits3,493,305   3,663,419 3,702,189 4,187,145 
Other liabilities607,552   592,708 604,831 480,845 
Shareholders' equity2,153,601   2,137,765 2,124,787 2,137,615 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$16,951,389   $16,968,055 $16,954,178 $16,253,031 
Net interest income$155,455  $159,232 $474,005 $361,247 
Net interest spread  3.55 %3.78 %3.76 %3.33 %
Contribution of noninterest-bearing sources of funds  0.73 %0.65 %0.65 %0.16 %
Net interest margin (2)
  4.28 %4.43 %4.41 %3.49 %
Tax equivalent adjustment0.05 %0.05 %0.04 %0.04 %
 Net interest margin (fully tax equivalent) (2)
4.33 %4.48 %4.45 %3.53 %
(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.
(2) The net interest margin exceeds the interest spread as noninterest-bearing funding sources, demand deposits, other liabilities and shareholders' equity also support earning assets.
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RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS

The impact on net interest income from changes in interest rates and volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities is illustrated in the table below:
  
Changes for the three months ended September 30, 2023Changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2023
 Linked quarter income varianceComparable quarter income variance
(Dollars in thousands)RateVolumeTotalRateVolumeTotal
Earning assets   
Investment securities$552 $(1,308)$(756)$37,663 $(18,365)$19,298 
Interest-bearing deposits with other banks297 781 1,078 8,467 1,799 10,266 
Gross loans and leases (1)
3,811 4,063 7,874 183,082 56,829 239,911 
Total earning assets4,660 3,536 8,196 229,212 40,263 269,475 
Interest-bearing liabilities    
Total interest-bearing deposits$10,678 $2,099 12,777 110,693 10,152 120,845 
Borrowed funds  
Short-term borrowings516 (1,437)(921)19,358 15,702 35,060 
Long-term debt108 9 117 1,822 (1,010)812 
Total borrowed funds624 (1,428)(804)21,180 14,692 35,872 
Total interest-bearing liabilities11,302 671 11,973 131,873 24,844 156,717 
Net interest income
$(6,642)$2,865 $(3,777)$97,339 $15,419 $112,758 
(1) Loans held for sale and nonaccrual loans are included in gross loans.
NONINTEREST INCOME

Three months endedNine months ended
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023June 30, 2023September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
Noninterest income
Service charges on deposit accounts$6,957 $6,972 $20,443 $21,656 
Wealth management fees6,943 6,713 19,990 17,858 
Bankcard income3,406 3,692 10,690 10,644 
Client derivative fees1,612 1,827 4,444 3,619 
Foreign exchange income13,384 15,039 45,321 35,373 
Leasing business income14,537 10,265 38,466 20,450 
Net gain from sales of loans4,086 3,839 10,260 12,842 
Net gain (loss) on sales of investment securities(4)(384)(407)(176)
Net gain (loss) on equity securities(54)(82)4 (1,954)
Other5,761 5,377 16,218 13,294 
Total noninterest income$56,628 $53,258 $165,429 $133,606 

Linked quarter comparison: Third quarter 2023 noninterest income was $56.6 million, increasing $3.4 million, or 6.3%, compared to $53.3 million for the second quarter 2023. The increase from the linked quarter was primarily driven by higher leasing business income, partially offset by lower foreign exchange income. Leasing business income increased $4.3 million, or 41.6%, primarily driven by an increase in operating lease income and an increase in remarketing fees. Foreign exchange income decreased $1.7 million, or 11.0%, as demand softened from higher levels in the prior quarter.

Year-to-date comparison: Noninterest income of $165.4 million for the first nine months of 2023 increased $31.8 million, or 23.8%, from $133.6 million in the comparable period of 2022. The increase was primarily attributed to higher leasing business income, foreign exchange income, other noninterest income, wealth management fees and gains on equity securities. Leasing business income increased $18.0 million, or 88.1%, due to sustained growth in leasing balances since the acquisition of Summit in December of 2021, and foreign exchange income increased $9.9 million, or 28.1%, due to higher demand in 2023. Other noninterest income increased $2.9 million, or 22.0%, primarily due to BOLI gains and higher loan syndication fees in the current year; wealth management fees grew by $2.1 million, or 11.9%, primarily due to increases of managed assets; gains on equity securities increased $2.0 million, or 100.2%. Partially offsetting these increases, gains on sales of loans decreased $2.6 million, or 20.1%, from the comparable period in 2022 as demand for mortgage loans slowed with rising interest rates, while
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service charges on deposits were $1.2 million, or 5.6%, lower than prior year as a result of program changes made during 2022.

NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Three months endedNine months ended
(Dollars in thousands)September 30, 2023June 30, 2023September 30, 2023September 30, 2022
Noninterest expenses
Salaries and employee benefits$75,641 $74,199 $222,094 $195,747 
Net occupancy5,809 5,606 17,100 16,774 
Furniture and equipment3,341 3,362 10,020 9,990 
Data processing8,473 9,871 27,364 25,095 
Marketing2,598 2,802 7,560 6,546 
Communication744 644 2,022 1,993 
Professional services2,524 2,308 6,778 6,719 
State intangible tax981 964 2,930 3,311 
FDIC assessments2,665 2,806 8,297 5,021 
Intangible assets amortization2,600 2,601 7,801 8,612 
Leasing business expense8,877 6,730 23,545 14,302 
Other7,791 8,722 23,841 36,797 
Total noninterest expenses$122,044 $120,615 $359,352 $330,907 

Linked quarter comparison: Third quarter 2023 noninterest expense was $122.0 million, an increase of $1.4 million, or 1.2%, from $120.6 million for the second quarter 2023. This increase was primarily driven by higher leasing business expense and salaries and benefits, partially offset by lower data processing and other noninterest expenses. Leasing business expenses increased $2.1 million, or 31.9%, for the third quarter of 2023 as a result of increased production. Salaries and benefits expenses increased $1.4 million, or 1.9%, as a result of higher incentive compensation, which is tied to elevated fee income. Partially offsetting these increases, data processing costs decreased $1.4 million or 14.2%, due to online banking conversion costs incurred in the prior quarter. Other noninterest expenses decreased $0.9 million, or 10.7%, from the linked quarter primarily due to a $1.0 million tax credit investment write-down in the second quarter, partially offset by higher fraud losses.

