Summary of First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) Conference Call on Acquisition of Westfield Bancorp Company and Industry - **Company**: First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) - **Acquisition Target**: Westfield Bancorp - **Industry**: Banking and Financial Services Core Points and Arguments 1. **Acquisition Announcement**: FFBC announced the acquisition of Westfield Bancorp from Ohio Farmers Insurance Company, enhancing its presence in the Cleveland, Ohio market [2][3] 2. **Financial Impact**: The acquisition will more than triple FFBC's loan commitments in Northeast Ohio to approximately $1.5 billion and add $1.5 billion in local deposits [3][4] 3. **Branch Network and Talent**: The deal provides FFBC with a highly efficient branch network and talent across multiple business lines, positioning it as a premium alternative to larger banks [3][4] 4. **Earnings Accretion**: The acquisition is financially attractive with strong earnings accretion and a tangible book value earn back within acceptable parameters [4][8] 5. **Asset Quality**: Westfield has a strong record regarding asset quality, with net charge-offs averaging four basis points over the last five years, aligning with FFBC's lending and credit administration approach [5][6] 6. **Market Position**: Post-acquisition, FFBC will become the fourth largest Ohio-based banking company and the only community bank among the top eight banks in the state [6][8] 7. **Transaction Structure**: The transaction is structured as approximately 80% cash and 20% stock, with shareholder approval from Ohio Farmers already received [7][8] 8. **Future Growth Opportunities**: FFBC anticipates significant growth opportunities in consumer lending, wealth management, and specialty banking post-acquisition [10][49] Additional Important Content 1. **Cultural Compatibility**: Both companies share a strong commitment to associates, clients, and communities, which is expected to facilitate the integration process [5][6] 2. **Cost Savings and Renovations**: Initial branch renovations are estimated at $800,000, with plans for branding refreshes post-merger [17][18] 3. **NIM Strategy**: FFBC aims to rebuild the net interest margin (NIM) to around 4% by remixing acquired loans and enhancing commercial product offerings [19][20] 4. **Credit Quality**: The acquisition is expected to slightly improve charge-off rates due to Westfield's strong credit history [41][42] 5. **Future Acquisition Appetite**: FFBC remains open to future acquisitions, depending on size and timing, while maintaining a target tangible common equity (TCE) ratio of 7.5% [30][54] 6. **CECL Adoption**: The impact of the new CECL accounting standard is currently uncertain, but it is not expected to significantly affect the acquisition due to Westfield's clean credit profile [61][62] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call regarding the acquisition of Westfield Bancorp by First Financial Bancorp, highlighting the strategic, financial, and operational implications of the deal.

First Financial Bancorp ("First Financial") has agreed to acquire Westfield Bancorp, which has $2.2 billion in assets, the holding company of Westfield Bank, FSB. This expands First Financial's ability to serve the geographically attractive communities of Northeast Ohio. The acquisition will grow First Financial to a $20.6 billion Midwest-based institution, with a broad suite of capabilities for retail and business clients and a focus on community. All Westfield Bank retail locations will remain open and w ...

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 March 31, 2025 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) Ohi ...

First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system ...

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Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings per share was $0.63, with a return on assets of 1.33% and a return on tangible common equity of 17.8% [7] - Net interest margin was strong at 3.88%, a decline of six basis points from the previous quarter [17][24] - Non-interest expenses decreased by 3.3% due to lower incentive compensation and fraud losses [10][31] - Tangible book value per share increased to $14.80, representing a 5% increase from the linked quarter and 18% year-over-year [13][35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan balances were stable, with first-quarter loan production being seasonally lower [8] - Fee income was $61 million, a decline from the linked quarter due to seasonal fluctuations and less foreign exchange income [9][19] - Average deposit balances decreased by $99 million, primarily due to a seasonal decline in public funds [18][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintained 21% of total balances in non-interest-bearing accounts and focused on growing lower-cost deposit balances [18] - Non-performing assets declined by 9.5%, indicating improvements in asset quality metrics [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on growing tangible book value, which has increased by 35% over the last three years [13] - The company received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for Associate Engagement, reflecting its commitment to employee engagement [14] - The company is in discussions regarding potential M&A opportunities, although current uncertainty may prolong these discussions [52] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects modest loan growth in the second quarter, with healthy pipelines in consumer, C&I, and ICRE lines of business [8][37] - The company anticipates net interest margin to expand to a range between 3.95% and 4.05% in the next quarter, assuming a 25 basis point rate cut [39] - Management remains optimistic about the year overall despite economic uncertainties [41] Other Important Information - The company’s capital ratios are strong, with all regulatory ratios well above minimums [12][35] - The company is closely monitoring the impact of tariffs on clients and their operations [12][86] Q&A Session Summary Question: Steps to reduce asset sensitivity on the balance sheet - Management indicated that the balance sheet is asset sensitive and discussed the impact of rate cuts on deposit costs and net interest margin [46][48] Question: Changes in view toward capital deployment amid tariff uncertainty - Management noted increased M&A discussions but acknowledged that current uncertainty may slow down these discussions [51][52] Question: Review process for C&I credits and specific trends - Management highlighted a significant charge-off related to a specific industry and noted healthy workouts of classified loans [60][61] Question: Outlook for loan growth in the back half of the year - Management adjusted loan growth expectations for the year to 4% to 5% due to elevated payoffs [73][78] Question: Credit charge-offs and normalized expectations - Management expects charge-offs to stabilize in the range of 25 to 30 basis points, with improving trends in asset quality [81][82] Question: Exposure to tariffs and portfolio monitoring - Management is actively engaging with clients to understand the impact of tariffs and is monitoring specific sectors for potential risks [86][88]

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) Q1 2025 Earnings Conference Call April 25, 2025 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Scott Crawley - Corporate Controller Archie Brown - President and CEO Jamie Anderson - CFO Bill Harrod - Chief Credit Officer Conference Call Participants Andrew Leischner - KBW Terry McEvoy - Stephens Inc. Daniel Tamayo - Raymond James Karl Shepard - RBC Capital Markets Kelvin Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for standing by. My name is Kelvin, and I will be your conferenc ...

For the quarter ended March 2025, First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) reported revenue of $201.59 million, up 3.3% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.63, compared to $0.59 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of -5.53% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $213.4 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.63, the company has not delivered EPS surprise.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they ...

Core Viewpoint - First Financial Bancorp (FFBC) reported quarterly earnings of $0.63 per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and showing an increase from $0.59 per share a year ago [1] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $201.59 million for the quarter ended March 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.53%, compared to $195.25 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Over the last four quarters, First Financial has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times and topped consensus revenue estimates two times [2] Stock Performance - First Financial shares have declined approximately 11.4% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 8.6% [3] - The current Zacks Rank for the stock is 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.66 on revenues of $216.9 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $2.64 on revenues of $873.2 million [7] - The estimate revisions trend for First Financial is mixed, and changes in estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year are anticipated following the recent earnings report [6][7] Industry Context - The Banks - Midwest industry, to which First Financial belongs, is currently in the top 10% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook for stocks in this sector [8]

CINCINNATI, April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First Financial Bancorp. (Nasdaq: FFBC) announced today that it expects to release first quarter 2025 financial results after the market close on Thursday, April 24, 2025. A teleconference and webcast to discuss these results will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time. Teleconference and Webcast Information  Date:  Friday, April 25, 2025 Time:  8:30 a.m. Eastern time Teleconference Dial-In: (Access Code: 5048068) 1-888-5 ...