First Financial Bancorp.(US:FFBC)2026-01-29 14:30Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings per share for Q4 2025 were $0.80, with an adjusted return on assets of 1.52% and an adjusted return on tangible common equity of 20.3% [4] - The net interest margin slightly declined to 3.98%, while total average deposits increased by approximately 7% on an annualized basis, excluding the impact from the Westfield acquisition [4][6] - For the full year 2025, adjusted net income was $281 million or $2.92 per share, with record revenue of almost $922 million, an 8% increase over 2024 [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total adjusted fee income for Q4 was $77 million, a 5% increase compared to the linked quarter, driven by strong performance in wealth management and foreign exchange [5][9] - Non-interest expenses increased by 6% from the linked quarter, primarily due to the Westfield acquisition [5][12] - Adjusted non-interest income for the full year increased by 16% to a record $280 million, led by growth in wealth management, foreign exchange, and mortgage income [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth for Q4 was 4% on an annualized basis, with total deposit balances increasing by $2 billion, including $1.8 billion from the Westfield acquisition [8] - The company maintained 21% of total balances in non-interest-bearing accounts, focusing on growing lower-cost deposit balances [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company expects organic loan growth to be in the 6%-8% range for the full year 2026, with a focus on integrating recent acquisitions and expanding in key markets [16][17] - The launch of a new banking office in Grand Rapids and the acquisition of two banking companies are part of the strategy to strengthen core funding and provide a platform for growth in metropolitan markets [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's performance and outlook, anticipating easing payoff pressure and stable credit costs in the first quarter of 2026 [16] - The net interest margin is expected to remain among the highest in the peer group, projected to be between 3.94% and 3.99% over the next quarter [16] Other Important Information - The company issued $300 million of subordinated debt during Q4, with a 10-year maturity and a 6.38% interest rate [8] - Asset quality remained stable, with non-performing assets slightly increasing to 0.48% of assets [5][10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Fee income guidance for the rest of the year - Management acknowledged seasonality in fee income, particularly in foreign exchange, and expects growth in the back half of 2026 [21][24] Question: Growth plans in Grand Rapids - The company has ramped up loan commitments and is planning to establish a full banking office, adding mortgage and wealth banking services [28][30] Question: Loan growth outlook confirmation - Management confirmed that the projected 6%-8% growth is on an organic basis, excluding acquired balances [36][39] Question: Margin outlook and purchase accounting impact - The purchase accounting impact from Westfield is expected to hold at four basis points, with minimal impact from BankFinancial [40][41] Question: Efficiency ratio trends - The efficiency ratio is expected to be in the mid-50 range in the back half of the year, influenced by the integration of acquisitions [65][68]