Year-to-date comparison: Noninterest expenses of $359.4 million for the first nine months of 2023 increased $28.4 million, or 8.6%, compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due higher salaries and benefits expenses, leasing business expenses, FDIC assessments, marketing costs and data processing expenses, partially offset by lower other noninterest expense. Salaries and benefits expenses increased $26.3 million, or 13.5%, due to annual salary increases, higher incentive compensation and an increase in restricted stock awards in the current period. Leasing business expense increased $9.2 million, or 64.6%, as a result of the growth of the leasing portfolio, while FDIC assessments expense increased $3.3 million, or 65.2%, as the result of an increase in assessment rates. Data processing expenses increased $2.3 million, or 9.0%, largely due to the Company's online banking system conversion, while marketing expenses increased $1.0 million or 15.5%, due to increased promotional activity. Other noninterest expense decreased $13.0 million, or 35.2%, primarily due to larger tax credit investment write-downs and higher losses on sales of fixed assets in the prior year.

INCOME TAXES

Linked quarter comparison: In the third quarter of 2023, First Financial recorded income tax expense of $15.3 million on pre-tax income of $78.4 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 19.5%. This compared to income tax expense of $15.5 million on pre-tax income of $81.2 million with an effective tax rate of 19.1% for the second quarter 2023. The modest increase in the effective tax rate in the current quarter was primarily driven increased taxable income.

Year-to-date comparison: For the first nine months of 2023, income tax expense was $48.1 million on pre-tax income of $247.2 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 19.4%. This compared to income tax expense of $13.7 million on pre-tax income of $162.3 million and an effective tax rate of 8.5% for the comparable period in 2022. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily driven by tax credits realized in the 2022 as well as increased taxable income and the resolution of unrecognized tax benefits.

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The Company's effective tax rate may fluctuate from period to period due to changes in tax jurisdictions, forecasted income, tax-enhanced assets and tax credit investments.

INVESTMENTS

First Financial's investment portfolio totaled $3.3 billion, or 19.1% of total assets, at September 30, 2023 and $3.6 billion, or 21.4% of total assets, at December 31, 2022.  AFS securities totaled $3.0 billion at September 30, 2023 and $3.4 billion December 31, 2022, while HTM securities totaled $81.2 million at September 30, 2023 and $84.0 million at December 31, 2022.

The effective duration of the investment portfolio was 4.5 years at September 30, 2023, which was relatively unchanged from 4.6 years as of December 31, 2022.

The Company invests in certain securities whose realization is dependent on future principal and interest repayments. As such, these securities carry a certain amount of credit risk. Prior to purchase, First Financial performs a detailed collateral and structural analysis on these securities and strategically invests in asset classes in which First Financial has expertise and experience, as well as a senior position in the capital structure. First Financial continuously monitors credit risk and geographic concentration risk in its evaluation of market opportunities that enhance the overall performance of the portfolio.

The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements reflected a $375.7 million and $325.9 million unrealized after-tax loss on debt securities as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. These unrealized losses were included as a component of equity in accumulated other comprehensive income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and were driven by an increase in interest rates throughout 2022 and 2023.

The Company had net unrealized losses of $11.4 million and $7.5 million on its HTM securities as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Similar to the unrealized losses on AFS securities, this unrealized loss was driven by higher interest rates in 2022 and 2023. The unrealized losses on HTM securities have no impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

The Company had a $0.1 million unrealized loss on equity securities recorded in noninterest income for the three months ended both September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023. For the first nine months 2023, the Company had an insignificant unrealized gain on equity securities compared to a $2.0 million unrealized loss for the same period of 2022.

First Financial will continue to monitor loan demand and deposit activity, as well as balance sheet composition, capital sensitivity and the interest rate environment, when considering future investment strategies.

LOANS

Excluding loans held for sale, loan balances increased $347.8 million, or 3.4%, to $10.6 billion as of September 30, 2023 from $10.3 billion as of December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily driven by residential real estate loans, which increased by $201.2 million, or 18.4%, to $1.3 billion, and finance leases, which increased by $163.8 million, or 69.4%, to $400.0 million. Additionally, construction loans increased $66.8 million, or 13.0%, to $578.8 million; C&I loans increased $10.6 million, or 0.3%, to $3.4 billion; and home equity increased $10.2 million, or 1.4%, to $744.0 million. Partially offsetting these areas of loan growth, commercial real estate loans decreased $60.1 million, or 1.5%, to $4.0 billion, and installment loans decreased $49.2 million, or 23.5%, to $160.6 million.

Third quarter 2023 average loans of $10.6 billion, excluding loans held for sale, increased $106.7 million, or 1.0%, from the second quarter 2023. The growth over the linked quarter was primarily driven by residential real estate, which increased $79.2 million, or 6.7%, and lease financing, which increased $47.8 million, or 14.8%.
Through the first nine months of 2023, average loans of $10.5 billion, excluding loans held for sale, increased $1.1 billion, or 11.7%, from the comparable period of 2022. The increase from prior year reflected broad-based growth across most loan categories, including a $568.3 million, or 19.7%, increase in commercial loans; a $239.8 million or 25.3%, increase in residential real estate; a $179.9 million, or 131.9%, increase in lease financing; and a $66.1 million, or 14.1%, increase in real estate construction.

