TABLE OF CONTENTS UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934 Commission File Number 001-34762 FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Ohio 31-1042001 (State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.58, a return on assets of 1.34%, and an efficiency ratio of 60.2% for Q4 2021 [8][17] - There was a significant provision recapture of $7.7 million, reflecting improved credit quality trends, with classified assets decreasing by 36.7% [8][26] - Core loan growth was approximately $149 million or 6.3% annualized, marking the strongest quarter of the year [11][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee revenue was strong, driven by record foreign exchange income from the Bannockburn unit, which offset a seasonal drop in mortgage income [9][14] - Loan origination activity improved to record levels, approximately 27% higher than Q3, with commercial groups leading the growth [9][11] - Non-interest expenses increased due to elevated incentive compensation tied to higher fee income and overall company performance [15][25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average deposit balances increased by $218 million during the quarter, primarily from non-interest bearing deposits and public funds [22] - The net interest margin declined by 9 basis points to 3.23%, primarily due to lower asset yields and a decline in PPP forgiveness fees [18][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company completed the acquisition of Summit Funding Group, which is expected to provide significant growth opportunities and enhance its lending platform [6][7] - The company anticipates loan demand to remain strong, especially in commercial businesses, with expected mid-single-digit growth in loan balances excluding PPP and Summit [30] - The focus remains on executing core strategies, delivering exceptional service, and capitalizing on momentum achieved in 2021 [35] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's prospects for growth in 2022, particularly in a rising interest rate environment [36] - The company expects further improvement in credit quality trends and additional provision recapture in the near term, albeit at a slower pace than in the latter half of 2021 [33][34] - Management noted that the acquisition of Summit is expected to have a minimal impact on 2022 earnings initially, with a stronger contribution anticipated as the year progresses [34][52] Other Important Information - The company paused its share repurchase program due to the Summit acquisition but has authorized an additional 5 million shares for repurchase in the future [15][29] - Non-interest income for Q4 remained elevated, driven by strong performance in Bannockburn and wealth management [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin stability and impact of rate hikes - Management indicated that without rate hikes, the margin would remain relatively flat, but each 25 basis point hike could initially increase the margin by about 8 basis points [39][40] Question: Deposit beta assumptions - The overall weighted beta for deposits is expected to be around 20%, with higher betas for money market accounts and public funds [42] Question: Loan sales strategy - The decision to sell hotel loans was based on portfolio risk assessment, focusing on properties with higher short and medium-term risks [44][45] Question: Efficiency ratio outlook - The efficiency ratio is expected to rise slightly without rate hikes but could improve significantly with anticipated rate increases [47][48] Question: Summit acquisition impact - The acquisition is expected to initially have a slight negative impact on EPS due to fixed costs and amortization, but should become neutral as the balance sheet builds [52] Question: Overdraft policy changes - The company has lowered overdraft fees and increased the cushion before overdraft charges, anticipating an 8% to 10% decline in overdraft revenue [67][68]

Table of Contents 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, 2021 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 (NASDAQ:FFBC) Q3 2021 Earnings Conference Call October 22, 2021 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Scott Crawley - Corporate Controller Archie Brown - President and CEO Jamie Anderson - CFO Conference Call Participants Scott Siefers - Piper Sandler Terry McEvoy - Stephens Chris McGratty - KBW Jon Arfstrom - RBC Capital Markets Operator Good morning or good afternoon all, and welcome to First Financial Bancorp Third Quarter Earnings Call and Webcast. My name is Adam, and I’ll be your ope ...

Table of Contents 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 June 30, 2021 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 (NASDAQ:FFBC) Q2 2021 Earnings Conference Call July 23, 2021 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Scott Crawley - Corporate Controller Archie Brown - President and Chief Executive Officer Jamie Anderson - Chief Financial Officer Bill Harrod - Chief Credit Officer Conference Call Participants Scott Siefers - Piper Sandler Jon Arfstrom - RBC Capital Markets Daniel Tamayo - Raymond James Chris McGratty - KBW Terry McEvoy - Stephens Operator Good morning, and welcome to First Financial Bancor ...

Table of Contents 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, 2021 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 (NASDAQ:FFBC) Q1 2021 Earnings Conference Call April 23, 2021 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Scott Crawley - Corporate Controller Archie Brown - President and Chief Executive Officer Jamie Anderson - Chief Financial Officer Bill Harrod - Chief Credit Officer Conference Call Participants Scott Siefers - Piper Sandler Chris McGratty - KBW Jon Arfstrom - RBC David Long - Raymond James Operator Good morning, and welcome to the First Financial Bancorp First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conferen ...

TABLE OF CONTENTS UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934 Commission File Number 001-34762 FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORP. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Ohio 31-1042001 (State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification ...

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) Q4 2020 Earnings Conference Call January 29, 2021 8:30 AM ET Company Participants Scott Crawley - Corporate Controller Archie Brown - President & Chief Executive Officer Jamie Anderson - Chief Financial Officer Bill Harrod - Chief Credit Officer Conference Call Participants Scott Siefers - Piper Sandler Jon Arfstrom - RBC Capital Chris McGratty - KBW David Long - Raymond James Operator Good day and welcome to the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Earnings Call and Webc ...