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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Off-balance sheet arrangements include commitments to extend credit and financial guarantees.  Loan commitments are agreements to extend credit to a client absent any violation of any condition established in the commitment agreement. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  First Financial had outstanding commitments to extend credit, including overdraft lending lines, totaling $4.5 billion at September 30, 2023 and $4.4 billion at December 31, 2022. As of September 30, 2023, commitments with a fixed interest rate totaled $111.5 million while commitments with variable interest rates totaled $4.4 billion. At December 31, 2022, commitments with a fixed interest rate totaled $126.3 million while commitments with variable interest rates totaled $4.2 billion. The fixed rate commitments have interest rates ranging from 0% to 21% and maturities ranging from less than 1 year to 31.1 years at September 30, 2023 and maturities ranging from less than one year to 31.6 years for December 31, 2022.

Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by First Financial to guarantee the performance of a client to a third party.  First Financial’s letters of credit consist primarily of performance assurances made on behalf of clients who have a contractual commitment to produce or deliver goods or services.  First Financial has issued letters of credit aggregating $32.4 million and $31.5 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Management conducts regular reviews of these instruments on an individual client basis.

First Financial is a party in risk participation transactions of interest rate swaps, which had total notional amount of $318.1 million and $379.3 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Under a risk participation agreement, the Company either assumes or sells a portion of the credit exposure associated with an interest rate swap with a counterparty. The Company's exposure is limited to instances where the loan customer defaults on its obligation to perform under the interest rate swap agreement.

First Financial is a limited partner in several tax-advantaged limited partnerships whose purpose is to invest in approved qualified affordable housing, renewable energy, or other renovation or community revitalization projects. These investments are included in accrued interest and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with any unfunded commitments included in accrued interest and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2023, First Financial expects to recover its remaining investments through the use of the tax credits that are generated by the investments. First Financial had unfunded commitments related to tax credit investments of $101.9 million and $84.3 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Additionally, as part of the ordinary course of business, First Financial and its subsidiaries are parties to litigation, including claims to the ownership of funds in particular accounts, the collection of delinquent accounts, challenges to security interests in collateral, foreclosure interests that are incidental to our regular business activities and other matters. While the ultimate liability with respect to these litigation matters and claims cannot be determined at this time, First Financial believes that damages, if any, and other amounts relating to pending matters are not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated as of September 30, 2023. Reserves are established for these various matters of litigation, when appropriate, under FASB ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, based in part upon the advice of legal counsel. First Financial had no reserves related to litigation matters as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

ASSET QUALITY AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Loans are classified as nonaccrual when, in the opinion of management, collection of principal or interest is doubtful or when principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due. Generally, loans are classified as nonaccrual due to a borrower's continued failure to adhere to contractual payment terms, coupled with other pertinent factors. When a loan is placed into nonaccrual status, any unpaid accrued interest is reversed and the recognition of interest income is suspended.

As detailed in Note 2, the Company prospectively adopted ASU 2022-02 effective as of January 1, 2023. The new rule eliminated the accounting for TDRs while establishing a new standard for the treatment of modifications made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties, defined by First Financial as FDMs. Effective with the adoption of the standard, the Company prospectively will not include FDMs in the calculation of nonperforming loans, nonperforming assets or classified assets. Prior period data, which included TDRs, has not been adjusted.

Nonaccrual loans were $74.9 million, or 0.70% of total loans, as of September 30, 2023, reflecting a $46.3 million, or 161.8%, increase from $28.6 million as of December 31, 2022. The increase in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to the downgrade of two large commercial real estate relationships and one large C&I relationship during the period. Nonperforming assets were $75.1 million, or 0.44% of total assets, at September 30, 2023 compared to $39.8 million, or 0.23% of total assets, at December 31, 2022.
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Classified assets, which are defined by the Company as nonperforming assets plus performing loans internally rated substandard or worse, totaled $140.6 million as of September 30, 2023 compared to $128.1 million at December 31, 2022. Classified assets were 82 bps as a percentage of total assets at September 30, 2023, compared to 75 bps as of December 31, 2022. Similar to the increase in nonaccrual loans, the increase in classified assets during the period was primarily due to the downgrade of two large commercial real estate relationships and one large C&I relationship during the period, partially offset by payoffs of one large C&I relationship and one large CRE relationship.

Allowance for credit losses. The ACL is a reserve accumulated on the Consolidated Balance Sheets through the recognition of the provision for loan and lease losses. First Financial records provision expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income to maintain the ACL at a level considered sufficient to absorb expected credit losses for financial assets in the portfolio over their expected remaining lives with consideration given to current and forward-looking information.

The recorded adjustments to remove or reduce values of the loans and leases from the Consolidated Balance Sheets due to credit deterioration are referred to as charge-offs. First Financial's policy is to charge-off all or a portion of a loan when, in management's opinion, it is unlikely to collect the principal amount owed in full either through payments from the borrower or from the liquidation of collateral. All loans charged-off are subject to continuous review and concerted efforts are made to maximize any recovery. In most cases, the borrower’s debt obligation is not canceled even though the loan balance may have been charged-off. Actual losses on loans and leases are posted against the ACL as a charge-off. Any subsequent collection of a previously charged-off loan is credited back to the ACL as a recovery.

Management estimates the allowance using relevant available information from both internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience paired with economic forecasts provide the basis for the quantitatively modeled estimation of expected credit losses. First Financial adjusts its quantitative model, as necessary, to reflect conditions not already considered therein. These adjustments are commonly known as the Qualitative Framework. The evaluation of these factors is the responsibility of the ACL committee, which is comprised of senior officers from the risk management, credit administration, finance and lending areas.

The Company utilized the Moody's September baseline forecast as its R&S forecast in the quantitative model at September 30, 2023. For reasonableness, the Company also considered the impact to the model from alternative, more adverse economic forecasts, slower prepayment speeds and increased default rates. These alternative analyses were utilized to inform the Company's qualitative adjustments. Additionally, First Financial considered its credit exposure to certain industries believed to be at risk for future credit stress, such as franchise, hotel and investor commercial real estate lending, when making qualitative adjustments to the ACL model.

The total ACL, which includes both funded and unfunded reserves, was $162.2 million at September 30, 2023 and $151.4 million as of December 31, 2022.

ACL - loans and leases. The ACL on loans and leases was $145.2 million as of September 30, 2023 and $133.0 million as of December 31, 2022. As a percentage of period-end loans, the ACL was 1.36% as of September 30, 2023 and 1.29% as of December 31, 2022. The increase in the ACL was driven by slower prepayment speeds, which effectively increased the duration of the loan portfolio, as well as loan growth and changes in economic forecasts.

In the third quarter of 2023, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $16.4 million, or 61 bp of average loans and leases on an annualized basis, compared to net charge-offs of $5.7 million, or 22 bps, for the second quarter of 2023. The elevated charge-offs in the third quarter included a $6.9 million loss on a single C&I loan whose business model was impacted by Covid, while another $6.1 million in charge-offs were incurred as the result of a $32 million loan sale consummated in an attempt manage portfolio risk. Through the first nine months of 2023, the Company recorded net charge-offs of $22.0 million, or 28 bp on an annualized basis compared to net charge-offs of $5.9 million, or 8 bps, for the same period of 2022.

The ACL as a percentage of nonaccrual loans was 193.8% at September 30, 2023 and 464.6% at December 31, 2022. The decrease in this ratio was primarily driven by a $46.3 million, or 161.8%, increase in nonaccrual loans during the period outpacing the increase in the reserve. The ACL as a percentage of nonperforming loans was 193.8% as of September 30, 2023 and 335.9% as of December 31, 2022. The decrease in this ratio was driven by the increase in nonaccrual loans, as well as the accounting change regarding FDMs.

Provision expense is a product of the Company's ACL model combined with net charge-off activity during the period. During the third quarter of 2023, the Company recorded $12.9 million of provision expense for loans and leases compared to provision expense of $12.7 million during the second quarter of 2023. The third quarter increase in provision expense was driven by
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higher net chargeoffs. Through the first nine months of 2023, the Company recorded a provision expense of $34.3 million compared to a provision recapture of $2.0 million for the same period of 2022.

ACL - unfunded commitments. The ACL on unfunded commitments was $17.0 million as of September 30, 2023 and $18.4 million as of December 31, 2022. First Financial recorded $1.2 million of provision recapture for credit losses on unfunded commitments for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $2.0 million of recapture in the second quarter 2023. Through the first nine months of 2023, the Company recorded provision recapture of $1.4 million compared to provision expense of $3.6 million for the same period of 2022.
See Note 5 – Allowance for Credit Losses in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of First Financial's ACL.

The table that follows includes the activity in the ACL for the quarterly periods presented.
 Three months endedNine months ended
 20232022September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)Sep. 30,June 30,Mar. 31,Dec. 31,Sep. 30,20232022
Allowance for credit loss activity 
Balance at beginning of period$148,646$141,591$132,977$124,096$117,885$132,977$131,992
Provision for loan losses12,90712,7198,6448,6897,89834,270(1,958)
Gross charge-offs
Commercial and industrial9,2072,3727303341,94712,3095,565
Lease financing769013013179152
Construction real estate0000000
Commercial real estate6,0082,6486624538,7223,422
Residential real estate102007911930145
Home equity542191724516688
Installment1,3491,5151,5247172944,388832
Credit card319274217212237810695
Total gross charge-offs17,0236,9402,6411,6592,65826,60410,899
Recoveries
Commercial and industrial335631109293901,075646
Lease financing111013349
Construction real estate0000000
Commercial real estate391532,2381,3275612,4302,977
Residential real estate44113661535223159
Home equity1252328088185437810
Installment879054682923197
Credit card4056636058159223
Total recoveries6711,2762,6111,8519714,5584,961
Total net charge-offs16,3525,66430(192)1,68722,0465,938
Ending allowance for credit losses$145,201$148,646$141,591$132,977$124,096$145,201$124,096
Net charge-offs to average loans and leases (annualized) 
Commercial and industrial1.02 %0.20 %0.07 %0.01 %0.24 %0.43 %0.23 %
Lease financing0.08 %0.11 %0.02 %0.00 %0.00 %0.07 %0.10 %
Construction real estate0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %
Commercial real estate0.59 %0.25 %(0.22)%(0.11)%(0.06)%0.21 %0.01 %
Residential real estate(0.01)%(0.03)%(0.02)%0.02 %0.03 %(0.02)%0.00 %
Home equity(0.04)%(0.12)%0.01 %(0.01)%(0.08)%(0.05)%(0.13)%
Installment3.05 %3.32 %2.89 %1.24 %0.64 %3.08 %0.69 %
Credit card1.82 %1.47 %1.12 %1.07 %1.29 %1.48 %1.16 %
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 Three months endedNine months ended
 20232022September 30,
(Dollars in thousands)Sep. 30,June 30,Mar. 31,Dec. 31,Sep. 30,20232022
Total net charge-offs0.61 %0.22 %0.00 %(0.01)%0.07 %0.28 %0.08 %
Nonperforming assets
Nonaccrual loans (1)
$74,941$53,721$34,580$28,623$36,327$74,941$36,327
Accruing troubled debt restructurings (2)
N/AN/AN/A10,96011,022N/A11,022
Total nonperforming loans(2)
74,94153,72134,58039,58347,34974,94147,349
Other real estate owned1422811911912214222
Total nonperforming assets (2)
75,08354,00234,77139,77447,37175,08347,371
Accruing loans past due 90 days or more698873159857139698139
Total underperforming assets (2)
$75,781$54,875$34,930$40,631$47,510$75,781$47,510
Total classified assets (2)
$140,552$138,909$158,984$128,137$114,956$140,552$114,956
Credit quality ratios
As a percent of period-end loans, net of unearned income:
Allowance for credit losses1.36 %1.41 %1.36 %1.29 %1.27 %1.36 %1.27 %
Nonaccrual loans0.70 %0.51 %0.33 %0.28 %0.37 %0.70 %0.37 %
Nonperforming loans0.70 %0.51 %0.33 %0.38 %0.48 %0.70 %0.48 %
Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans193.75 %276.70 %409.46 %464.58 %341.61 %193.75 %341.61 %
Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans193.75 %276.70 %409.46 %335.94 %262.09 %193.75 %262.09 %
(1) Nonaccrual loans include nonaccrual TDRs of $10.0 million and $12.8 million as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, respectively.
(2) Upon adoption of ASU 2022-02 as of January 1, 2023, the TDR model was eliminated. FDMs are excluded from nonperforming and classified asset balances,

DEPOSITS AND FUNDING

Total deposits were $12.9 billion as of September 30, 2023, an increase of $214.4 million, or 1.7%, from December 31, 2022. With the rise in interest rates, the Company's deposit mix has shifted to higher cost interest bearing deposit balances, with lower transaction deposit balances. As such, time deposits increased $872.2 million, or 51.3%, while savings deposits increased $195.3 million, or 5.1%. Noninterest bearing deposits decreased $696.6 million, or 16.8%, while interest bearing demand deposits decreased $156.5 million, or 5.2%, during the period.

Average deposits for the third quarter of 2023 were $12.8 billion, an increase of $73.3 million, or 0.6%, from $12.7 billion for the second quarter of 2023. Similar to the year to date discussion, the third quarter reflected further customer migration from noninterest bearing accounts into retail CD and money market accounts. As such, average savings deposits increased $169.7 million, or 4.5%, from the linked quarter; average time deposits increased $53.1 million, or 2.2%, increase; and interest bearing demand deposits increased $20.6 million, or 0.7%. These increases were partially offset by a $170.1 million, or 4.6%, decrease in average noninterest bearing deposits during the quarter.

Through the first nine months of 2023, average deposits increased $208.2 million, or 1.7%, when compared to the same period of 2022.

Uninsured deposit balances were $5.3 billion, or 40.7% of total deposits, as of September 30, 2023. The Company reviews uninsured deposits for concentration risk, and typically evaluates this risk by excluding public funds and intercompany deposits to arrive at an adjusted uninsured deposit amount. As such, excluding public funds and intercompany accounts, adjusted uninsured deposits were $3.0 billion, or 23.3% of total deposits, at the end of the third quarter.

First Financial maintains diverse funding sources, including Fed Funds, the Fed discount window, brokered CDs, FHLB borrowings and deposit placement services. The Company believes its funding capacity provides sufficient flexibility to respond to any event that would stress its deposit balances.
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Borrowed funds were $1.3 billion as of September 30, 2023 compared to $1.6 billion at December 31, 2022. Borrowings declined due to increases in deposits outpacing modest loan growth. First Financial had short-term borrowings of $1.0 billion and $1.3 billion as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Short-term borrowings with the FHLB were $0.8 billion at September 30, 2023 and $1.1 billion at December 31, 2022. There were no federal funds purchased included in short-term borrowings at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

Long-term debt, which may include subordinated notes, FRB/FHLB long-term advances or other borrowings, was $340.9 million and $346.7 million at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Outstanding subordinated debt totaled $312.3 million as of September 30, 2023 and $311.7 million as of December 31, 2022.

First Financial had no FHLB long-term advances at September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022. First Financial's total remaining borrowing capacity from the FHLB was $723.2 million as of September 30, 2023.

See Note 8 – Borrowings in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of First Financial's borrowed funds.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity management is the process by which First Financial manages the continuing flow of funds necessary to meet its financial commitments on a timely basis and at a reasonable cost. These funding commitments include withdrawals by depositors, credit commitments to borrowers, shareholder dividends, share repurchases, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Liquidity is derived primarily from deposit growth, principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities, maturing loans and investment securities, and access to wholesale funding sources.

First Financial’s most stable source of liability-funded liquidity for both long and short-term needs is deposit growth and retention of the core deposit base. In addition to core deposit funding, First Financial also utilizes a variety of other short and long-term funding sources, which include subordinated notes, longer-term advances from the FRB and FHLB and its short-term line of credit.

Both First Financial and the Bank received investment grade credit ratings from Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc, an independent rating agency. These credit ratings impact the cost and availability of financing to First Financial, and a downgrade to these credit ratings could affect First Financial's or the Bank’s ability to access the credit markets and potentially increase borrowing costs, negatively impacting financial condition and liquidity. Key factors in maintaining high credit ratings include consistent and diverse earnings, strong credit quality and capital ratios, diverse funding sources and disciplined liquidity monitoring procedures. The ratings of First Financial and the Bank at September 30, 2023 were as follows:
First Financial BancorpFirst Financial Bank
Senior Unsecured DebtBBB+A-
Subordinated DebtBBBBBB+
Short-Term DebtK2K2
DepositN/AA-
Short-Term DepositN/AK2

For ease of borrowing execution, First Financial utilizes a blanket collateral agreement with the FHLB. First Financial pledged $6.2 billion of certain eligible residential, commercial and farm real estate loans, home equity lines of credit and government, agency, and CMBS securities as collateral for borrowings from the FHLB as of September 30, 2023.  

First Financial's principal source of asset-funded liquidity is marketable investment securities, particularly those of shorter maturities. AFS securities were 97.4% and 97.6% of the total investment portfolio as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The market value of investment securities classified as AFS totaled $3.0 billion and $3.4 billion at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.  As of September 30, 2023, $1.6 billion of AFS securities were unpledged and there were $53.8 million of securities available to be sold at breakeven. Additionally, $624.4 million of AFS securities have floating rates and could be sold with minimal losses at September 30, 2023.

HTM securities that are maturing within a short period of time can be an additional source of liquidity. As of both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no HTM securities maturing within one year.
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In total, First Financial expects $662.5 million of cash flows from its investment portfolio in the next 12 months.

Other sources of liquidity include interest-bearing deposits with other banks. At September 30, 2023, these balances totaled $452.9 million. Additionally, First Financial had unused and available overnight wholesale funding sources of $5.2 billion, or 30.6% of total assets, to fund loan and deposit activities in addition to other general corporate requirements.

First Financial also has a $40.0 million short-term credit facility with an unaffiliated bank that matures in December, 2023. This facility has a variable interest rate and provides First Financial additional liquidity, if needed, for various corporate activities including the repurchase of First Financial common stock and the payment of dividends to shareholders. First Financial had no outstanding balance on this short-term credit facility as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The credit agreement requires First Financial to comply with certain covenants including those related to asset quality and capital levels, and First Financial was in compliance with all covenants associated with this facility as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. This credit facility also required First Financial to pledge as collateral the Bank's common stock where the lender is granted a security interest in this collateral.

Certain restrictions exist regarding the Bank's ability to transfer funds to First Financial in the form of cash dividends, loans, other assets or advances and the approval of the Bank's primary federal regulator is required to pay dividends in excess of regulatory limitations.  Dividends paid to First Financial from the Bank totaled $120.0 million for the first nine months of 2023.  As of September 30, 2023, the Bank had retained earnings of $896.5 million, of which $226.3 million was available for distribution to the Bancorp without prior regulatory approval. As an additional source of liquidity, First Financial had $118.1 million in cash at the parent company as of September 30, 2023.

Share repurchases also impact First Financial's liquidity. For further information regarding share repurchases, see the Capital section that follows.

Capital expenditures were $18.1 million and $9.8 million for the first nine months of 2023 and 2022, respectively. Management believes that sufficient liquidity exists to fund its future capital expenditure commitments.

Management is not aware of any other events or regulatory requirements that, if implemented, are likely to have a material effect on First Financial’s liquidity.

CAPITAL

Risk-based capital. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System approved Basel III in order to strengthen the regulatory capital framework for all banking organizations, subject to a phase-in period for certain provisions. Basel III established and defined quantitative measures to ensure capital adequacy. These measures require First Financial to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Common equity Tier 1 capital, Total and Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and Tier 1 capital to average assets (Leverage ratio).

Basel III includes a minimum ratio of Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 7.0% and includes a fully phased-in capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. Further, the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets is 8.5% and all banks are subject to a 4.0% minimum leverage ratio, while the minimum required Total risk-based capital ratio is 10.5%. Failure to maintain the required Common equity Tier 1 capital will result in potential restrictions on a bank’s ability to pay dividends, repurchase stock and pay discretionary compensation to its employees.  The capital requirements also provide strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments and change the method for calculating risk-weighted assets in an effort to better identify riskier assets, such as highly volatile commercial real estate and nonaccrual loans.

First Financial's tier 1 capital increased 77 bps to 11.94% at September 30, 2023 compared to 11.17% at December 31, 2022, while the total capital ratio increased to 13.51% at September 30, 2023 compared to 13.09% at December 31, 2022. The leverage ratio increased to 9.59% at September 30, 2023 from 8.89% at December 31, 2022. The Company’s tangible common equity ratio increased to 6.50% at September 30, 2023 from 5.95% at December 31, 2022. The 55 bp increase in the tangible common equity ratio was driven by the Company's strong earnings during the period.

As of September 30, 2023, management believes that First Financial met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject.  The Company's most recent regulatory notifications categorized First Financial as "well-capitalized" under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. There have been no conditions or events since those notifications that management believes have changed the Company's categorization. Total regulatory capital exceeded the minimum requirement by $396.1 million on a consolidated basis at September 30, 2023. 

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The following tables present the actual and required capital amounts and ratios as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 under the Basel III Capital Rules and include the minimum required capital levels based on the phase-in provisions of the Basel III Capital Rules. Capital levels required to be considered "well capitalized" are based upon prompt corrective action regulations, as amended to reflect the changes under the Basel III Capital Rules.
 ActualMinimum capital
required - Basel III		PCA requirement to be
considered well
capitalized
(Dollars in thousands)Capital
amount		RatioCapital
amount		RatioCapital
amount		Ratio
September 30, 2023      
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated$1,527,793 11.60 %$921,940 7.00 %N/AN/A
First Financial Bank1,676,250 12.73 %921,499 7.00 %$855,677 6.50 %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated1,572,248 11.94 %1,119,499 8.50 %N/AN/A
First Financial Bank1,676,657 12.74 %1,118,963 8.50 %1,053,141 8.00 %
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated1,778,993 13.51 %1,382,910 10.50 %N/AN/A
First Financial Bank1,718,338 13.05 %1,382,248 10.50 %1,316,426 10.00 %
Leverage ratio
Consolidated1,572,248 9.59 %655,473 4.00 %N/AN/A
First Financial Bank1,676,657 10.24 %655,033 4.00 %818,791 5.00 %
 ActualMinimum capital
required - Basel III		PCA requirement to be
considered well
capitalized
(Dollars in thousands)Capital
amount		RatioCapital
amount		RatioCapital
amount		Ratio
December 31, 2022      
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
Consolidated$1,399,420 10.83 %$904,626 7.00 %N/AN/A
First Financial Bank1,581,328 12.26 %903,244 7.00 %$838,726 6.50 %
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets     
Consolidated1,443,698 11.17 %1,098,475 8.50 %N/AN/A
First Financial Bank1,581,900 12.26 %1,096,796 8.50 %1,032,278 8.00 %
Total capital to risk-weighted assets   
Consolidated1,691,255 13.09 %1,356,939 10.50 %N/AN/A
First Financial Bank1,640,671 12.71 %1,354,865 10.50 %1,290,348 10.00 %
Leverage ratio   
Consolidated1,443,698 8.89 %649,636 4.00 %N/AN/A
First Financial Bank1,581,900 9.76 %648,607 4.00 %810,759 5.00 %

Shareholder dividends. First Financial paid a dividend of $0.23 per common share on September 15, 2023 to shareholders of record as of September 1, 2023. Additionally, First Financial's board of directors authorized a dividend of $0.23 per common share, payable on December 15, 2023 to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2023.

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Share repurchases. Effective January 2022, First Financial's board of directors approved a stock repurchase plan (the 2022 Stock Repurchase Plan), replacing the 2020 Repurchase Plan which became effective in January 2021. The 2022 Stock Repurchase Plan continues for two years and authorized the purchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock and will expire in December 2023. First Financial did not repurchase any shares under this plan in 2022 or through three quarters in 2023. Therefore, at September 30, 2023, all 5,000,000 common shares remained available for repurchase under the 2022 Stock Repurchase Plan.

Shareholders' equity. Total shareholders’ equity was $2.1 billion at September 30, 2023 and $2.0 billion at December 31, 2022.

For further detail, see the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity.

ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT

First Financial manages risk through a structured ERM approach that routinely assesses the overall level of risk, identifies specific risks and evaluates specific actions to mitigate those risks. First Financial continues to enhance its risk management capabilities and has embedded risk awareness into the culture of the Company.  First Financial has identified the following types of risk that it monitors in its ERM framework: credit, market (composed of interest rate, liquidity, capital, foreign exchange and financial risk), operational, compliance, strategic, reputation, information technology, cyber and legal.

For a full discussion of these risks, see the Enterprise Risk Management section in Management's Discussion and Analysis in First Financial’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The sections that follow provide additional discussion related to credit risk and market risk.

CREDIT RISK

Credit risk represents the risk of loss due to failure of a customer or counterparty to meet its financial obligations in accordance with contractual terms. First Financial manages credit risk through its underwriting process, periodically reviewing and approving its credit exposures using credit policies and guidelines approved by the board of directors.  

MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. The primary source of market risk for First Financial is interest rate risk and liquidity risk.

Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings and the value of the Company's equity arising from changes in market interest rates. Interest rate risk arises in the normal course of business to the extent that there is a divergence between the amount of interest-earning assets and the amount of interest-bearing liabilities that are prepaid, withdrawn, re-priced or mature in specified periods. First Financial seeks to achieve consistent growth in net interest income and equity while managing volatility from shifts in market interest rates.

First Financial monitors its interest rate risk position using income simulation models and EVE sensitivity analyses that capture both short-term and long-term interest rate risk exposure.  Income simulation involves forecasting NII under a variety of interest rate scenarios. EVE is calculated by discounting the cash flows for all balance sheet instruments under different interest-rate scenarios. First Financial uses EVE sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of changes in interest rates on long-term cash flows, income and capital.  For both NII and EVE modeling, First Financial leverages instantaneous parallel shocks to evaluate interest rate risk exposure across rising and falling rate scenarios. Additional scenarios evaluated include various non-parallel yield curve twists.

First Financial’s interest rate risk models are based on the contractual and assumed cash flows and repricing characteristics for the Company’s assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet exposure. A number of assumptions are also incorporated into the interest rate risk models, including prepayment behaviors and repricing spreads for assets in addition to attrition and repricing rates for liabilities. Assumptions are primarily derived from behavior studies of the Company’s historical client base and are continually refined. Modeling the sensitivity of NII and EVE to changes in market interest rates is highly dependent on the assumptions incorporated into the modeling process.

Non-maturity deposit modeling is particularly dependent on the assumption for repricing sensitivity known as a beta. Beta is the amount by which First Financial’s interest bearing non-maturity deposit rates will increase when short-term interest rates
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rise. The Company utilized a weighted average deposit beta of 40% in its interest rate risk modeling as of September 30, 2023. First Financial also includes an assumption for the migration of non-maturity deposit balances into CDs for all upward rate scenarios beginning with the +100 bps scenario, thereby increasing deposit costs and reducing asset sensitivity.

Presented below is the estimated impact on First Financial’s NII and EVE position as of September 30, 2023, assuming immediate, parallel shifts in interest rates:
% Change from base case for
 immediate parallel changes in rates
 -100 bps+100 bps+200 bps
NII-Year 1(6.50)%3.72 %6.07 %
NII-Year 2(5.98)%3.17 %4.70 %
EVE(1.63)%1.14 %2.38 %

“Risk-neutral” refers to the absence of a strong bias toward either asset or liability sensitivity. “Asset sensitivity” is when a company's interest-earning assets reprice more quickly or in greater quantities than interest-bearing liabilities. Conversely, “liability sensitivity” is when a company's interest-bearing liabilities reprice more quickly or in greater quantities than interest-earning assets. In a rising interest rate environment, asset sensitivity results in higher net interest income while liability sensitivity results in lower net interest income. In a declining interest rate environment, asset sensitivity results in lower net interest income while liability sensitivity results in higher net interest income.

The projected results for NII and EVE reflected an asset sensitive position, due to a strong funding mix of low cost transactional deposits supporting loans priced primarily off the short end of the rate curve. First Financial's total cost of deposits increased 40 bps in the quarter, and consequently, the down rate shock sensitivity declined. As deposit costs increase in the future, asset sensitivity is expected to moderate further. First Financial continues to manage its balance sheet with a bias toward asset sensitivity while simultaneously balancing the potential earnings impact of this strategy.

First Financial continually evaluates the sensitivity of its interest rate risk position to modeling assumptions. The following table reflects First Financial’s estimated NII sensitivity profile as of September 30, 2023 assuming a 25% increase and a 25% reduction to the beta assumption on managed rate deposits:
Beta sensitivity (% change from base)
+100 BP+200 BP
Beta 25% lowerBeta 25% higherBeta 25% lowerBeta 25% higher
NII-Year 14.65 %2.78 %6.97 %5.17 %
NII-Year 24.15 %2.19 %5.64 %3.75 %

See the Net Interest Income section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis for further discussion.

Liquidity risk is the potential that an entity will be unable to meet its obligations as they come due because of an inability to liquidate assets or obtain funding or that it cannot easily unwind or offset exposures without significantly lowering market prices because of inadequate market depth or market disruptions. Management focuses on maintaining and enhancing liquidity by maximizing collateral based liquidity availability. When managing liquidity risk, First Financial considers the trend and stability of deposits, the degree and utilization of short-term, volatile sources of funds, and reliance on borrowings or brokered deposits. Management identifies, measures, monitors and controls liquidity while seeking to maintain diversification of funding sources, both on- and off-balance-sheet.

The bank has continued to update liquidity risk management processes, such as refining the contingency funding plan, proactively meeting frequently, securing additional contingent borrowing capacity, and developing additional ad hoc liquidity reporting to monitor funding inflows and outflows. Management closely monitors overall loan and deposit trends as the broader macroeconomic environment responds to changing monetary policy. For further discussion of the Company's liquidity, please see the Liquidity section within Management's Discussion and Analysis.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

First Financial’s Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared based on the application of the Company's accounting policies.  These policies require the reliance on estimates and assumptions which are inherently subjective and may be susceptible to significant change.  Changes in underlying factors, assumptions or estimates could have a material impact on First Financial’s future financial condition and results of operations. In management’s opinion, certain accounting policies have a more significant impact than others on First Financial’s financial reporting.  For First Financial, these policies currently include accounting for the ACL - loans and leases, goodwill, pension and income taxes.  These accounting policies are discussed in detail in the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis in First Financial’s 2022 Annual Report.  There were no changes to the accounting policies for the ACL, goodwill, pension or income taxes during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2023.

ACCOUNTING AND REGULATORY MATTERS

Note 2 - Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Standards in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements discusses new accounting standards adopted by First Financial in 2023 and 2022, as well as the expected impact of accounting standards issued but not yet adopted.  To the extent the adoption of new accounting standards materially affects financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, the impacts are discussed in the applicable Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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

•current and future economic and market conditions, including the effects of changes in housing prices, fluctuations in unemployment rates, U.S. fiscal debt, budget and tax matters, geopolitical matters, 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 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.

These and other risk factors are more fully described in First Financial's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 under the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and from time to time, in other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, First Financial undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.







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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information contained in “Item 2-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk” of this report is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under
Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are designed to cause the material information required to be disclosed by First Financial in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to be recorded, processed, summarized, and reported to the extent applicable within the time periods required by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, First Financial performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in First Financial's internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, First Financial's internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings.

There have been no material changes to the disclosure in response to "Part I - Item 3. Legal Proceedings" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Item 1A.Risk Factors.

There are a number of factors that may adversely affect the Company's business, financial results, or stock price. See "Risk Factors" as disclosed in response to "Item 1A. to Part I - Risk Factors" of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On January 27, 2022, the Board announced that it authorized a stock repurchase plan that provided for the purchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company (the 2022 Stock Repurchase Plan). The 2022 Stock Repurchase Plan became effective January 1, 2022, upon the expiration of the previously authorized stock repurchase plan, and expires December 31, 2023. The Company did not purchase any shares under the 2022 Stock Repurchase Plan in the second quarter of 2023.

Item 5.    Other Information.

During the three months ended September 30, 2023, none of the Company's officers or directors adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.”



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Item 6.         Exhibits
(a)Exhibits:
Exhibit Number
3.1
3.2
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INSXBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. *
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema. *
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase. *
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase. *
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase. *
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. *
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). *
First Financial will furnish, without charge, to a security holder upon request a copy of the documents and will furnish any other Exhibit upon payment of reproduction costs.  Unless as otherwise noted, documents incorporated by reference involve File No. 001-34762.

*    As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.

** Compensatory plan or arrangement
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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.
  (Registrant)
   
/s/ James M. Anderson  /s/ Scott T. Crawley
James M. Anderson Scott T. Crawley
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Senior Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
Date11/3/2023Date11/3/2023

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